All humans make mistakes. However, some are worse than others. For months, one busy dog mom continuously made an embarrassing mistake that she’ll never forget. Somehow, she mixed up an accountant’s office with the doggy daycare across the street.
Although most people would know the truth within a single visit, this confusion lasted far too long. Luckily, everyone involved was kind and amused by the situation, and it’s now something they can laugh about. Sometimes, even mistakes can be turned into something wonderful!
This hilarious exchange was posted by the narrator. RedditShe got overwhelming positive results.
This Isn’t a Doggy Daycare at All
The story started when the narrator worked in a dog friendly office just across the street from the doggy daycare. The office had an open floor plan that allowed dogs to run free and provided water and food. Since customers never came into the office, it didn’t seem like a big deal. Because of apartment pet restrictions, the narrator was not allowed to own a dog.
“One day a very frantic woman came in and she had an absolutely massive Basset Hound with her. The only people who ever came to the office were associates with the person who worked there. However, it was very rare that they brought their dogs.
She ran up to me and said ‘Do you work here?’ And I said ‘Yes, how can I help you?’ And she said ‘I wasn’t sure if you took walk ins but I read online I could just drop him off? I tried to reach her by phone but was not answered.’”
The narrator was confused, but the woman explained that she was in hurry and needed Otis, the Basset Hound, to drop her off. She handed over food and said she’d be back in a few hours. Instead of realizing the woman’s misunderstanding, the narrator assumed she was a friend of someone in the office. They accepted the dog and ran out to meet the woman.
Otis wasn’t recognized by any of the coworkers when Otis was presented to them by the narrator.
The beginning of a beautiful friendship
At first, the narrator feared that Otis’ mom wouldn’t return. They were also thrilled to have a dog at their workplace. Otis was very chilled and the family took excellent care of him. They washed his poop, fed him and provided frequent bathroom breaks. He could even use the extra bed provided by the office.
“At the end of the day the woman, thank God, came back. She said ‘Thanks, you’re a lifesaver. How was he?’ And I said ‘He was a champ.’ And was about to say ‘But why is he here’ when she said ‘That’s a relief. Most kennels state that he can get anxious around other dogs. I heard that you worked at a higher level, and I was delighted to see so many clients in one room. So, how much do I owe?’ And that’s when I realized she thought we were a dog daycare.
Now, I probably should’ve corrected her. However, I enjoyed my time with the dog at work and wanted to be paid for watching this odd dog. I simply gave the number that seemed fair and appropriate. ‘That’ll be $20.’ I said.
She replied ‘Reaalllly?!’ in this very high tone, and I couldn’t tell if I’d overshot or undershot. But she paid me and left.”
After the woman left the office, the narrator shared their laughter with co-workers. At first, they just thought it would be a funny story to look back on, but that wasn’t the end of it.
An ongoing mistake
The woman returned the next week. She didn’t seem to have any clue that the place was an office and not a daycare. Otis was dropped off again. The narrator was very young at the time, so they figured they shouldn’t spoil a good thing. Otis was a great companion.
“Not long after, Otis started getting dropped off two, sometimes even three or four days a week. I was in heaven. He was an amazing love. He made quick friends with visitors and delivery men.
Otis was present when we took our Christmas card photo. In a Santa hat. It was pretty great.”
But as it turns out, Otis’ mom was friends with one of the office’s clients. So, when the woman was at that friend’s house, she saw Otis happily posing in the Christmas card.
“One day Otis’ owner came in holding the card and walked up to me and said ‘I can’t even believe I’m asking this but… is that my dog in this photo? This isn’t a dog daycare at all. This is just an office, isn’t it?’
She said it with a note of surprise, as though she was looking around and putting it all together for the first time (no coincidence that this was the first time she wasn’t in some crazy rush either.) She was like ‘Then who are all these other dogs?!’”
How to turn a bad situation into a positive one
The narrator could not help but explain everything to the woman. They were terrified that she’d ask for her money back or take legal action against the company, but she just seemed confused. When asked why they didn’t say anything sooner, the narrator explained how much they loved having Otis around because they were the only one without a dog. Their coworkers confirmed their truthfulness.
“So she said, ‘Well, I wish you’d said something sooner. Could’ve saved me a lot of embarrassment with my friend back there. Okay, let’s get moving. See you at 4:00.’ And she left Otis! I couldn’t believe it!
I said ‘So he can stay?!’ And she replied ‘Where else could I find someone to watch him one on one all day for $20?’ And off she went.”
Otis stayed at the office for almost two years, until his mother and father moved. Coincidentally, it occurred just before the narrator received a new position. They thought it would make a great story to tell during difficult times. It made many people smile.
H/T: reddit.com
Featured Image @TheDogsAtWork/Facebook
