At the CVS pharmacy I frequent for my prescriptions, there’s a technician that is almost always working the drive thru. Most likely a Millennial like myself, she always seems somber and emotionless or irritated and tired. It actually bums me out to see this employee because she radiates negativity. But today I broke her…and she smiled.
This afternoon I set out to run some errands. I needed to go to CVS and the bank, so I figured while I was out I’d stop to get ice cream. I did what any normal dog mom who has to run errands would do – I packed my three musketeers into the Subaru and muttered the words “Who wants to get a pup cup?” That’s sure to get all those little paws moving.
Our first stop was CVS. Since I had the dogs, I needed to go to the drive thru. As I pulled up to the window, there she was – my favorite pharmacy technician. On today’s menu of emotions were melancholy and depressive.
As the girl asked for my name and birthday, Wynston crawled up to the front seat as McKenzie Rae stood with her front paws on the center console. Then all of a sudden I heard an excited voice coming from outside the driver’s side window. “Oh my! You have dogs! Wow they are so cute! How many do you have? Two?!” I was shocked. This ever so solemn woman had gone from emotionless to excited at the site of my dogs. “Actually, I have three! Khloee is my Maltese, Poodle mix sitting in the back,” I replied. “Oh my gosh they are so cute! Can they have treats?”
At that moment I became very mindful. My dogs did nothing except appear in the front of my car and this woman was transformed. She went from seemingly bitter to happy, with a lasting smile strewn across her face. This is, after all, the power of dogs.
The employee handed me three heart shaped dog treats as I exchanged money for my prescription. I handed out the treats to my babies, and retrieved my change. At this point, the technician was still smiling. “I hope you all have a great day!” she exclaimed with a tone of happiness and joy. Equally excited about her reaction to my dogs, I replied in a chipper voice, “Thanks so much! I hope you have a great day also!”
This isn’t the first time I’ve had this type of drive thru encounter with my dogs. Wynston likes to sit on my lap when we’re at the drive thru window, especially if we’re at a fast food restaurant. Can you imagine all of those delicious smells wafting through the window?!
Recently I went for breakfast, and what I thought was a tired teenager turned into a cheerful one at the site of Wynston in my lap. She was smiling as I drove off instead of yawning, as I first saw her.
I took all my dogs through the Chik-fil-a drive thru a couple of weeks ago, and one female employee got so excited at the sight of my dogs that she beckoned over several employees. They crowded the drive thru window to gawk at Wynston’s cuteness, as he sniffed the air in hopes that someone would throw him a chicken nugget.
I love bringing my dogs to drive thrus, and now I’m feeling inspired to do it more frequently. It’s incredible how something as simple as a dog at a person’s place of employment can turn their day around. I enjoy being the person who can create that transformation for someone. Well, I just provide the pups…and they provide the smiles.
That is, after all, the power of dogs.
Enjoy taking your dog to the drive thru? Here’s a list of dog friendly drive thrus!
Leigh says
This is so true. Our pets can make “cold” people melt at once. You just have to give them a chance.
Amanda says
Absolutely! Animals do have that power!
Dachshund Nola says
I have this reaction all the time with Nola. It warms my heart, even if I may feel a little whiplash from the transformation. What a lovely day!
Amanda says
It is very heart warming. A great way to describe it 🙂
Pam says
What a lovely story. Thank you for sharing.
Forest Poodles says
This story made me smile! When I take one of the poodles with me I often get the same enthusiasm. I love it! When people don’t see the large, 65lb dog in the back seat I’m always surprised, but I guess not everyone has dog radar like me!