146 Comments

I don’t know what’s scarier, the prospect of eating dog food for seven days or the fact that I didn’t even question that this was something you actually did.

Expand full comment
author

Glad to hear that? Maybe?

Expand full comment

It didn't even occur to me until I read the other comments, but is this an April Fool's joke? Love your mom's remark about not forgetting to walk yourself!

Expand full comment
author

Yes my mom's remark was best Vicki! I miss my mom!

Expand full comment

I know the feeling.

Expand full comment

So, just 3% of us subscribers pay. I assume some are monthly like me, whilst others pay annually or one-off. Charities always go to their regular supporters for a little more cash when they need extra help, so perhaps that is the way forward for you too. I may be 80, in England on a pension, paying you £4 a month but you can have £5 a month with pleasure. You are a great writer. The best in my book. I’m rather proud to be one of those happy to help you make a go of things. I also like your NO PAYWALL POLICY. Enjoy your deserved break. Perhaps you can send us a postcard of Niagara Falls?

Expand full comment
author

Thank you aka Kevin! Your regular support—both the £s and regular comments and encouragement—means a lot!

Expand full comment
Apr 1Liked by Anne Kadet

As someone whose work has involved research with teens, I can tell you they can be GREAT interview subjects. Some of the best I’ve ever interviewed imo!

I will not comment on the dog food.

Expand full comment
author

Wonderful Leah! Let me know if you have ideas for questions please!

Expand full comment

You, dear Anne, are a bona fide nutbar. Your dog food eating story had me both laughing, and spontaneously covering my mouth in disgust 😅

Our dog is 13 years old and has been losing weight at a dangerous rate recently. We've been trying all sorts of different foods, and keeping a log of what she likes and doesn't like (she ate high-end kibble for her entire life, but now she won't touch the stuff). One thing she loves is beef tripe, which literally makes me gag each time I open a can, it smells so bad. I shouldn't be telling you this. You're liable to run out and buy some.

Expand full comment
author

Haha so funny BA!

Even the tripe for people I see in the butcher shop turns my stomach. But I'm happy you found something your doggo likes!

Expand full comment

You and our dog would have a lot to talk about.

Expand full comment

Very well done April Fool's post! And if it's not an April Fool's, good luck on your new diet!

Expand full comment
author

Haha thank you Jared.

Honestly, I don't get why people think this is so outrageous it has to be an April Fool's joke. I should have run it on a different day.

Expand full comment

you know that feeling when you see an artist or athlete you love just sorta take things to the next level? like they were a superstar but then they do something and it's like whoa, they're now one of the all time greats, ready for any hall of fame that shall have them?

this hunter s thomson gonzo piece of journalism did exactly that. Anne you are - and I say this sincerely - one of my heroes

Expand full comment
author

Awww Alex you're so sweet, and your comment really made my morning. Thank you!

Expand full comment
Apr 1Liked by Anne Kadet

Teen question: When was the last vegetable you ate, and did you choose it?

Expand full comment
author

Fun question—thank you Chuck! I'll add it to the list!

Expand full comment

So cool to see you in NY Mag!

Thank you for the shoutout; glad you liked the Cafe Anne cup drawing 🥳

Expand full comment
author

Loved it!

Expand full comment

After having been a CAFÉ ANNE reader for quite a while now, it never occurred to me that this could be an April Fools post. I know you're crazy enough to give almost anything a try, and I mean this as the highest compliment. I laughed out loud several times! Flavors that are attractive to dogs. But... Your Mom's advice! Your decline of Alpo.

My dog Max, a big boy, is almost 12 and I get for him some of the goodies you ate. It's expensive stuff! If you ever want to repeat your experiment, I suggest "The Honest Kitchen" brand, their dog food prides itself to be "human grade". As a vegan, I haven't tried it, but there's vegan kibble fit for human consumption. It's REALLY expensive.

Expand full comment
author

Haha thank you for believing in me Jessica!

They were selling some of that vegan human grade dog food at the vegan trade show I covered last year. I missed my big opportunity to try a free sample!

Expand full comment

How did you find your tartar levels after this week-long trial? There's probably a tie-in with the dental association in regards to the disclaimer that dog kibble is not intended for human consumption.

I loved this line "And is it just my imagination, or do I have brighter eyes and whiter teeth?"

As a kid, I had one of those custom iron-on t-shirts with velvet letters that spelled "Miss Meow." My nickname was actually Miss Mew (not sure how/why the 'o' was introduced on my shirt---maybe a sharp-eyed iron press employee?). Anyway, as Miss Mew/Miss Meow I enjoyed our Persian's Tender Vittles and Meow Mix just as much as she did. And I wasn't opposed to the soft food either.

Thanks for the Jules in Canada cameo this week!

Expand full comment
author

Ah a fellow traveler!!! Yay!!!!

And yes, THEY are all in cahoots for sure.

Expand full comment

Anne, at no point did I feel like quoting When Harry Met Sally and saying, "I'll have what she is having."

Expand full comment
author

LOL Good one, Mark!

Expand full comment

Mostly what I read here is that retirement in America is still possible if I changed my diet by a little bit. Now, if only I could get my doctor to take my dog’s vet insurance, I’d be set! (I waited until today so you wouldn’t think I was making an April Fools joke because I absolutely am not.)

Expand full comment
author

Gerard, I love the idea of adopting the all-dog lifestyle for purposes of retirement planning. Perhaps you could also stay at a kennel? Though here in NYC, an overnight at a kennel costs roughly the same as the daily rate for a one-bedroom apt.

Expand full comment

True… but that includes dog food and people to entertain you and take you on walks and swimming… my last stay at a NYC hotel (Roger Smith, closed 😢, Henry the dog died but had his own bar) they just had a bowl of apples at the front desk, had to push my own elevator buttons, unlock my own room door, no regular walks, no free room service, had to flag down my own cab … nightmare being a human!!!! 😀😀

Expand full comment
author

TOTAL NIGHTMARE

Expand full comment

Anne, I don’t think your hair has ever looked shinier - are you using a new conditioner?

Expand full comment
author

Thank you for noticing, Bill. But as you know, it's just good nutrition!!!

Expand full comment

For anyone thinking this was an April Fool, I invite you to type "anne kadet dog food" into your search engine of choice. Although maybe you shouldn't, because you're not ready. None of us can ever be ready for a thing like this. Although there is - I can't stress this enough - no other thing like this.

Expand full comment
author

LOL thank you Mr. Sowden!

My experiment was also memorialized in a Ripley's Believe it or Not kid's book, "Fun Facts & Silly Stories" which has a big picture of me and Minnie. I'll have to include a photo of the spread in my next issue.

Expand full comment

Please set that up as a testimonial on your About page. "ANNE KADET - AS FEATURED IN RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT"

Expand full comment
author

I really should!

Expand full comment

This is still my all-time favorite piece of yours. Just incredible content.

Expand full comment
author

Oh wow, thank you Amran!

Expand full comment