Hutchinson Leader: A retailer's revenge

This link may also be found on The Dassel Enterprise Website. Archive for November 12th 2007

Darwin man writes hilarious book about pet shop business.

Hear Steve on the Radio! K.L.F.D. 1410am Litchfield Thursday April 30th in the morning. with Tim Bergstrom. You never know what they're up to! You can watch through the Sibley Street Window!

Do you need a speaker for your meeting? Ask Steve! Please allow plenty of notice. He's busy!  

Listen to Bill Dean and Steve on KWLM Willmar 1340am the "Train" at 9:15 in the a.m.!

 Also check out the Hutchinson Leader Business INC 12-27 and Saint Cloud Times Sunday Entertainment 1-21-08. The word is out THANK YOU everyone for your support.

We GREATLY APPRECIATE IT!

Steven B. Barton of Darwin wrote a book, “And They Keep Coming Back,” that is side-splittingly funny.

It is about his experiences running his pet store, Aquaria Pets, in Hutchinson. The book is named for what happens when non-customers, people who don’t buy anything from the store, threaten to never return and make all future purchases elsewhere. They come back to annoy him, his wife, Deb, and their employees anyway.

“It is not the customers that wear you down. It is the non-customers,” Barton says repeatedly in his book.

What makes the book so laugh-out-loud-funny is how familiar the characters in the book are. Even if you’ve never worked in retail or with customers, you will recognize these people. Maybe you have seen them in action when you were in a store with them.

“I am not making fun of my customers. I am making fun of humanity. When most people go shopping, at some point, they do something weird, including me,” Barton said.

A book signing will be Friday and Saturday, Nov. 16 and 17, and Nov. 23 and 24, noon to 5 p.m. at Aquaria Pets in downtown Hutchinson.

The book is organized into four parts. The first part is about customers and non-customers alike who don’t read signs, ignore posted store hours and try to get into the store too early or too late, expect the store to baby-sit their children for free, sign contracts and then try to ignore the terms of the contract, demand free information and education about the care of animals, expect refunds on nonrefundable items, and other annoying behavior.

It is truly amazing how many non-customers freely admit to Barton and his wife that they have no money, and no intent to buy anything, and are there because they are bored or killing time.

There are also chapters about irresponsible employees and wholesalers.

The second part of the book is about a scary incident in which the Bartons’ pet Italian Greyhound is stolen from the store, in broad daylight. It also includes a sky-diving incident in which emergency response personnel thought Barton had been killed. He also tells how Barton met and fell in love with his wife.

The third part of the book is a collection of many inspiring stories about customers and kind people from Hutchinson who helped the Barton's and their store.

The final chapter is a glossary explaining terms. The definition of a badger, for example, is a person with a problem, concern, or warranty or repair issue. Instead of giving Barton time to solve the problem or repair the item, the badger calls every 10 to 15 minutes to see if he’s done yet.

Although Barton makes fun of the non-customers, he loves Aquaria Pets and Hutchinson, and it shows in the book.

“The problem customer really comprises 1/10 of 1 percent. Most people are marvelous,” Barton said.

“The problem customer is a small percentage of people, who act the same no matter where they shop. One day, I was talking to a restaurant owner. To his amazement, I could name the people he was talking about within seconds. He could also name mine,” he continued.

In the 38 years he has been in the business, whenever something silly happened, he wrote it down. A woman put 100 pounds of aquarium gravel into her washing machine to clean it, for example. Of course, it wrecked the washer. Her husband tried to make Barton pay for the machine.

In another example, a business woman bought an aquarium from Barton for under $59, and thought Barton was obligated to clean it for the rest of his life, for free.

Another woman, after being told repeatedly to keep a ferret away from her face, had the ferret sink his teeth into her nose and dangle there, while she ran around the store screaming.

About seven years ago, Barton and his wife were trading stories with sales reps who had worked in retail and now service pet shops.

“Suddenly, one of the reps said, ‘Someone should write a book.’ Everyone looked at me. I guess I was the spokesman,” Barton said.

Barton also is in the process of writing a second book. It is called “The Perils of Puppies,” and has a more serious theme.

When asked if he is concerned his books will make people angry and cause them to stay away from his store, Barton said he hopes his books keep the problem customers away. Barton considers his thousands of good customers his trusted friends.

Here’s how you can get ‘And They Keep Coming Back,’ by Steve Barton

• Aquaria Pets, 30 S. Main St., Hutchinson. Amazin Farmyard Eden Valley

• online at Publishamerica.com, amazon.com, borders.com, and BarnesandNoble.com.

• in print, RR Bowkers Books, Ingram Baker and Taylor, and The Brodart Company.

Click to download the 11/19/2007 KWLM Interview (15MB MP3)

Click to download the 5/9/2009 KWLM Interview (5MB WMA)

 Steve & Tim Bergstrom of KLFD Litchfield compare retail humor. Tim served five years in retail.  t

Click to download the KLFD Interview (16MB MP3)

Steve and Jim Ohnstad of KDUZ  Hutchinson share  the humor.

Click to download the KDUZ Interview (19MB MP3)

Click to download the KASM Interview (18MB MP3)

Click to download the KNUJ 860 AM Interview (14MB MP3)

What they are saying about

“And They Keep Coming Back.”

 "It's a great collection of short stories that I enjoyed each night. There is something for everyone. IT IS FUNNY" Cliff Mitchell KASM Radio 1150 AM Albany

“I was going to read it before bedtime. I couldn’t stop. I had to read just one more chapter. Before I knew it, it was five a.m. I love it. I couldn’t stop laughing! Beth Schmitz Hutchinson MN 

“Steven B. Barton of Darwin wrote a book, “And They Keep Coming Back,” that is side-splittingly funny. It is about his experiences running his pet store, Aquaria Pets, in Hutchinson. The book is named for what happens when non-customers, people who don’t buy anything from the store, threaten to never return and make all future purchases elsewhere. They come back to annoy him, his wife, Deb, and their employees any way. It is hilarious! Anyone who has every worked retail will know this is true and that real people act this way. They actually do these things!"  Roz Kohls Dassel Enterprise

 "I Love the Book....It helps me retain my sense of Humor....Every time I start to read it, I find myself saying "Oh just one more Story"  I stayed up too late again last niter, just could not put it down.... Thank You ....You can quote me on that.” "Dusty" Dave Kottwitz Waupuan Wisconsin 

“Steve definitely isn't a PC (politically correct) kind of guy. He tells it like it is. Most of the stories are hilarious, others make you shake your head in disbelief at the sheer stupidity of some people. Either way the book is very entertaining. You'll find it hard to put it down as you go from one story to the next. Can't wait for the next book.”   Mike Jankowski Hutchinson MN   

“It’s awesome! I left it on my coffee table so company could look at it. They took it home. They won’t give it back. They said they can not put it down!” Michelle Sondergaard Hutchinson MN  

“It’s about time that a book like this was written. People need to read it so they understand, respect, and appreciate what you and other retailers do. When you retire, there will be some very big shoes to fill. You will be missed.” Rita Thomas Glencoe MN 

“What I got to read was really funny. Then a visiting sales rep. took it to read. She loves it. and is sharing it where she works. I want my book back. Steve told me he was writing it. I didn’t believe him! It’s about time someone told it like it is.” Jill Corson Corson Clothes Hutchinson MN  

“I’m in business and have gone through the same thing! My husband and I take turns reading it to each other. We can’t stop laughing! Many of  our customers act the same way.” Tania Krueger Hutchinson MN  

“I knew he would pull it off! I can’t stop laughing, but I cry my eye’s out when I read about my stolen dog. Then I cry with joy at the heart warming stories.” Deb Barton. Married to the Author (Who can’t spell)

"I'm not a big reader, but I can't put it down. I've been in the same situations. I knew by the first page that I would like it. It cracks me up. There are so many things I enjoy about it!" Robert McCarthy  of Robert Michaels

“Retail store customers do some of the craziest things. You will hear Steve talk about his pet store and some amazing things that his customers have done or asked for.
While you read this book, you will either be laughing or shaking your head in disbelief that pet store customers could do such things. And as the title says, these crazy customers just keep coming back and giving him more stories to write about. I would be surprised if he doesn't have enough stories for 3 books.
If you are the owner of a retail store, you simply must purchase this book, because you will see a number of your customers described.” Gary Peek Saint Charles Mo. 

"It was delightfully refreshing. Very few people have the guts to speak their mind, let alone put it in writing. "And They Keep Coming Back." is extremely well written. A few people may be offended, but in this day there must be a patch or pill for those folks. Tom Skoien Apple Valley MN

I read it cover to cover in the afternoon. I found it damned entertaining. It hit all my emotions. I laughed a lot. Tssk Tssk Steve. You dared to go there! Bravo! Mark Westmiller Hutchinson MN

Its awesome! As I read the book, I can hear Steve's voice as he tells me his stories. I want another, Write another  book! Linda Werner Stewart MN

Ya nailed them! I thank god for the many good customers! It is the morons and idiots that make customer service so hard! Lee Gruenhagan Hutchinson

"Pam really liked it! I'm still laughing as I read it. It has a special place in our library right next to the throne. We love the short stories! Dave Kunze Hutchinson A Note from Steve Uh thanks Dave. I'm glad my book found a special place in your home! As I kid it was always the "Readers Digest. I'm Honored! (I think.)

A Special Thanks To The Glencoe Enterprise December 27th 2007

By Kevin Johnson 

Steve Barton Publishes  "And They Keep Coming Back" The pet Shop Chronicles.

Deb & Steve Barton with two of their Italian Greyhounds

"Tawny" left and "Misti" Right"

Have you ever imagined seeing your name on a book cover? Has a friend ever suggested, “You should write a book?” After hearing about your ongoing adventures with the troublesome neighbor, most of us would just laugh it off. We tell ourselves; I'm not a writer or, if I wrote a book. I don't think anyone would want to read it.

You might be more like Steve Barton, however. Barton didn't exactly wake up one morning, and decide to write a book and ask himself, “Now what should I write about?” Steve owns and operates “Aquaria Pets”, a retail pet shop in Hutchinson. Seven or eight years ago, Steve was at the Hutchinson, V.F.W., relaxing after work, he was talking with some other local business people. They were swapping stories about the recent sidewalk sale. Barton told them about a “lady” who had returned to the store with a complaint the day of sale. Several weeks prior to the sidewalk sale, she had bought a hamster set up for her kids. Including several extra items, the total bill came to around $135, Barton said. The woman believed she had been overcharged Steve reviewed her receipt and double-checked the price for each item. “The original kit had a price of $35. She couldn’t understand why although she added two hamsters and several other extra items. Why, her total purchase was more than $35.” Barton said.

Steve says, when people order additional items for a meal at a restaurant, or “Super size it.” They know it will cost more. It was difficult for this customer to believe the same was true for pet products. Barton told her the bill was accurate. The “lady” returned a number of times the next couple of weeks. Each time she returned more irate than the last. Steve even offered her a total refund to just, “simply” end the entire unfortunate incident. She refused, claiming; “Now you just want to hurt my kids by taking everything away from them.”  Finally, she brought back the cage empty and dirty, saying she had found a cheaper one somewhere else.

Barton offered to refund the $20 cost of the cage. For some reason, she would only accept eight dollars while continuing to insist he was still ripping her off. Steve has been in business over 38 years and has many strange stories like this. After hearing this, one his friends told him, you should write a book. He didn't entirely dismiss the thought. It helps that Steve is more persuaded by "I can." then by, “I can't." and he was curious to see if he could do it. Steve's philosophy is, "work hard and play hard, because life is not a rehearsal." Why not give it a shot?” Okay, just how does one go about writing a book and getting it published?. Do you have to be a trained writer before you can write a book? Steve probably agrees now, that it wouldn’t hurt, but it is not a strict requirement. He eventually found that help is available Barton grew up in Forest Lake, Minnesota, north of Twin Cities. He has done many different things and worked in a lot of places. At the same time, he was managing Aquaria Pets; he worked as a press operator in the printing industry; including several years at the “Crow River Press” in Hutchinson. "I was an ink hog for about seven years," he began calling himself this after seeing the inky footprints he always left in snow in the parking lot after work.

Barton also took, audiovisual and communications classes at “Ridgewater College”. He didn't major in English or journalism. In fact, he recalls his High school teacher gave him a “C” in English. "Wherever she is, she would be shocked to discover I've written a book." He has spent 38 years, selling pets and managing his own stores. In the early days in Hutchinson, a couple of larger retailers turned him down for jobs in their pet and pet supply departments in the beginning, telling him he didn't know enough about pets." laughed Barton.

Steve began writing his stories evenings and weekends when he wasn't busy at the pet shop. But, he said it wasn't unusual to jot down thoughts or reminders for stories while dealing with customers during the day. Barton says he didn't have a regular writing routine. A little bit here and there. How long did it take to write and review the manuscript before Barton was ready to send it to a publisher? "Oh, probably about five years." He pulled a 3 x 5 inch notebook from a cluttered shelf above his desk in his office above store. "This is my second brain," he said. "I filled a bunch of these; probably seven or eight. And eventually I had a folder full of notes about an inch thick." Unfortunately, there were difficult family challenges for Barton during this time. While pushing to complete the final editing, Steve's mother in law, passed away. The day of the funeral, Steve was trying to close his store to be able to attend the service with his wife. A customer had come in and Barton patiently offered his help, but did mention he needed to close very soon so he could be with his wife at her mother's funeral. The customer either didn't hear what Steve said about needing to leave for the funeral or had chosen to ignore him. He finally had to tell him he was leaving and they would be locked in if they didn’t leave too. They were offended that they couldn’t continue to play with the pets. "You just have to laugh.” He probably wasn't laughing at the time.

Many of us see the authors as solitary figures holed up in an attic room somewhere, hunched over a typewriter, pounding out paragraph's nonstop all hours of the day and night. They began with pages of blank paper and emerge weeks later with a finished manuscript, ready to be printed. That is not exactly how it was for Steve. When asked who looked over his work or offered suggestions and comments about his writing? "Well, that was my wife Deb and a couple of skydiving buddies," Steve said. They would read portions after Barton finished drafting them. "We had to choose the words carefully,” he said he knew his writings needed some special scrutiny, referring to the fact he is known for using salty language in everyday conversation. That can be true when customers talk to him that way as well. (You will discover for yourself if you read the now finished book) Steve worked on his writing as he had time. Usually this meant wintertime when he wasn’t in the air, waiting for the signal to jump from the open door of an airplane. He spent three or four years documenting his collection of stories using a word processor program and an old computer. (It crashed more than once and lost what had been written.) He grouped the stories and tried to put them in the order that made sense. When he had more than 300 pages, Barton decided it was time to look for publisher. And how did Steve find a publisher? He went to the Hutchinson library and looked in a book listing publisher’s names and phone numbers. "I just picked one," he said. "I sent off my nice letter of introduction, and even used very expensive paper. That first publisher took quite a while to get back to him. He finally received a form letter, "on a cheaper paper that I used." You know the kind he was talking about, the message informed Barton, they didn't really agree that it was ready, "It doesn't appear. We have a long term project here, good luck to you."

After being turned down Barton said, he just kind of set the idea of being published on the back burner for a while. "It was several months before I picked another publisher from the list I made at the library.  "The weather had turned nice again, so he went back to skydiving. As skydiving season drew to another close with the onset winter, Steve says he started going over the manuscript again and, "sort of polished it up." With that completed, he selected his second publisher and sent off the manuscript again. This was in March. What can response did he get this time? "In fact, they contacted me saying the stories were hilarious, and they wanted to get moving on it right away. They wanted a final fully edited version by June," he said. They sent him a contract to sign and an advance. Now, he had to do it.

"What followed was now by far the hardest part of doing a book," Barton said. He would write and rewrite. "I was concerned; that it was too long. So I tried pulling things out." He would send revisions to the publisher, and they sent back a letter asking why I cut good material." He thought of more stories and added those.” The second publisher, “Publish America” assigned two people to work at editing the manuscript before it was completed," he said  Did they rewrite the text in ways that changed it so much you couldn’t recognize it as your own writing? "Not really," Barton said. “They would scribble notes about dialogue tags,” he said, He didn’t know what those were.

Back and forth went the manuscript. "The editors would return, whole sections or chapters at time saying, "Steven, improve, the book," without specifically telling him what that meant other than to say he needed dialogue tags.  "It was back and forth like that for over seven weeks worth of redo, while still having numerous computer and family problems.” At one point, Barton nearly changed the name of the book to, "The Pet Shop Chronicles."

Finally, Steve said, "You know, you need a mechanic when you have taken apart a car engine and can't remember where to put all the pieces to get back together. I really needed help fast." So Barton contacted a reporter working at a local newspaper to ask about help with editing the book. Leslie Christiansen writes for the “Hutchinson Leader” newspaper and agreed to take on the task. "She knew what dialogue tags were," he said. The newly edited version was mailed Barton received a letter in return telling him "Steven, this is a tremendous improvement. We knew you had it in you."

That was not the end. “I am telling you, strange things happen to me," Steve said. He held up a copy of his book showing the title "And They Keep Coming Back." He had just received in the mail and opened it during the interview. There on the cover next to the title is a picture of Barton. Underneath the picture it says, by Steven B. Barton, A. K. A. "Fish" but open the cover, and there on the overleaf is the title, “The Anatomy Of The Soul. An Authentic Psychology." The printer had mistakenly bound another writer's new book within Steve's cover. On September 14, 2007, the first edition of the book was released. True to form, Barton said another strange thing happened. This time, the first edition was mistakenly released with the names of some of those he'd written about left in the stories. He had intended for those names to removed from the last marked up copy.

After the "names were changed to protect the innocent", a second printing was issued. The "world wide" release came November 2 of this year. The publisher actually distributes books in the United Kingdom and Europe, in addition to the United States. Steve said it didn't really hit him that he was now a published author until his mother asked him to sign her copy of the book. He and his wife Deb were home and Steve was enjoying a "beverage" and said something like, "I cannot believe we got away with it." Now that the book is in print, Barton says the publisher is promoting the book on its websites and through “Publish America’s” advertisements. It's also on Amazon.com. Steve has done interviews on behalf of the books launch at five radio stations and three area newspapers so far. "I have received orders for the book from people in California, New Jersey, Florida, and even England. A number of buyers have told him they want several autographed copies and intend to give them as gifts to friends and family. Writing  a book is what Steve Barton wanted to do. He persevered. The process was not necessarily smooth and Barton admits he doesn't always know what he was doing. But; a shiny new book is the result and he believes he has enough material for two more titles.

Love Your Pet All The Time! Even more during National Pet Week

May 4 through May 10, 2008  by Kevin Johnson of the Glencoe Enterprise Wednesday May 1st 2008

Steve Barton owns and operates Aquaria Pets in Hutchinson.   Steve could earn his living selling hardware or flowers.  There is a reason he sells animals. He likes & respects them.  Moreover, he knows how to take care of them and knows what they need.

Customers benefit when Steve A.K.A. Fish shares what he knows before they take their new pet home.  Steve typically spends more than an hour explaining how to properly care for a new puppy, what foods and vaccinations their new “friend” will need and which accessories it would enjoy.  The bottom line for Fish is more than just a ‘bottom line’.  “Animals are NOT a disposable commodity,” he says. 

When you enter Barton’s shop on Hutchinson’s main street, you find something you will never see in a big-box retailer.  Some of the critters are not in cages.  The ones that are for sale are either caged or swimming.  The animals that greet you (or ignore you) belong to Fish and his wife, Deb.  A yellow cat called ‘Middens’ will wander by and, in typical feline fashion, may choose to brush up against your leg or pass by and not acknowledge you at all.

Three graceful and petite Italian greyhounds, ‘Tawny’ and M & M (‘Misti’, and ‘Mickey’) have the run of the place. They own it. Steve and Deb work for “them.”  Steve says M & M also stands for ‘Mirth’ and ‘Mayhem.’  The “Girls” seem to be keeping an eye on you, watching you as you look over the other pets in the shop. Italian Greyhounds also known, as “IGs” are very demur & shy. They do not like loud noises or being chased. “They are very tender and delicate dogs emotionally. “They sometimes cry when Deb catches them misbehaving and gently scolds them. Then she apologizes to them even when they committed the crime.” Steve laughs. “I don’t get that after I get busted pulling my stunts.”

 “Deb has the three dogs because I was too hard to train,” Steve jokes.  Actually, the dogs have the Barton’s semi- trained. Deb & Steve are like doggie kibble in their paws. They’re good about reminding Steve when the store is running low on critical supplies like doggie ‘treats’.

During our interview ‘Misti’ leapt into Steve’s lap with her wagging tail vigorously driving her, forward into his arms and deep into his chair as she clung close to him whimpering and licking his face.“Yes, yes,” He intoned. “I know supplies are critical. We’re down to twenty bags of “Charlie Bears” and four cases of “Double Plays.” It is obvious that those are the “girls” favorite, and Steve has a soft side.

Aquaria has puppies, kittens, fish, birds and warm fuzzy creatures. They’re all there.  Steve, Deb and their staff always have helpful handouts with information about pet care.

                When asked if they have ever declined to sell a pet to a potential customer, Steve said ‘yes’.  While people are looking for that ‘perfect’ pet, Steve is doing his best to evaluate the potential owners too.  He believes it is important for people to give it some thought before they buy, asking themselves why they want a pet.  “Many people see the animals and have very high expectations.  Those expectations are not always reasonable,” Steve says.  “I encourage them to remember that their own child had a lot to learn about appropriate behavior, too.”

                A red flag goes up for the Barton’s when someone rushes into the shop saying, “Quick, I need a pet.”  While it is a wonderful idea and they obviously believe many people can enjoy having a pet. In this case it’s likely they haven’t adequately considered the decision, Steve says.  “I usually begin by asking if the pet is for them or for someone else.”

                Steve and Deb take pride in offering help and essential information to customers who want to do a good job taking care of their pets.  Steve recalled an instance more than ten years ago when he was shopping in a well-known ‘big box’ retail store and happened to pass near the pet section.  An employee approached Steve with, “This bird is sick.  Can you help?”  He figures they knew he owned the independent pet store in town.  Steve was able to help with the sick bird, but noted the retailer now limits itself to selling only fish.  His point was clear, he cares about the pets he sells and knows questions will come up after their new owners get the animals home.  He also cares about his customers and wants them to have the best experience possible with their pet.

He frequently stress that anytime Aquaria sells a family a pet it impacts their life. Steve and Deb take that responsibility quite seriously.

                Despite the advertising he does for his store, Steve said it is not uncommon for people to still call and ask him, “Which mall are you in?”  Steve tells them, “We’re not in a mall; we are located downtown on main street, across from the library,” 

Has the slowing economy had any noticeable effect on Barton’s business?  “We get between seventy-five and a hundred people a day through the store.  Those are fairly normal numbers,” he says.  “Some stop in just to browse and others come to buy. People definitely are looking for quality first then value.”  Most of Barton’s customers come from the area immediately in and around McLeod County.  “But, we have many customers from Mankato and New Ulm, Fargo, North Dakota and Iowa.  Some have come from as far away as Canada.” 

Steve described one incident involving “the perfect customer”.  A woman came into the store to inquire about buying a dog.  “She visited several times to discuss dogs and looked twice at the specific breed that interested her.”  The next time she came in she told him she had contacted several vets to get information about fees for shots and other necessary care.  She had located a place where she could board her dog during longer absences; identified a second place for back-up boarding, and had lined up a friend to watch her dog on short notice.  Finally she asked Steve, “Have I forgotten anything?”  He was flabbergasted.  All he could think to say was, “I love you.”  (Steve could have simply kept that thought to himself.  But you only need to spend a little time with him to know he is a person with few unuttered thoughts. He takes pride in plain simple honesty.)

“Maybe a third of potential customers have unreasonably high expectations.  Many people only look at the price of an animal, and that can be a mistake. They are forgetting about the basics like quality food and supplies.”

At times kids will come into the store and tell Steve or Deb that they want to buy a pet.  “What do mom and dad think of ‘Jimmy’ bringing home a hamster?” He calls and asks the parents.  Steve says “It’s one way for him to avoid problems later.”  What kind of problems?  “Well, like dad or grandma deciding after the fact that ‘Jimmy’ can’t keep the hamster.” There have been occasions’ when parents were angry that Steve called to check. Other times mom or dad have dragged the child back with the now used and damaged care items demanding a refund.

He also looks for ‘responsible’ behavior by adult customers.  For example, “Can the parents ‘handle’ their own kids while they’re in the store?”  Steve explained further, ”When ‘Jimmy’ begins chasing ‘Tawny’ or ‘Middens’ around the store screaming or yelling does the adult who is accompanying ‘Jimmy’ have him stop, or do they merely shrug after I politely ask them not to chase the animals?”

The Barton’s will make suggestions about pet choices based on the customer they are talking with.  For example, if the prospective new pet owner wants a puppy but has a toddler at home, Steve and Deb may discourage them from buying a Chihuahua.  “Larger dogs can tolerate a small child accidently falling on them. “Toy breeds might be seriously injured,” they say.

Besides Steve and his wife Deb, there are several other long-time ‘residents’ at Aquaria Pets.  Has Steve grown so attached he might find it difficult to part with them?  One is ‘Joey’, an eighteen year old parrot.  Technically, the parrot’s name is ‘Joey, the Red Menace’. 

Joey used to have free reign to wander about the shop. He used to follow along behind Steve. Sadly, many people began teasing him. For the bird’s safety, Steve now keeps Joey in his 10 x 10 ft room when the store is open.  Joey even has his own favorite ‘beverage’, but this reporter will not elaborate. 

While Steve and Joey obviously share a long history, Steve added that he would consider selling Joey for the right (very high) price.

 Finally, Steve knows that people keep pets for a variety of reasons.  Comfort and companionship are typically cited.  Steve said his family always had German shepherds when he was young.  Now because of his many hobbies and way too many endeavors he prefers the “wash and wear” models that simply need a bath and no grooming.  “Dogs are great.  You can really mess up and your dog will still look up to you. Remember D.O.G. spells G.O.D. backwards and both are wise and great.”

When speaking about some of the office politics he has experienced during his corporate work life, Steve quipped, “animals bite for a reason, but that’s not always true of people.” Winston Churchill is credited with saying, “The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man.”

On occasion, having a pet can be an extraordinarily good thing.  Barton related a story about one customer who bought a dog from him a number of years ago.  He hadn’t seen the fellow in quite awhile when the man stopped in to thank Barton for “saving his life.”  Steve suspected the gentleman of exaggerating. 

The guy told Steve he became really fond of his dog.  The gentleman also explained he had long struggled with alcohol abuse.  In one incident following a bout of heavy drinking, the fellow had passed out for ‘for a good two days.’  When he had sobered up he discovered his puppy ‘with no food or water and locked in his now filthy cage in a very poor state.  “I understood that dog of mine literally depended on me for his life.”  The man told Steve he learned to take responsibility because of his pet.  (The story is included in Fishes’ book,) “And They Keep Coming Back!” Available at Aquaria Pets, That Amazin farm yard and most online book stores. It has a chapter titled, “Why we do “It.” In that chapter, Fish talks about the rewards of serving his longtime and loyal customers that have become his friends.

Maybe caring for a pet won’t save your life, but it will make it better.  Nonetheless, Steve Barton has owned ‘Aquaria Pets’ for almost forty years. He and his wife Deb are ready and willing to help make your pet-owning experience a rewarding one. If you would like to hear Steve A.K.A “Fish” talk about pets, his book and National Pet Week, tune in Thursday, May 1^st to KNUJ 860 AM in New Ulm at 9:15 a.m.; or Friday, May 2^nd on KLFD 1410 AM in Litchfield at 8:20 a.m., and  KWLM 1340 AM in Willmar at 9:10 a.m,  Sunday May 4th KLOV 100 AM at 8:45 Olivia