Feathers 'N Fins was a special fixture on the island, having been in operation for over 37 years and its owner, Barbara Zimmerman was just as special. Her recent passing has many in the community remembering her kindness.

KUAM spoke with Bonnie Twogood about her parents David and Barbara Zimmerman, who made Guam their home in 1978.

"They loved the island, they loved the climate, of course, the warm weather, the people, the culture," she shared. "They had no interest in moving back to the states, we tried to convince them as they got older, to relocate and be closer to family, and that was home."

Twogood along with her mother purchased the Hagatna pet store in 1992 from its original owners.

"We had animals our entire life, between household pets, she had horses growing up, she lived on a farm when she was little, and that translated to us kids...and the opportunity arose and we did it," she said.

From pet photos with Santa or the Easter bunny, or walking through the doors and being welcomed by cute puppy faces, there was so much that made Feathers 'N Fins unique. But it was the familial atmosphere that truly made it special, whether it was David sitting outside of the shop greeting customers or Barbara and the dedicated employees ready to help. And some of those employees worked at the store for over 20 years, each of them creating lasting bonds with Barbara. Marie Laniog was one of those employees having worked as the manager for 23 years.

"She was incredible," she said of Barbara. "If you met her, you had to love her. She just made a difference in your life. She made you enjoy your pets. She always liked her customers, that was always her priority. She always made sure that the customers were taken care of, make sure the animals are healthy."

And it wasn't just the people she met at Feathers 'N Fins. Before the pet store became an island institution, Barbara was a swimming coach for teams on Naval Station and NCTAMS. She was also very involved with the Guam National Olympic Committee and South Pacific Games in the late '70s and '80s when it came to the sport.

And although she knew her mother had made a lasting impression on many, Twogood didn't realize just how much until the pet store closed its doors on Dec. 31 of last year.

"Customers were writing notes to her in books that the employees provided, and people were commenting on our Instagram page, the number of people that would come in the store when I was there," she said. "They would talk to me about how she affected them, and their family, or how they shopped in the store as kids, and they're adults bringing their kids. It really struck me that she really did have an impact."

And if there is something the community should know about Barbara?

"She was just supposed to be just my boss, but I loved her," Laniog said. "And I know the employees loved her. When I saw just how many people's lives were touched by her, I'm glad I got to know her. I'm glad she took a chance on me. How much she loved the island and the people, the customers, and the store. That was her life. Truly her heart was in it."