146 Comments
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Rob Stephenson's avatar

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.

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Anne Kadet's avatar

Glad to hear that? Maybe?

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Vicki Smith's avatar

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!

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Anne Kadet's avatar

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

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Vicki Smith's avatar

I know the feeling.

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O L O Bunny🐰aka Kevin's avatar

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?

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Anne Kadet's avatar

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

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Leah Reich's avatar

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.

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Anne Kadet's avatar

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

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B.A. Lampman's avatar

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.

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Anne Kadet's avatar

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!

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B.A. Lampman's avatar

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

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Jared Holst's avatar

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

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Anne Kadet's avatar

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.

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Alex Dobrenko`'s avatar

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

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Anne Kadet's avatar

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

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Chuck Flacks's avatar

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

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Anne Kadet's avatar

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

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Jason Chatfield's avatar

So cool to see you in NY Mag!

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

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Anne Kadet's avatar

Loved it!

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Jessica Rath's avatar

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.

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Anne Kadet's avatar

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!

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Jules Torti's avatar

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!

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Anne Kadet's avatar

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

And yes, THEY are all in cahoots for sure.

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Mark R DeLong's avatar

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

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Anne Kadet's avatar

LOL Good one, Mark!

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Gérard Mclean's avatar

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.)

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Anne Kadet's avatar

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.

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Gérard Mclean's avatar

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!!!! 😀😀

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Anne Kadet's avatar

TOTAL NIGHTMARE

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Bill Southern's avatar

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

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Anne Kadet's avatar

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

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Mike Sowden's avatar

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.

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Anne Kadet's avatar

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.

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Mike Sowden's avatar

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

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Anne Kadet's avatar

I really should!

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Amran Gowani's avatar

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

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Anne Kadet's avatar

Oh wow, thank you Amran!

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