If Customer Pets Wrote The Google Business Reviews

We gave the PETS+ Brain Squad, our reader survey group of independent pet retailers and service providers, this prompt: “Customer pets are writing Google Reviews for your business. What do they say? Good or bad!” The results … We laughed until we cried and then said, “This is why indie pet businesses are so darn special.” 10 out of 10 stars to all who participated! Here are 29 of our favorites (we’ll run more soon):

I get to drool on anything I want! 10/10. No one got bent out of shape when I pooped on the floor. 12/10! The humans that work there aren’t furry enough, but they smell really good. 27/10. Adina Silberstein, Queenie’s Pets, Philadelphia, PA

3/5 stars — Yummy treats, decent people, but they wouldn’t let me chase the shop cats. Jennifer Flanagan, Pacific NW Pets, Sherwood, OR

My mom said she was taking me to daycare. Having been adopted I was pretty sure it was a scam and she was just abandoning me. Boy was I wrong! Daycare is the best! I don’t have enough toes to count the friends I’ve made. The humans are like big treat dispensers, and best of all they have pools!!! 10 out of 10. She should bring me every day. Jennifer Hall, All Things Pawssible, Charlottesville, VA

Lucky Dogs has all of our favorite foods, treats and toys. But we don’t understand why we can’t shop there when we are out for our morning and bedtime walks. We stop in front of the door, but my dad says they are closed. Lucky Dogs needs to be open 24 hours per day! Amy & Pat Schiek, Lucky Dogs, Skaneateles, NY

Four stars — the staff was awesome, I love our private room and no other dogs staring me down while I’m getting my privates trimmed. But man, listening to her sing is a bit painful! I don’t think she realizes how out of tune she is. Shell Tomjack, The sPaw, Rapid City, SD

The person behind the counter came out and said hi to me, and they knew my name! Then they gave me a treat that I really liked, and my mom bought me some to take home. Jennifer Thomas, Lucky Dog Pet Grocery & Bakery, Lawrence, KS

Walked in. Smelled meat. Immediately 12/10. Hoomans talked about “ingredients” and “sourcing.” All I heard was “more treats.” Staff greeted me first, not my mom! Tried to move in. Was denied. Julie Sterling, Julz Animal Houz, Marysville, WA

I dragged my human into GiggyBites Bakery & Marketplace and honestly … best decision since discovering squirrels. The second my paws hit the floor, I could smell the homemade treats baking and I knew this place understood dogs on a spiritual level. The treats are amazing — fresh, delicious and apparently made with ingredients my human keeps calling “healthy.” Whatever that means. I just know I sat extra fast for more. They also have a huge selection of dog food options, so even picky pups like me can find something tail-wag worthy. My human spent forever looking because there were so many good choices. The staff were incredibly friendly and gave me the attention I obviously deserve. And Steph, the owner, truly radiates love and passion for dogs. You can tell she genuinely cares about treating every pup well and helping humans choose the best for us. Their motto says it perfectly: “Good dogs deserve good treats.” Finally, a business that recognizes my greatness. 10/10. Would sniff every aisle again. Stephanie Rossino, GiggyBites, Chadds Ford, PA

Five stars! We love it here! Our friends at the store always have treats for us to eat, and give us lots of love. My only complaint is that the staff is so nice that sometimes my hooman spends too much time chatting with them when I am ready to go back to my walk! Shane Somerville, Paddywack, Mill Creek, WA

Pretty sure I found the next best thing to heaven — freshly baked liver cake! The humans were super nice, I got lots of pets and sniffs, and the liver cake was amazing. They asked mom if it was okay to give me a treat and boy oh boy, was it great! 12/10 will wag my tail and follow my nose all the way back there again! Beth Staley, Happy Dog Barkery, Downers Grove, IL

Positive: Thanks for giving my pawrents advice to keep me healthy, safe and happy, even when it means telling them “No, that is not appropriate for me.” Negative: You told my pawrents that my favorite treat or toy is no longer carried by your distributor, but I don’t understand that! Amber Hudson, The Aquarium Pet Store, Weatherford, OK

Best place ever! Disneyland for pets! Would definitely poop here again. 5 stars. Jennifer Larsen, Firehouse Pet Shop, Wenatchee, WA

5 stars. This training center really cares about how I feel! I’ve never walked into a new place and felt love like that before — not like going to the vet at all! This was way more fun and I can’t wait to go back next week! Lisa Kirschner, Sit, Stay, ‘N Play, Inc., Stroudsburg, PA

Bone-ito staff knows me by name and gets on the floor with me to rub my belly. Staci Alonso, Bone-ito, Reno, NV

I looooove the treats they give me when I come in. Sure, I might have to sit for it but hey, keep the treats coming. I wish I could run free and grab whatever I want, but they have rules against that. Victoria Park, Park Pet Supply, Atlanta, GA

Two stars: scary loud parrots make weird alarm noises. Birds are food, food shouldn’t talk! Five stars: treats and bones at snoot level! One star: Baths are bogus! But getting my paw-rent wet was a bonus! Five stars: so many good smells, and I got to see cats through the window doors! Megan Kurzweil, Forepaws, Minooka, IL

Okay listen up, fellow pups… this place is elite. The humans who work here? Absolute legends. They hand out scratches like it’s their job (because it is) and the treats? Top-tier, tail-wagging goodness. As soon as you walk in, do not waste time — pull your human straight to the back of the counter. Trust me. That’s where the real magic happens. Pro tip (you didn’t hear it from me): Take the first two treats … then casually spit them out like “meh.” They’ll panic and upgrade you to the premium stuff — freeze-dried rabbit. Jackpot. Then, once they’re not looking, go ahead and eat the ones you “rejected.” Efficiency is key. 10/10 experience. Would drag my human here daily if I had opposable thumbs. Paula Gorman, Pet Supplies ‘N’ More, Muskego, WI

Roxie’s Barkery treats are the best ever. Would sell my human for another bag. Staff gives top-tier belly rubs. Came for snacks, stayed for the vibes. McKenna Burzimati, Roxie’s Barkery, North Adams, MA

Yummy snackies! Butt scratches and kisses! Feeling so fresh and so clean! They tried to chop all my feet off though, but I forgive them. 4 out of 5 stars. Corey Heenan, Boutique and Pet Spa, Altamont, NY

Best day ever at Pawradise!! Woof! It’s me, Max the Labrador! I had the most fun ever! Big indoor park for zoomies, new furry friends and the coolest AC ever. Then they made me super fluffy with the best bath. I smelled like a fancy boy and was happily tired when mom picked me up. Best. Day. Ever. Tell your humans to bring you here now! 10/10 would zoomie again. — Max Jeanne Romanello, Pawradise, Estero, FL

She gives lotza treats, and I don’t even have to sit. Rebeca Santos, Pets Love and Happiness, Huntsville, AL

We really love getting treats and belly rubs when we visit the Gangsta Dog store. Our owners always leave so happy, and so do we! Gary Hughes, Gangsta Dog, Norfolk, VA

Paws down, the best place in town! Angela Velasquez, The Kitty Bodega, Houston, TX

I like it, I love it, I want some more of it … Tim McGraw. Amber Sutfin, Pet Wants, Pittsburgh, PA

They give good treats and good butt scratches. Kirsten Puhr, The NW Dog, Poulsbo, WA

The Essex Bird & Pet Supply is awesome! Great smells, free treats and butt scratches — what more could a dog want?! Shelly Nicastro, Essex Bird & Pet Supply, Essex, MA

What an awesome place to find new aquatic roommates — their selection, quality and pricing are great! Bill Trufant, B & B Pet Stop, Inc., Mobile, AL

Our tails are wagging for all the yummy food and treats at Razzle Dazzle! We are begging for more. Jodi Etienne, Razzle Dazzle Doggie Bow-tique, Bradley, IL

They have free treats that are way better than Home Depot. Kris Lamoreaux, Healthy Pets Mountain West, Cottonwood Heights, UT