Family-owned Delilah's Pet Shop rebuilding after 2008 blaze

Tears formed in both Karene Kidwell’s and her daughter Leslie Henderson-Miller’s eyes as they recalled the devastating fire that destroyed their pet shop in late 2008, killing about 20 animals.

Henderson-Miller, the current owner of Delilah’s Pet Shop, said it was particularly
difficult for her family because they regarded the store’s animals as their own children.

“It was hard losing the building, but you can get another building,” Henderson-Miller said. “It’s been exceptionally hard to lose all of the babies. It’s emotional.”

One thing that helped get Delilah’s through their misfortune was the overwhelming support of the Bloomington people, said Kidwell, the former owner.

“I bet we talked to 500 people a day,” Kidwell said. “My sister said, ‘Karene, you’re real lucky. You got to find out just how people felt about you without dying.’”

All of Kidwell’s pictures burnt with the building, leaving the family with little to show the insurance company. Luckily, Kidwell said, an IU student had come to the store a few days before the fire and had taken pictures of the entire building.

“She had taken about 350 pictures of everything in the store,” Kidwell said. “It was worth about a million bucks to me.”

Kidwell said she had always had a good relationship with IU students, adding that she wants them to be able to interact with her animals.

\Kidwell, a registered veterinary technician, said she understands the dogs need interaction in early stages of their life in order to develop properly. Over the years, students have provided that, she said.

Because many students are away from their homes and pets, the human-animal interaction has been good for everyone involved, Kidwell said.

Frequent customer William Wampler II, who owns six dogs, said he has purchased almost all of his animals from Delilah’s because of their great customer service and the special attention from the students.

“It makes ’em more friendlier and happier and all that when they do find a good home,” Wampler said.

Kidwell has put in a conscious effort throughout her career to make sure her pet stores stay local and do not carry many major commercial products.

Kidwell purchased her puppies from individuals, refusing offers from brokerages in order to avoid encouragement of puppy mills.

Henderson-Miller admits that business has been good, but a little slower than before the fire. She said she believes a poor economy has contributed to a decline in sales, but she’s confident things will pick up. No matter what, she said, she wouldn’t trade her job for anything.

“I love coming here. I still really enjoy all the people who come to see us,” Henderson-Miller said.

Henderson-Miller runs Delilah’s by Kidwell’s example every day and said she admires her mother’s passion and generosity.

“My mother is the person who would give you the shirt off her back,” she said. “If I’m only ever half the person she is, then I’ve been a great human being.”