THE WAGGING TAIL HAS WON THE BEST OF THE JERSEY SHORE FOR 2022!
In March a man and a woman came into the shop and told us that it was their pleasure to announce to us that we were the recipients of the first-place award for best pet store in Atlantic and Cape May Counties. I did not even know there was such a contest, nor did any of my staff. Luckily, they all happened to be in the shop at the time we were informed, as Michael was off that day but had stopped in and it was serendipity for him to receive the news too. We were told that we had to keep mum about it and that the award would take place over Memorial Day weekend. I was very excited, yet a bit skeptical. Even when we received an invitation to the presentation at Nauti Spirits, I was hesitant to celebrate until it happened. For all the winners who attended the event it could not have been a more uncomfortable night with the unusually damp cloudy downright cold weather, yet spirits were high and flowing, and the food was great and plentiful. If you have never been to Nauti Spirits Distillery, give it a try because it is much more than a place to have a “cool” drink.
Having had this store for thirty-five years, more years than many of my customers have been alive and having survived the onslaught of big box stores and every other enterprise that adds pet products to their inventory, it is truly a feat. I think the reason we may have won this particularly year, and I am not sure how long this contest has been in existence, is due to my incredible staff. Most business owners will tell you that the biggest challenge is securing employees who are invested in making a difference, not just doing a job. I have been through my share of employees who did not exhibit the loyalty or interest needed to help a business succeed, and some who were downright belligerent and rude to customers and felt somehow entitled to help themselves to “free” merchandise when I was not present.
Then my lovely niece, Samantha, came to watch my back and made everyone fall in love with her. And then last October she got sick and died and we were all devastated. At her memorial, looking at the huge crowd of mourners including her five sons, 8-21 years of age, I talked of Sam and her graciousness, kindness, and integrity, and asked, “Who out there among you could honestly say there isn’t anyone who could have a negative thing to say about you? Well, that one person I know, is Sam.” Tears are running down my cheeks now. It is so hard to think of her absence from our lives without feeling the extreme loss of such a beautiful human being. I had hoped she would continue The Wagging Tail when I retired, as she had such a strong love for the cats in our shelter as well as the customers and the business itself, and I wanted her to have some security which had eluded her through married life.
I have not been as present in the store now that I have Michael, Allison, and Sharon. Michael is like a sponge absorbing everything he can about the business, and customers are thrilled with his friendly, endearing personality and increasing wealth of information to aid in the best care for family pets. Allison is a trooper and a tireless inspiration. She continues to amaze me with her innovative ideas and attention to details. Sharon is so dependable, pitches in extra when needed, and steady as a rock. Those traits apply to all the staff. Each of us has our own physical ailments and family issues, but we leave them at home and put ourselves into the realm of what needs to be accomplished daily in the store and giving our best to our customers. Their presence has enabled me to take care of my expansive gardens despite my new knees and my arthritis and do the business bookwork and special ordering. I try to be in the shop every single day in the afternoon usually from 2:30 to closing unless I am unable to.
Thank you to all who voted for us, and appreciate what we strive to deliver to ensure healthy happy pets
