You know how I’ve told you about all the wonderful people I meet? Those syrupy “kindness of others” stories I tell you? Well, you may want to get out your pancakes, because here’s another.
Although the temp agency has me booked for the last two weeks of the month, the first two were empty, so money-wise, things have been rather tight. Theo and I went to the pet store yesterday, to get some food to tide him over until payday. I walked the aisles looking for the Dollar Menu of dog foods, since I couldn’t afford Blue Buffalo, his usual brand.
“May I help you?” asked a pleasant-looking gentleman who’d noticed Theo and I poring over the labels and prices.
I looked at his name tag and saw that he was a rep from Blue Buffalo. “Well, usually I buy your brand, but I have a few days until payday, so I need to find something less expensive, just to get him by for a few days.” I motioned toward Theo, and tried not to be embarrassed. “Then I’ll get him his usual brand.”
The man asked a few questions about the type of Blue Buffalo kibble Theo usually eats, and actually started recommending affordable alternate brands.
Suddenly, he just looked at us so kindly. He said, “I’ll tell you what I’m going to do.” He reached into his clipboard and pulled out a coupon for a free 15- pound bag of Blue Buffalo dog food (a $25.55 value). “Merry Christmas,” he smiled.
I was speechless. I know I didn’t look pitiful or poor (at least I hope not). He was just being kind, and I think that maybe he understood that sometimes, times are just a little rough.
I thanked him and told him I had to go, because, you know, I was getting all teary. His assistant even carried that big old bag up to the register for me.
So Theo’s sitting here, happily munching on Blue Buffalo dog food, and I’m munching on the memory of yesterday, still astounded by the kindness of that man.
Merry Christmas Karma to you Moonbeam!
Thanks, FH! I hope your Christmas Karma is equally as wonderful!
This story even made me a little teary. Merry Christmas, MBMQ!!!
(((Brian!!))) For some reason, you were on my mind earlier today– maybe it’s because I’m missing your blog (I’ve been way behind on my reading). Anyway, thanks, and Merry Christmas to you (and Alan)!
Awww. Sometimes Santa wears a different outfit, but he is real, huh? I know it! How awesome. Happy Christmas, Theo and MB. May Santa continue to bless you long after the holiday season.
I think there are a lot of Santas out there! I hope your Christmas is incredible, and that the coming year brings you, your family and the pups a sleighful of joy.
That’s just wonderful!
I have never heard of their food. What great pr!
Theo really likes it, because they have a formula for tiny dogs. It’s all natural and stuff. I didn’t think about the PR– maybe Blue Buffalo will recoup their loss on that bag of food!
That is just the best holiday story! He’s very kind indeed. And think what brand loyalty he’s created in you. AND you are advertising the brand here, too. BUT, it’s apparent he wasn’t thinking any of that when he pulled out the coupon. {Happy munching, Theo.}
Definite brand loyalty! I was loyal before, but I wouldn’t change Theo’s food for anything after this. I didn’t mean to advertise the brand so much as the brand man. What a guy!
Am so happy to hear/read this and know that Theo is eating his favourite food, especially after his ordeal….and am sure that this is one Christmas you will not forget.
Thanks, MQ! You’re right– this was definitely a highlight of the season.
aww…
the simplest gestures are so often the ones that stick with us forever. I can remember being probably six years old, and I wanted a race track for cars worse than anything. I saved up just enough money, and insisted that I go into the store by myself to get it since I was paying for it myself. (can you imagine anyone letting a 6 year old alone in a store NOW?LOL!) Anyway, I hadnt thought of sales tax, so when my racetrack was rang up, I was 50-some cents short. I whispered to the sales lady that I was going to have to run out to the car to get more money and the lady in line behind me handed her a few quarters to cover the difference. I bet she had forgotten it by the time she got to the car, but I still remember her kindness.
What a wonderful story!!! That’s one of the beauties of such gestures– the giver probably doesn’t remember such things, but the givee never forgets. No telling how many people remember some equally kind gesture that you yourself have made.
The speechless moments of life are often the best. Just once in my life I received a Christmas gift that was so completely unexpected – so utterly impossible, in fact – that when I opened it I started to laugh and cry at the same time, and couldn’t say a word for minutes.
That was “big speechless”, but “little speechless” is equally good, and more common. I’m so glad that you and Theo got to experience one.
As for my own speechlessness in the face of your KD Lang blog, it’s been turned into words and is posted now. I need to give you thanks for finally making me pay attention to her!
I’m dying to know what “big speechless” gift you received that elicited such a response!
Heading over to your blog to read your kd post!
Moonbeam, you’re my blue buffalo blogger. I hope I never reach a point where I can’t afford internet or when wordpress bans my ip…I do scupt the nudes, you know.
~
Awwww…neither of those things had better happen. I’d be heartbroken.
Sooo glad you made it home safe and sound after last week’s outing!
Aw! Some people are just so nice! Merry Xmas!
They are indeed. Merry Christmas, Leaf!
I’m here at work, reading this, and needed this story so bad today. Awe, that was so damn nice of him! I just love it when people are nice like this. And I’m glad Theo gets to enjoy his holidays with some yummy food!!!!
Ohhh, I’m so glad that you enjoyed this, GG. Theo’s going to be enjoying that food for months– the bag is three times his size!
Hope the rest of your day is much better!
Hi MB,
I hope you are feeling better soon. Kinda sucks to be feeling ill over the holidays.
You are right…perhaps it is the season that makes us take note of the kindness of others or a reminder to ourselves. And maybe this stuff really happens all the time, but we don’t notice….I’d like to think it happens all the time, but somehow I think that if it did, we wouldn’t notice it during the holidays. Kind of like needing to see crappy weather so that on beautiful sunny days, we appreciate it more.
Did that make sense?
Happy Holidays!!
Thanks, Abbe. It’ll be fine– I’m still working and stuff, just throwing up a little while I do it!
Going back to your blog post: It does make sense. Maybe it’s this too: the holidays make the have nots more visible to the haves.
I once read somewhere that the lower and middle classes give a greater percentage of their incomes to charity, and in my HR days, I saw that in action– $10 an hour factory workers giving generous amounts of money to various fundraisers, or setting money back each payday for the United Way. It touched me in a big way, the way everyone got into the spirit of giving, and it was all year long. But you’re right– I think more people become more generous at this time of year.
Wow. I almost formed a thought today!
Happy holidays to you too (((Abbe))).
That was so nice, Moon!
Merry Christmas, Happy New year! Happy holiday’s!
Wishing you all the best!
[...] 23, 2008 by fibrohaven I was inspired to write this post by Moonbeam McQueen and her Blue Buffalo post. A really nice man did a really nice thing at the best possible time and [...]
I have to say i’m almost teary eyed at your story.
I got into a heated debate with my boyfiend about all the harmful foods out there *kibble’s and bits, alpo; ect*, and i ran into your post after doing some research about how great blue buffalo is, and showing my boyfiend all the documentation i found on-line about the other “great foods” *i’m a blue buffalo rep myself*
I hope you and Theo continue to benefit from Blue.
You work for a great company! Not only do they make a great product, but you reps are always so helpful and nice. I’m with you on the vast differences in quality– Theo the Wonderpup does a lot better on BB than other brands he’s tried (I sound like a commercial here). He also hoards the blueberries, and saves them for dessert, which is awfully cute.
[...] was inspired to write this post by Moonbeam McQueen and her Blue Buffalo post. A really nice man did a really nice thing at the best possible time and [...]