Death of the Happy

So, world, tonight was hell.

It started out well enough - I was even downright jubilent as I pranced into work earlier this evening.

And I do mean pranced. I had good reason to be happy! I finally found a hairclip that will hold all my hair in place! All those baby-fine strands that seem to defy gravity and hairspray...finally tucked into place!

I clocked in. Helped a few customers. Ohhed and Awwed at so-and-so's new puppy.

Then guess what happened world? Guess what?

My happy died a horrible and horrific death.

It started simply enough. Nine times out of ten, when a person wants to buy a turtle from us, they have no idea what the hell they're getting into.

We sell red-eared sliders. People don't seem to realize that these things can't live in a tupperware container. They also don't realize that they'll have to spend some major money for that cute little $19.99 turtle.

So, after arguing with a customer that no, she cannot just buy the turtle and keep it in a tupperware til her payday comes, and yes, I can very well refuse her sale, I was slightly peeved.
But hey, no biggie. One rotten customer does not an unhappy Nyx make.

Cut to annoying customer number two.

If I had a nickel for everytime a kid threw a tantrum in our store, I'd be rich. Very rich.

Bathing in godiva if I were so inclined rich.

Kid wanted a guinea pig. Didn't realize that they require a cage. They apparently thought it could live in 10 gallon fishtank.

Er...no. Just no.

Luckily, Mommy realized that the nice saleswoman (whose left eye had begun to tick by now) was right, and they decided on a betta fish.

Good choice, Mommy.

I swear, we don't make this stuff up. When we say you need something for an animal, you really do need it. I promise. We aren't scamming you.

Cut to later in that evening. I had a downright pleasant talk with another customer about his iguanas, and I even sold him a turtle (he even bought all the supplies they needed! Woohoo for responsible pet owners!).

We were just closing up shop when the last customer came in.

Next to him was his son, and in his arms (in an open gigantic tupperware container of all things - what is with Delawarians and tupperware?) was a puppy.

I have never seen a dog in such bad condition.

The thing couldn't have been more than three months old. It was lethargic, and had wounds all over its body. Some even had pus.

Not only that, but I could count the dogs vertabrae and ribs - and it was severely dehydrated.

The man told me that the puppy had worms, and that he needed medicine for the dog.

Gee, y'think?

Turns out that he had gotten the dog a month before. Stole the dog, actually. From a "friend" of his - he had taken the puppy because the friend wasn't taking care of it. He was trying to do right by it, but he just couldn't afford the vet bills.

Luckily, the woman who was in front of him knew of a 24 hr. emergency clinic that might slash the prices a bit to help him, so he followed her to it. I can only pray that the puppy gets the help that it needs.

So world, I've been thinking about this man and his son and puppy.

At first I was angry. He had that dog in his care for a whole month and did nothing while it withered away and led a miserable existence. Moreover, he didn't report the scumbag of a friend of his to the local authorities.

If I'm being honest with myself, I'm still angry.

But, after some reflection on the subject, I think I've decided that the man isn't totally evil.

He tried to take the puppy away from what he thought was an abusive situation. He was trying to help it, but didn't have the financial resources to help it the way that it needed, so from what I can gather the dog just got worse and worse.

He was obviously distressed at the puppy's condition. He tried telling his son that the puppy would be alright - but it was evident that he didn't believe it. He said he tried going to a vet, but they turned him away - because they were 'relocating.'

They should be ashamed of themselves. No reputable vet I know would ever turn away a puppy in that condition.

I'm not saying that it's an excuse for the neglectful treatment, I'm just saying that the guy isn't the scum of the earth.

Because if we're going to be honest with ourselves world, we might as well admit it - there are far worse excuses for human beings walking around right now than this guy.

Do I think he should own a dog? No. Do I think he's scum? Not entirely.

What do you think?