Animal Testing

I work in a store that sells all kinds of items from clothing to souvenirs and more. We also sell chocolate. This is important for the story.

 A customer comes in asking if we have a particular item in stock. She comes in with a small dog, which is fine so long as they are behaved and not causing a ruckus, and we start talking about the product. I tell her it’s out of stock and am telling her the options, when her small dog starts barking. Not a big issue, the little fella just wants attention and pets.

The customer picks up her dog, and I, being at the chocolate counter (everything is closed off and out of reach), give the dog a few pets with permission. Of course, the canine is curious about the many smells of the forbidden snack known as chocolate.

Me: “Aw, buddy, there is a bunch of stuff back here that’ll make you sick!”

The dog, now having curiosity satisfied, is put back down by the customer, who promptly tells me this:

Customer: “Oh, dogs not eating chocolate is a myth, you know.”

Me: *Baffled.* “Oh?”

Customer: “Yeah, I’ve fed my dog chocolate, and it’s been just fine!”

Me: *Knowing this is not a battle I am choosing to participate in.* “Oh.”

Customer: “Yeah, same with grapes! My friend asked why dogs can’t eat chocolate, and I said, “I don’t know!” So we did an experiment, and it’s just fine!”

For those who don’t know, grapes have an acid that’s toxic to dogs’ kidneys specifically, and for chocolate, it’s theobromine. On the outside, I have my nodding-along customer service face. Internally? I’m mortified for this dog.

And as if it could not get any worse, as the customer is leaving, she comments:

Customer: “He doesn’t have any of his shots, so that might have something to do with it!”

I’m too gobsmacked to even give out my usual good-bye as she leaves. Some people really should not own animals.