Its fair to say that Ive recently started working at a pet shop here in Manchester. My probation period ended back in June, and Ive since become a permanent member of staff. Let me explain what that means.
At the end of every month, the permanent staff are allowed to take home items that have been written off the shops inventory. These might include pet food in slightly dented tins or boxes, or accessories with minor faultsa lead with a frayed edge, for instance, or a damaged cat bed.
We sort things out amongst ourselves, deciding who will take what. I dont have any pets, but I end up claiming something as well.
The first item I brought home was a sack of cat food. My wifes parents have a cat, so I took the food over to them.
After that, I found myself always looking out for cat items.
On my next turn, I managed to get a scratching post. It was a bit torn, but my mother-in-law mended it quickly with a needle and thread.
Still, when I brought it over, no one seemed particularly pleased. They were already out of food for the cat, so instead of a thank you, I was met with:
You should have brought the food, couldnt you have come with that instead?
It stung a bit, as I had previously explained how I manage to bring home these pet supplies. I reminded them again, and they acted as if they understood, though I wasnt convinced.
On the way home, I turned to my wife and suggested we get some good quality food for her parents cat every month. If theres any spare from work, well keep it in reserve. Thats what we agreed to do.
The only odd thing was what happened the next month. Ten kilograms of food seemed to vanish in no time. I asked my mother-in-law about it, and she admitted shed promised to share some with her neighbour.
She knew Id bring more soon, so she just gave some away. Meanwhile, wed gone out and bought rather expensive cat food for her. I had to explain again that the food was only for her cat, not the whole neighbourhood.
In response, I was met with more indignation:
You work in a pet shop!
Apparently, they still thought I was deliberately refusing to help get food for the cat.
Thats when it hit meI had to put a stop to all this. I told my wifes parents plainly that, on principle, I wouldnt be bringing anything home for them anymore. It was a bad idea. I made it clear they shouldnt expect anything else from me.
