Happy National Love Your Pet(s) Day! When we count the ways in which we are fortunate to work for Koné Consulting, near the top of the list is having our furry companions by our sides throughout the workday. Those of you who’ve worked with us may have seen or heard (Odie!) a few of these delightful do-gooders in passing, and we think it’s high time we introduce you.

(Following introductions you’ll find the benefits of pet ownership and how “Woofices” are improving workplace health, creativity and satisfaction.)

Mrs. Norris aka “Mew Mew” (Christina)

When home, Christina has the company of Mrs. Norris who joined their family when their beloved golden retriever Cooper reached 14 and was on the decline. Mrs. Norris is two now and she loves to make an appearance when Christina is on a video conference. She is also working on her keyboarding skills – sometimes “helping” Christina with e-mail composition - hopefully you haven’t noticed her additions (e.g. jksjdijidjimvijjjjjji29937rr).

Christina is also lucky to sometimes provide care for Karin’s dog (also named Cooper), who she says is a very sweet and gentle boy. A devout animal lover, any walk outside finds Christina looking with quiet merriment for creatures large and small.

Sunni, Odie, Simba and Soba (Koné Consulting HQ – Alicia, Sekou, Isaac)

Kind and patient Sunni the Golden Retriever joined the Koné family in 2004 as a companion for their first family dog, Buddy the miniature Dachshund. Buddy and Sunni were the original KC HQ office dog pack. Buddy passed away in 2016, so later that year Odie the Pocket Beagle joined the pack. Happy-go-lucky Odie greets visitors with a distinct howl (he is a hound, after all), and persistent presentation of his tummy for scratching. Completely blind, Odie knows how to make an entrance (usually by using his nose to sniff his way through it!) Cats Simba the Ragdoll Siamese and Soba the Medium-haired Tortoise Shell are just getting to know each other as Soba joined the family last week. Both cats were re-homed as adults- Simba’s 85-year-old owner moved to assisted living and Simba wasn’t allowed, and Soba was rescued from a Seattle shelter by a family friend but wasn’t getting along with the other cat in the household. Obviously, it’s a, “the more the merrier” situation at the Koné compound.

Cooper, Freya and Sigrid (Karin)

Cooper, a very handsome and oft-dignified rescue (until he and Odie get to roughhousing) spent the first few years of his life in Texas before finding his “furever” home with Karin three years ago. His past is mysterious but his love of people and outdoor adventures with Karin is apparent. DNA testing revealed Cooper is an American Staffordshire Terrier mix and shed light on his sweet disposition and love of rodent hunting. Best guess is he is six or seven years old; his contemplative nature implies a wisdom beyond his years. Sigrid (13) is the oldest and the most snuggly (drool and all) of the menagerie, though most wouldn’t know as she meets the definition of scaredy-cat when there are visitors. Freya is the newest addition, finding her way home from Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) where Karin volunteers. She is around two years old but still has a lot of kitten in her and passes the time by calling at birds and playing in Karin’s plants. Both girls are short-haired black cats, but their eyes make it easy to tell them apart. Glimpses of Freya and Sigrid may be seen during videoconferences as they dart about in the background, or, when viewers are lucky, in all their glory, up close and personal (if you get our drift).

Amy and Miss Ing (Erika)

Amy (10), a young-at-heart Cockapoo enjoys looking out the front window and alerting Erika whenever there’s a delivery (or a leaf blowing by), while long-haired orange tabby Miss Ing (“Missing”) was a stray taken in 16 years ago and has grown up with the family. She’s blind in one eye and quietly sleeps away the day on a nearby chair, preferring to save most of her interactions for the middle of the night.

Madame Tubs, Lucy and Charlie (Katharina)

Madame Tubs likes ice cream and wearing her tiara. At 19 years old, she’s the oldest of our KC pets. Despite a limp she's in relatively good health. In her old age she's learned she can get away with anything and boldly walks to the kitchen demanding to be feed on an hourly basis. She will gladly eat anything including (but not limited to): cheese, ice cream, broccoli, hot Cheetos, beer, bread, and so on.

Lucy (in the foreground of pic) and Charlie (background) are half/Pomeranian half/Chihuahua turn ten years old this year. They are energetic but sweet doggies whose (yippy Chihuahua like) barks are definitely worse than their bites. They love attention and especially running around at the numerous dog beaches/parks the Edmonds and greater Seattle area have to offer.