Readers share their most memorable days in business.

Best day ever. It’s a phrase used often. But what if you had to pick just one? A day above all others in your pet business. Could you? We asked you to do exactly that in a recent Brain Squad survey. And you didn’t disappoint.

Your answers moved us, as they all revolved around helping the dogs, cats and other pets in your communities. A few responses even had us reaching for the tissues.

Like this one from Charlotte Petrey of You Lucky Dog in Houston, TX: “The day we flooded and saved all the dogs.”

Digging deeper, we learned that during the unexpected Memorial Day Flood of 2015, water rose to 2-1/2 feet inside this family-owned boarding facility. Overnight staff moved all 23 guests to safety in higher areas of the building, continuing in the dark after power went out. Pet parents and the community were so grateful that they contributed more than $25,000 via gofundme to help Petrey rebuild.

Now that most certainly counts as a best day ever. Read on for more.

“In January 2018, my then 9-year-old daughter was sitting with me in a snowstorm here in Connecticut with our chocolate Lab, Harley, and we were discussing sports we would like to participate in with our Lab in the spring. She said she couldn’t throw a Frisbee and wanted to try agility. Then she asked if she could do swimming with Harley.

So we researched sports involving dogs and swimming, and found dock diving! We soon learned that there were no dock-diving pools for dogs in our state. And a pet resort and spaw we own is on 6 acres with plenty of room to add a pool. And what’s a resort without a pool? Right?

From my daughter’s desire to spend time with our loving Lab, an idea was born, and we spent the winter designing, planning and ordering 13,000 square feet of artificial turf, pool, dock, etc. while learning all about the sport.

In June 2018, we opened Connecticut’s only Ultimate Air Dogs dock diving pool, a 45-foot saltwater pool at one of my resorts. I have added a 40-foot dock to it and offer the pool as a Dock Diving facility — with swimming lessons, hydrotherapy, daily swims for guests, private pool rentals and pool pawties. We recently had our first-ever competition weekend. Fox 61 News came to cover it. People couldn’t believe how beautiful the facility and location are, and compliments flowed all day.

It was a dream come true to see my children participate as youth handlers in dock diving events that weekend. Watching my now 9- and 10-year-old daughters participate in a sport with their dog, on my property, while observing so many other competitors enjoying quality time with their families and dogs in such a fun sport, definitely qualified as a Best Day Ever.

Daycare and boarding guests enjoyed their stay, and veteran dock-diving competitors, who traveled to Connecticut from Delaware, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island for the event, were blown away by the beautiful facility and pool, welcoming staff, cleanliness of the place, smooth registration process and professional atmosphere. It was over 100 degrees, and the event went on without a bump or complaint. It is always a lot of work putting on events. And we do have many. But this was our first dock diving event. To see it come to fruition July 2019, after a child’s idea was offered in January 2018, is a dream come true and best day ever for me! — Krista Lofquist Wagging Tails, Wolcott, CT

“One Christmas, a little girl came in with $100 to spend on our favorite dog charity. She couldn’t have a dog, so her mom told her she could do this. We loaded her up and gave her all kinds of things. The warmth in this little girl’s heart was so overwhelming. All of us were crying of happiness. That’s a good day!” — Debbie Brookham, Furry Friends Inc., Colorado Springs, CO

“Best day ever was when I looked out onto my doggy day-care floor and realized that all 50-plus pup clients were not any of my family or friend’s dogs. My ‘field of dreams’ really had become a profitable biz without any help from my loved ones. Cool stuff!” — Angela Pantalone, Wag Central, Stratford, CT

“I had a client who brought her two Gordon Setters and one Miniature Poodle in for grooming regularly. The dogs were so tuned into the process and pickup. One night, the parking lot was full and the owner parked her big SUV in another spot. I checked the dogs out and helped her take them to the truck. Both big dogs jumped on the top of the car hood that was parked in their usual spot. I laughed so hard, but the mom was clearly mortified. Nobody saw. Just made the end of the day fantastic for me. I’ll never forget that day or the dogs.” — Rachel Diller, The Poodle Shop, Littleton, CO

“The best day ever was when I came to the conclusion that I had too many customers. For the last year, I have had to stop taking on new customers due to a full schedule. Just a few months ago, I ordered my second van to convert (should be on the road by end of the year) and am working on expanding!” — Amanda Bowman, Fairy Tails Mobile Grooming, Cherry Hill, NJ

“When a family had to move away and told me I was the one who changed their kid’s life — an autistic kid who no matter what they tried, nothing helped. When they came to my store, everything came together when they picked out a bird, realized not all dogs were bad, (we had a store Mastiff at the time) and life seemed better. I had no idea until they thanked me and told me how it has changed “Nick.” — Paul Lewis, Birds Unlimited, Webster, NY

“When I hosted my first Backyard Luau for the dogs. Not only did each and every one of them wear leis, but they were all so calm and happy. I was such a proud ‘earth mother’ that day.” — Vanessa Cruz, Dawgs All Day, Brooklyn, NY

“We shut down our location to pamper over 40 shelter dogs, and the staff morale was so strong.” — Jessica Cooke, Yuppy Puppy, O’Fallon, MO

“We had a customer in tears. His daughter’s dog was failing and suffering from cancer. His daughter was still away at school, and this was the love of her life. He asked if we could recommend something that would help. After much discussion of the circumstances, we recommended Pet Releaf and Allprovide Gently Cooked. He followed our advice and came in with his daughter the following Saturday, and with “Root Beer” the Jack Russell Terrier. He was jumping around and full of life, and his daughter thanked us with a big hug. Root Beer lived for almost 9 more months and was comfortable and pain free. We were so thrilled to be able to offer this as an option.” — Christine McCoy, The Natural Pet Enrichment Center, North Royalton, OH

“Our best day ever was during one of our breed meetups. During Doodle Day, there were approximately 50 dogs and their owners in the store. Thankfully, it was a beautiful day and many of them hung out outside on the porch or in the parking lot. It was not only our best sales day, the general vibe in the store was happy, as people got to meet other owners. I saw many of them exchanging contact information. Connecting people through their pets always brings me joy.” — Wendy Megyese, Muttigans, Emerald Isle, NC

“There are many ‘best day evers’ in the independent pet food retailer industry. I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by the things that I love and motivate me for 34 years, not to mention the customers who share the same passions and interests. There are now second-generation customers who have parents who have shopped in the store for many years. I always remind myself to focus on those things when the occasional stressful situation arises.” — Jack Carey, Food For Pets, Manchester, NH

“We just had our best sales day ever this July. It topped the previous best day ever by more than 12 percent! We discount our whole store by the same percentage as number of years old we are. This year it was 14 percent off since our store is 14 years old. We have VIP swag bags — customers can pre-order to guarantee their bag — and a prize wheel for when they spend certain amounts, and we host multiple nonprofits/rescues as well as demo reps with freebies. It’s a big festive atmosphere, and our customers love it! Next year we’ll have to come up with something else to make it even more special to celebrate 15 years! — Shane Somerville, Paddywack, Mill Creek, WA

“One of my best days ever was when after months of step-by-step encouragement (and courage building), one of the dogs in our workout program finally went across the balance beam on his own! The pet parents and the dog were both elated! I know that dog was happy because he kept circling around and doing it over and over again with ‘Look Mom, No Hands’ excitement! Everybody in the store came over to watch him run through the course like a kid in a candy store!” — Sue Hepner, Cool Dog Gear, Roslyn, PA

“I have adoptions most Saturdays, and the best day is when the shelter leaves empty-handed.” — Ron Keller, Captivating Canines, Westerville, OH

“The day our Boston store really lifted off/went into the black. We opened during the recession in 2010, and it took way longer to get up on its legs than I expected.” — Kathy Palmer, The Fish & Bone, Boston, MA

“Having multiple customers come in and be so happy they were crying, based on proper nutritional guidance from my team. We had five customers in one day!” — Jennifer Flanagan, Nature’s Pet Market Sherwood, Sherwood, OR

“When my little Chihuahua, Cocomo Joe, went into the Burke & Herbert Bank, located in Old Town, Alexandria, VA, and helped me convince them that a dog bakery and boutique was just what Old Town needed. Cocomo Joe gave a few little looks with his Burberry shirt, and they were sold. Cocomo Joe was asked to sign the loan with me, and he eagerly did for a treat.” — Kristina Robertson, Barkley Square Pets, Falls Church, VA

COCOMO JOE

“The first day my pet facility opened for business and earned the first $5 bill in cash. I still have it taped in my check-in desk. — Tammi Bui, Wishbone Pet Care, Missouri City, TX

“Any day that I get a customer coming back to tell me that their dog or cat has changed drastically for the better simply because we suggested a different food, or suggested trying CBD for whatever ails them, is a fabulous day! Knowing that our experience and knowledge was able to help another pet parent find their way and change their fur baby’s life for an astounding better is always our best day! For us, it’s about community that drives us to do what we do, and of course, for the love of all fur kids out there in the world.” — Kimberly Gatto, The Wagging Tail, Las Vegas, NV

“Any day that I have helped an animal and its person live their best life.” — Honor Blume, BowMeow Regency, Sheffield, MA

“Grand opening day is what stands out to me. The adrenaline, the positive vibes, meeting the community, seeing the team and how excited they were. And how even under extreme stress, we all made it through with smiles. (Nothing would scan, our POS didn’t sync with inventory and was a disaster!) — Jennifer Larsen, Firehouse Pet Shop, Wenatchee, WA

“Our best day ever in business was just before the Fourth of July this year, when people were out and about taking their dog to the dog park, then coming over to our shop next door to give a self-serve bath and buy treats. We were staffed up for it, and everyone was moving and grooving, keeping customers engaged and served all day long. We provided pizza for the staff as a thank you for their hard work that day. We made a few hundred more dollars than we normally make, but more importantly, made new and existing customers happy to do business with us.” — Charlsye Lewis, Metro Animals, Fort Worth, TX

“We’ve done a couple on-site fundraiser meet-and-greets with local rescues. The Greyhound rescue is my favorite group. They come in numbers and they shop, tell stories, encourage meeting the dogs and are generally great people to be around, and the rescued Greyhounds are amazing.” — Brett Foreman, Eupawria Holistic Pet Center, Owego, NY

“The day that we opened up our second location! Greatest thing ever knowing that you are doing well enough and helping enough people out and they are recommending people to you, that you then have the capability of opening up another location to make you reach even farther and help out even more people.” — Dylan Giampaolo, Woof Woof Pet Boutique & Biscuit Bar, New Bedford, MA

“Pretty much any day that I get to spend outdoors at a community event. I do a lot of event marketing, and I love setting up the booth early in the morning, talking to new, potential customers and playing with their dogs.” — Keefer Dickerson, Nashville Pet Products, Nashville, TN

“The Saturday before Christmas. Everyone is in shopping mode, but in a pleasant, not ‘mall-crushing-crowd’ way. And it’s great to know that their pets are being treated just like family. You can almost imagine the puppy stockings hanging on the mantle and wrapped gifts under the trees. It doesn’t hurt that it’s one of the busiest revenue days of the year, either.” — Mark Vitt, Mutts & Co., Delaware, OH

“Every day is great, but nothing beats the day we opened and realized our dreams had come to fruition. Ten years going strong now with loyal staff and awesome customers.” — Rosi Ladouceur, Barrkhaven Pet Boutique And Spaw, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

“The best days I have are when clients rave about our services or when we get any sort of recognition. For instance, winning the Best of the Best in pet care award for our county, which is a voting-based award.” — Ashley Cook,Viva La Pet, Dover, NJ

“We are fortunate to be in Salem, MA, which gets very good tourist traffic most of the year, especially in October. It is so rewarding to hear from customers who visit the city yearly and make it a point to visit us, to both say hello and purchase our hand-made treats and cookies. With all the things to do and see, to know they make our shop a destination makes us feel very proud. — Kimberly Barnes, New England Dog Biscuit, Salem, MA

“Probably receiving a pile of magazines with Mumsie and me on the front cover winning first place in PETS+ America’s Coolest Pet Store 2018!” — Leel Michelle, Bow Wow Beauty Shoppe, San Diego, CA

“When a client told me that a friend she had referred to me told her that they found someplace that was way cheaper. My client told her that [her dog] Daisy likes likes Corey. I’m not changing.” — Corey Heenan, Corey’s Canine Creations, Altamont, NY

“I feel every day is our best day in business, and every day stands on its own for different reasons!” — Johnna Devereaux, Fetch Ri, Richmond RI

“Every anniversary. Feels awesome to make it another year.” — Lisa Vella, South Bark Dog Wash, San Diego, CA

“My best day ever is when I ring a lot of sales, which is usually around the Christmas holiday season and everyone is generally happy!” — Laura Haupt, Bark & Meow Inc, Tarrytown, NY

“I could say the day Judi walked into the store and told me I needed her. But, the all-time best day ever was when Judi adopted Buddy and brought him to the store with his e-collar on to meet my dog Taylor. The two dogs became besties right away. Why not? Judi and I are! — Nancy Okun, Cats N Dogs, Port Charlotte, FL

“I’d have to say the best for me was the day my husband was able to quit his job and join me full-time.” — Nancy Guinn, Dog Krazy, Fredericksburg, VA

“One day that stands out above others are our customer appreciation days. They are a lot of work, but we serve lunch — deep-fried cheese curds, ice cream — and offer store discounts, a discount dartboard customers can throw at to get a larger discount, free items and more! It is fun watching customers enjoy themselves, and all flock to the store. — Lisa Keppers, Sauk Centre Country Store, Sauk Centre, MN

“Most of the best days ever are when customers come in and treat us like family, and tell us happy and sad things that are happening in their lives. Because they consider us family, they want us to know. — Paula Gorman, Pet Supplies ‘N’ More, Muskego, WI

“Whenever we get to welcome families who rescue dogs is our best day ever.” — Asha Olivia, Hoby Dogy Pet Care, Boca Raton, FL

“The day I won second place in America’s Coolest Pet Stores” contest in 2017.” — Patricia Boden, Animal Connection, Charlottesville, VA