Do you have a great Honest Kitchen story? Well we would love to hear about it! If your story is chosen and we post it on our blog then we would like to offer you something special. Could be a coupon code, maybe a jar of treats…you’ll just have to wait and find out!

Just click on Bark at us: Email the honest kitchen to submit your story.

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The search was on for America’s most paw-pular pooch. The Honest Kitchen was chosen as one of the judges for this spectacular competition that took place at South Bark Dog Wash. Dogs all around San Diego came to strut their stuff for Canine Runway, a non-profit organization.

Theses pooches didn’t hold anything back. Whether they were strutting their stuff down the runway, jumping through hoops or just awing the judges with their cuteness…actually the owners were kind of fierce too. I guess all the great prizes got their attention!

San Diego was only one of five stops for the Canine Runway competition. Two preliminary finalists and two runners up were chosen and the two preliminary finalists will go to semi-final rounds in Los Angeles. There they have the chance to compete with the other preliminary finalist for a chance to go to Super Zoo in Las Vegas and compete in finals.

Good luck to all the dogs that made it and especially to Skyler the Lab and Splash the Border Collie, who took first place in San Diego. We’ll be crossing our paws for you two.

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I was rummaging through some back issues of BocaDog Mag here at work and found this cute piece on “The Character of Dogs’”. I thought you might enjoy it. I added my own little commentary to each blurb (hope you don’t mind. ;-)!! I’m sure anyone who has a dog can relate…makes me love the little guys even more!!

“I love dogs because no matter how badly they smell, they still think they smell terrific. In fact, if your a dog, the worse you smell the more attractive you feel to others.”- Tell me that’s not true!! Bekko (my big boy Min Pin) always seems to want to cuddle when he stinks (or when I do). I come home on a hot muggy afternoon after going for a run, he wont leave me alone. Weird.Gross.Strange these dogs are…

“I also love dogs because they allow humans to do silly things with them like paint their toe nails or dress them up like little hot dogs. Have you ever watched dog free-style dance competitions? Dogs will participate fully in all our silliness, and often, they just smile and bounce along gleefully in return.”- I’ve somehow managed to teach Bekko to “Stand up & Dance” for treats, and even though I’m ashamed to say it, I make him stand and hop in circles repeatedly just to get a good laugh before I give him his Nuzzle he’s dying for. He thinks its all in fun though. Silly boy

I love dogs because they recognize a family unit. they know that the people who take care of them love them. They are often loyal to those people until death and perhaps, if you’ve heard of John Edwards or Sylvia brown, the psychics, even beyond death. Dogs have known for years that one makes his/her own family. A being need not be blood related to be part of you-happily; he/she doesn’t even need to be of the same species.”

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Susan Sims, of Fido Friendly Magazine, talks about her publication and resources for traveling with your pet.

I publish Fido Friendly, the Travel & Lifestyle Magazine for you and your dog.
Now in our 8th year, each bimonthly issue includes edit on hotel, city and state reviews along with the latest lifestyle trends for you and your dog. We can be found at Borders, Barnes& Noble, Petsmart, pet boutiques and Fido-friendly hotels nationwide. Our website features a map locator with Fido-friendly hotels and products being added daily. www.fidofriendly.com

We also have launched the Fido Friendly Travel Club. Simlar to AAA, members receive discounts at close to 1,000 affiliate hotels, products and services, along with a year service to 1-800-help-4-pets, a pet recovery service, and a one-year subscription to Fido Friendly magazine. www.fidofriendlytravelclub.com

For those of you looking for apartment living with Fido, you can also check out our Fido Friendly Apartments website. www.fidofriendlyapartments.com where you can search for just the perfect apartment home for you and Fido to hang your hats. Well, your hat anyway, maybe his leash?

Our upcoming issue, May/June, features the top 46 Fido-friendly Hotels around the world plus our first ever SPAW for Fido editorial. More and more hotels are rolling out the red carpet for Fido and including pet amenities along with canine menus and massage. Don’t miss one issue of Fido Friendly, the only magazine dedicated to the travel lifestyle of man’s best friend, and the one magazine, your dog will thank you for! (May/June on sale date 5/15/08, check your local bookstore or the March/April issue still on sale or subscribe today by calling 888-881-5861 or simply log on to subscribe: www.fidofriendly.com)

Publisher Susan Sims also hosts a monthly radio show on Animal Radio about dog travel. Animal Radio is syndicated to 2 million listeners, nationwide. Sims lives along the Snake River in Idaho with her husband of 25 years and her 2 Labs, aka; Directors of Barketing for Fido Friendly magazine. She travels quite extensively with her family to sniff out hotels for purpose of review and is currently in discussion for a potential TV series. www.fidofriendly.com. Or you can email Susan at Susan@fidofriendly.com.

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About eighteen years ago my two dogs got very sick after eating a well-known commercial pet food. This led me to begin questioning what goes into pet food, who manufactures the pet food, and what kind of regulations or government oversight of pet food companies exists. What I found out was shocking, and I realized I had to share this with other pet owners. Seven years later I wrote my first book, Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts About Pet Food. At the time most people thought I was “crazy” or “paranoid” and refused to believe that the multi-billion dollar pet food industry is basically self-regulated and can dish up the dregs of society and sell it as “pet food.”

In 2007 the pet food industry faced the largest recall in its history with more than 60 million cans and bags of pet food recalled by the FDA. Now, a growing number of consumers are asking the hard questions and educating themselves about the importance of good nutrition for their animal companions.

Everyday I get emails from people asking about pet foods and what to do. For the skeptics, I usually begin with the question:You would not feed your child (or yourself) something from a can or box every day, so how can you feed your pets this way and expect them to be healthy?

My basic advice is to cook for your pets or buy pet foods that contain organic grains and meats, as well as fruits and vegetables that are fit for human consumption.  These foods may cost a little more, but you will save in veterinary bills if your pets are eating a wholesome diet.

I’ve always told people that if they are going to feed kibble or canned food to add some human-grade ingredients such as fresh vegetable and fruit or meat and even things such as oatmeal.  You will find that your pet enjoys these additional foods and will be much happier.

As consumers learn to read labels on pet foods, they will see that there are numerous mystery ingredients that are harmful to pets.  For starters, avoid feeding foods that contain ingredients such as meat meal.  Meat meal can be derived from sources such as road kill, zoo animals, euthanized companion animals, garbage from supermarkets and diseased material from slaughterhouse facilities.  I go into great depth in my book about what these mystery ingredients really mean and where they come from. I also offer healthy natural alternatives.

Many people don’t have the time to cook for their animal companions.  I understand.  Fortunately, there are some very good natural pet foods now available.  There are a handful of pet food companies, including The Honest Kitchen, that produce quality pet food that I would feel safe feeding my pets.

Since 1990 I have fed my dogs and cats a homemade diet consisting of meat, grains, and fresh vegetables. All of them have lived long lives and have done extremely well eating human-grade food. My giant breed dogs have lived 14 years or more when the life span of the giant breeds are usually eight years. My cat, Simon, is nearly 23 years old. Last year, my Siamese, Yakkie, died at the age of 27 years! I view their long and healthy lives as a testament to eating healthy, human-grade foods. If you eat healthy food regularly, and you experience the benefits of good health, so will your dogs and cats. Bon appetit!
Ann Martin

Ann Martin is recognized internationally as an authority on the commercial pet food controversy. The Third Edition of her bestseller, Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts About Pet Food, was released July 2008. Her second book, Protect Your Pet: More Shocking Facts(NewSage Press), delves into other health concerns for dogs and cats. You can read more about her books at: www.newssagepress.com. You can email Ann Martin at: anmartin1@rogers.com.

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Thank you to everyone that commented on our travel size giveaway. Katrina, Chibichin, Heidi, Jason and Natalie were the first five to comment. We will be contacting you shortly to see what diets you have chosen. We will also be extending a 20% off coupon code to all that participated along with a free travel size to the 14 runners up. Thanks again and happy traveling!!!

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Did you know we offer all of our diets in a convenient ___ oz travel size. These handy little travel sizes will make ___ pound of fresh food once re-hydrated. They are light weight, compact and easy to travel with.

Fill in the blanks and comment with your answer below. We will send five free travel sizes (your choice of diets) to the first 5 people who comment correctly! And we will also extend a 20% coupon for your next order to the first 20 people. Just leave a comment with your answer below….

(Don’t worry, we wont “reveal” the comments until we have our first 5 right answers: so no one will cheat!)

Hint.. all the information can be found at The Honest Kitchen

This contest has ended. Thank you to everyone that participated.

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Casper, also known as the “no hope staffie” has brought hope for his breed, which is often frowned upon. This gentle guy has had some rough times. At 8 months old he was taken to a shelter due to complaints from neighbors that his owners had been starving him and left him outdoors at all times only to be tied to a tree.

He was taken to a South Central shelter where he was sure to be put down. Casper only weighed 22 lbs, which is an unthinkable weight for his age and breed. The promising part of the story is that when people saw him word of mouth begin to spread he was given another chance and now resides at Marley’s Pit Stop Rescue where he was given the opportunity to pack on some pounds, get healthy and experience love…probably for the first time.

He has now won the hearts of many who have helped him through his fighting chance at survival and is now looking for the right human(s) to spend his life with.

If you would like to learn more about Casper or interested in making him a part of your family please visit www.pitstoprescue.com

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