Not everyone is quite as lucky as the staff at THK’s HeadQuarters. We get to bring our hounds to work, every single day. They have to pull their weight, mind you. It’s not all lounging around on the sofas waiting for a belly rub. Oh no! There are ingredients to be purchased, sales to be made, and an unbiased, considered opinion to be offered during taste tests of new creations. BUT - many dogs get left at home most days and never get to see what their guardians spend those long hours. Pet Sitters International sets out to change all that with its annual ‘Take Your Dog To Work Day’ (TYDTWD), which will celebrate its 10′th anniversary on June 26.

Established by PSI in 1999, TYDTWD was created to commemorate the great companions dogs make, and encourage their adoptions from local animal shelters, rescue groups and humane societies. The initiative encourages employers to open their doors to employees’ canine “best friends,” and spread the word about this worthwhile event in their communities.

This year, we’re joining in the fun with a tail-wagging contest! We’re on the prowl for the top 10 dog-friendly companies in San Diego; the winning company’s pooches will receive a special lunchtime delivery of delicious The Honest Kitchen food and treats to their office.

Want to enter?

If your company plans to participate in TYDTWD, send a short submission (no more than 500 words) about why your company is “top dog” when it comes to four-legged office mates – the more unique or compelling the story, the better! Submissions can be emailed to info@thehonestkitchen.com and should include the company name, a brief explanation on how you plan to celebrate TYDTWD or what furry co-workers help add to the office environment. Entries must be received by 5 p.m. PST on June 22.

Good luck!

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We at THK recently decided we’d like to adopt a rescue Coonhound. The idea had popped into my head a little while ago, and wouln’t leave. No sooner had we talked about the idea, than a handsome Coonhound visited our booth at the Woofstock charity event, for Canine Companions for Independence last weekend. And he was looking for a home! Literally, we’d chatted about adopting a Coonhound over company cocktails on Friday, and Saturday afternoon - there he was. 

Cowboy.  Adorable, charismatic, sometimes stoic, and a very naughty thief: toast, leftover take-out from the trash, some cheese, various dog treats, some soup and about fourteen children’s toys, and counting, just during the two-day trial. But he is SO cute. 

He fit right into the office dog pack of eight, and has the most amazing tail. We’re thinking he’s a keeper. He might not stay Cowboy (since he doesn’t seem to know his name) and we’re thinking he’ll be Indian instead. A spiritual native tribesman with a painted face - or a calm, centered, benevolent yogi - hopefully the new name will sink in and give him a fresh start, and maybe even help him with a reliable recall. More to follow on that little project.

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Holistic Pet Food Company and Local Restaurant Team-up to Introduce New Herbal Tea for Dogs and Pet-Friendly Menu

The Honest Kitchen, a Gourmet Pet Food manufacturer, and Café Merlot, a chic fine dining establishment located in the Bernardo Winery, have partnered to host a High Tea for Pups, a one-of-a-kind, whimsical tea party for pooches to celebrate the launch of Lithe Tea, The Honest Kitchen’s newest product – and raise money for San Diego Humane Society.

The event will take place at Café Merlot, on March 24th from 2:30-4:30 p.m., at Café Merlot at the Bernardo Winery, 13330 Paseo del Verano Norte, San Diego, Calif. 92128.

San Diego dog owners are invited to bring their pooches to sample the delectable and healthy offerings being provided by The Honest Kitchen and Café Merlot.

While the event is free-of-charge, attendees are encouraged to offer a $5 donation for each cup of Lithe herbal tea. The Honest Kitchen will donate 100 percent of all contributions to the San Diego Humane Society to support their programs and services.

Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP at 619.985.9519 or via email at Natalie@rkpr.net.

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I stumbled across a vintage photo dated in the late 1800’s with a boy and the family dog. I was immensely intrigued so dug up more. Its an interesting glimpse into the life of the 19th century pet. Of course, I wonder what they ate? Had to of been all raw or home cooked right? There mustn’t of been commercial pet food.

My Favorite below. The child seems none too pleased to be photographed while their pup is hamming it up!

This one’s somewhat newer but great nonetheless.

More after the fold…

(more…)

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We received a cool “Honest Kitchen” success story from one of our awesome and adorable customers, Minnie. She sent us an email today telling us how thrilled she is to be eating Force! It appears the Force is definitely with Minnie! Check it out…

Hi,

My name is Minnie and I am 8 1/2 years old. My mom started feeding me force 6months ago and I am delighted. I have always had a sensitive stomach, ear infections and the constant shedding was unbearable. Now look at me…I feel great…!!

No more ear infections, no more getting sick to my stomach and just look at my coat and how I shine! No more shedding…Woo Hoo! I really wanted to be on your new box but I didn’t make the final cut. No problem, I just asked my mom to put me on the Force box.

So here I am, healthy and happy Minnie. The Force is with me. Thanks to The Honest Kitchen for making me feel really good!

Thanks Minnie!!

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One of the best things about being at work is having some furry co-workers come by and visit my desk. Whether they came by to gossip about what was said around the water cooler or they’re just hanging around for a treat…it’s all worth it!

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Chance is my 9 and half year-old American Pit Bull mix. He doesn’t come to the office much but he’s been apart of The Honest Kitchen family for quite some time!! I can’t begin to tell you what a great companion he is. We take long walks on the beach, eat delicious dinners together and enjoy watching movies on those cold days. Oh yeah…my boyfriend Carlton comes too! What you can’t tell by looking at him is that he is deaf. Personally I thought he was stubborn and was just being a puppy. But as the days went by I started to realize that I wasn’t crazy and thought maybe he just couldn’t hear me. A few weeks later I started to get concerned and took him to the vet…sure enough he was deaf.

The vet told me that his ear canals were not fully developed. I wasn’t sure how I was going to be able to take care of him or how it would affect his life, so we took it one step at a time. Sure I had many questions and concerns but as time went by it became almost natural for us. He learned quickly as did I. Since he never had the ability to hear he couldn’t miss what he never had…or I hoped he wouldn’t. Nine and half years have passed and I still talk to him like he can hear every word that I am saying. Whether I am yelling at him to come inside while I flicker the porch light or wave my arms as I am running down the beach to get his attention it never gets old.

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Bekko (my teenage Miniature Pinscher) has been to every park and beach in the city and told me he’s pretty bored with it all. I decided to challenge the little guy & take him Hiking last weekend!! Since we live in San Diego there was no better place than Mt. Laguna! (We hiked the highest point in San Diego County)

I was a bit nervous Bekko would go crazy out in the wild and freak out, as Min Pins usually do. I was so happy to see he absolutely loved hiking and was such a good doggy. I had him on a retractable leash, so he wondered a few feet ahead, sniffing everything. He jumped over rocks, climbed in logs, played with a few pine cones, and fought off a mountain lion for me!

He even begrudgingly posed for a few photos. All in All our hike was a success and I could tell the little guy had a great time! He’s only a foot tall, but was such a trooper on the trail, some of which was pretty steep. I’m motivated now to maybe take him scuba diving or bun-jee jumping next!

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I was on my way to work this morning, trottin’ along with my 3lb dog in tow. Usually everyone stares and murmurs “how cute” and I feel “cool” because I have this cute little dog everyone likes. Well, this morning I was waiting at a crosswalk and another young guy comes up behind me with his dog. Only difference is his dog is 75lbs and poops the size of my dog. There he & his dog are, standing proud, all big and tough. Here I am with my skinny jeans, messenger bag, and girly dog. It felt like an eternity waiting for that da*n walk sign to flash. I just wanted to run away and hide under a rocker never to be seen again!!

I suddenly felt self-conscious with my little dog, in some ways less of a man than Mr. Tough guy and his “killer” standing next to me!! Of course I love my puppy but some days I wish he was bigger, leaner, and meaner!! Is that bad?!

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Even though his mom (THK Operations Director) “claims” he’s had his bad moments, Charlie dog is such a sweet gentle guy! He’s quite the star in the office. His photo is on the Honest Kitchen website, he’s in our latest brochure, he has made it onto the page of a training book, and there is even a few paintings of him on our office walls.

Everyone has probably heard that Dalmatians have a lot of energy. Well, running top speed with ears flying high is on Charlie Dog’s Top 10 list of favorite things to do. Though if you set up a bowl of food on the trail, he would certainly take a moment to clean the bowl before proceeding on his route. He loves swimming and could care less about how cold the water is - or whether it is ocean, lake, river, or simply splashing around in the muddiest puddle he can find before getting back in the car. White Dog, brown mud DON’T MIX, as Laurette has learned (his momma).

C-Dog, as we call him, is a 50lb lap dog when he feels needy, luckily he is small for a male Dalmatian. He does love any kind of adventure, as long as his mom gets to come along too. He has seen a great deal of the country, Mexico too. He loves road trips: San Diego deserts, to Washington to Glacier National Park.

There are no complaints about Charlie Dog, EXCEPT for one! He loves to drool gallons at a time, leaving shoelaces hanging from his mouth whenever he smells food or anything tasty!! But other than that, he’s SPOT on!

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Every employee at The Honest Kitchen is shadowed by a few 4-legged friends. Because we love our dogs so much I’ll be introducing them all in the next few days.

Meet Roxi, one of Jenna’s (our customer service whiz) Boston Terriers, or as she likes to call them, Bosties!! She’s still a young pup (will be 2 this fall) and loves picking on smaller dogs, though she makes up for her bully ways with lots of kisses for her mommy! When fresh laundry comes out of the dryer Roxi gets super excited because she loves rolling around in the warm pile of clothes.

I do not think a day goes by Jenna doesn’t mention something wonderful, funny, or adorable Roxi has done. If she ever decides to have a child of two legs it must be ready to play 2nd fiddle to little Roxi! She says she “loves Roxi more than anything on this earth”! But of course, this is how we all feel about our pups right?! Roxi doesn’t come to the office much, as she prefers to run and play in her yard at home with her brother Texi (a Bostie too), but when she does it definitely brightens up the place.

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Meet Stitch, the newest addition to The Honest Kitchen’s canine family. He’s a miniature Pinscher, 12 weeks old and weighs in at 3lbs. He’s a little tyke and weighs less than our biggest office pup’s poop!! Don’t mistake his size for weakness though, as the little guy is already plotting office domination of the big dogs! Min Pins are no joke ;-)…

He likes to help daddy work, and drink his Dr. Pepper.

He insisted on hacking into my computer..To do something mischievous I’m sure!

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