(I am the customer in this story. The vet sells cat and dog food in the lobby. Though my mum takes my cat here when he’s ill and comes to buy food, I have never been to buy food before.)

Me: *picks up a large bag of cat food and takes it to the desk* “I’ll have this, please!”

Vet’s Receptionist: “That’ll be £15.00 please.”

Me: “Okay, great.” *I pay*

Vet’s Receptionist: “We have to note down sales in this book. Can I have your surname and your cat’s name, please?”

Me: *without thinking, I look up in surprise and say* “Huh? How did you know I have a cat?!”

Vet’s Receptionist: “Well… unless you plan on eating that yourself…”

This story is part of our Take Your Cat To The Vet roundup!

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(I am the groomer at a veterinary hospital. Midway through my shift, I go to grab a cat I have scheduled for a bath. To keep their stress to a minimum there is a room that is exclusively for cats. All boarding and grooming cats are kept there. As soon as I enter the room, the cat is already growling and hissing. Take note: the cat has a short coat and the hair looks very shiny. After a quick glance at the chart I call up the owner.)

Me: “[Cat] is already a little grumpy, so I’m a bit hesitant to work on him. I don’t want to stress him out any more than I have to. His coat looks pretty clean. Was there a particular reason you wanted him washed today?”

Client: “Well, my dogs are there to get groomed all the time, getting their spa days. I didn’t want him feeling left out…”

This story is part of our Take Your Cat To The Vet roundup!

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(I’m the groomer at a veterinary hospital. I get paged to reception to answer a question.)

Me: “Thanks for waiting. What can I do for you?”

Customer: “Yeah, I was wondering if you offered mud baths?”

Me: “Mud baths?”

Customer: “Well, my dog’s coat is so dry, and my skin is always so nice after one, so I was wondering if you gave mud baths to dogs?”

Me: “Um, no. If I did, I would just have to wash it all off right after, so it would be a bit counterproductive. If the skin or coat is dry I would recommend a shampoo with oatmeal.”

Customer: “Oh, that makes sense! Thanks for your time!” *walks out*

This story is part of our Take Your Dog To The Vet roundup!

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(A customer comes in and is very concerned about the “tumor” on her male dog’s stomach.)

 Me: “That’s not a tumor, ma’am. It’s called a bulbus glandus. It just means he’s, um, really happy to see you.”

This story is part of our Take Your Dog To The Vet roundup!

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(I’ve just started working on the reception and a customer comes rushing in.)

Customer: “Oh, my god, you have to help. I’ve just run over a cat!”

Me: “I think the vet is still in the building. If you bring the cat straight through to the back I’ll run and get him.”

Customer: “I don’t have it with me!”

Me: “Is someone else bringing it in? How injured is it? We can get everything ready.”

Customer: “I don’t know. It’s on [motorway at least 10 miles away], and I just wanted you to let the owner know.”

Me: “So… you hit it on the motorway? And you want me to find the owner and let them know?”

Customer: “Yes, please. I already feel terribly guilty and would feel worse knowing the owner didn’t know.”

Me: “Okay, I’ll do my best. Thanks?”