As part of our commitment to creating a work environment that honors every facet of life, Sounds True employees are invited to bring their four-legged friends to the office. We are grateful for the cheerful and loving energy that comes from sharing our space with our canine companions—as many as 15 on any given day! Here are some of the dogs that regularly join us in our work and play:
JasmineCompanion: Tami S., Publisher
Description: Jasmine (aka “The Noodle,” “Jazoodle,” or “JPC”—Jasmine Puppy Cakes) is one good-looking dog. She is an oversized blonde cocker spaniel with floppy ears and silky hair and a short tail that wags tirelessly. She wears a pink bejeweled collar with a large pink crystal necklace. Little girls love Jasmine and often think she is a stuffed animal that walked off the shelf. Jasmine is unusually intelligent (one spiritual teacher recording at ST remarked that Jasmine possessed the evolutionary development of a monkey in terms of her ability to pay attention and absorb new ideas). Jasmine’s“personal growth challenge” is recognizing that food does not equal love. She has been coming to work with Tami since 2001 and counts among her best friends several beloved Sounds True employees.
Jasmine Recommends:
When Food Is Food & Love Is Love
BoscoCompanion: Karen P., Managing Art Director
Description: Bosco has been a fixture in the halls of the second floor for more than 5 years. He’s known for his dashing good looks, mellow demeanor, and ability to speak fluent Wookie. He attends all-company meetings regularly and adds his opinions when so moved. Among his favorite pastimes: chasing a Frisbee in the hall and snoozing on the cool linoleum.
Bosco Recommends:
The Power of Slow
SassyCompanion: Alex G., Direct Marketing Chief
Description: Sassy (aka Shnoozles) is a golden-colored Lab mix, adopted from a shelter in Glenwood Springs. Eternally cheerful and easy to get along with, Sassy’s biggest challenge is dealing with tile floors—the lack of traction is simply too unnerving. She has a healthy appetite both for pets and for treats, and is very happy she can come to work with her person and keep an eye on him. She loves to play with her canine co-workers, and has made herself well-known (possibly notorious) amongst the rabbit population surrounding Sounds True.
Sassy Recommends:
True Abundance
FionaCompanion: Kristie M., Marketing Manager
Description: Fiona (aka Peanut, Fee Fi, Pooshkers) is ostensibly a short haired Brussels griffon, though at times she has seamlessly imitated a cat, a bat, and a baby. Once a bundle of anxiety, Fiona now loves to come to work so much that she grabs the keys herself and charges out the door ahead of her mother. She’s come a long way since her early uncertainty, and now can handle a two-hour hike without breaking a (figurative) sweat. With her small-dog vulnerability and bighearted affection, Fiona’s greatest asset is her ability to make anybody smile.
Fiona Recommends:
Self-Esteem: Your Fundamental Power
CrackyCompanion: Tori C., Web Product Manager
Description: Cracky is a whacked-out wiener dog with a big attitude carried upon 10 wee pounds of body mass. She enjoys snarfing in the kitchen, sleeping in sunbeams, and barking—just in case. Cracky ignores all commands and her only trick is running on 3 legs when in pursuit of larger dogs who have less attitude than herself.
Cracky Recommends:
Out of Your Mind
FifeCompanion: Kristen C., Accounts Receivable Coordinator
Description: Fife enjoys long walks on the beach, bubble baths, candlelit dinners, and snacking between meals. Just ask her one true love, Sounds True’s very own national account manager, for whom she would leave her guardian of 9 years in a heartbeat. Love REALLY knows no boundaries.
Fife Recommends:
Mother Night
AsiaCompanion: Kristen C., Accounts Receivable Coordinator
Description: The best Heinz 57 in the world! What else can you say about this perfect angel?
Asia Recommends:
The Noble Heart
XanderCompanion: Theresa F., Managing Director
Description: Xander (also Alexander the Great, or Xander Bear) is a Great Pyrenees, possibly part yeti. With his soulful eyes and peaceful nature, Xander exudes an air of inner tranquility that can bring the stress levels down during even the busiest workday. Though he has been known to indulge his overprotective side, Xander is especially good with children, and will graciously play the pony for very young riders. As one might expect from his glorious white coat, Xander’s season of choice is winter—he loves plowing majestically through the deep snow and herding the local elk around his yard.
Xander Recommends:
Through a Dog’s Ear: Music to Calm Your Canine Companion, Vol. 1
LunaCompanion: Grayson T., Copywriter
Description: Luna (aka Luna Lovegood, Lunatic, or the Duck-Billed Lunadon) is an Australian shepherd crossed with a chainsaw, and perhaps a dash of kangaroo. The beautiful and speedy Luna came to her home from the Colorado Aussie Rescue. She enjoys crunchable treats, agility training, and breaking trail while her people snowshoe, and is currently trying for the world record in stuffed toy de-stuffing. Luna is a naturally sweet soul who is steadfast in her belief that all beings can achieve oneness through playing with tennis balls.
Luna Recommends:
GretaCompanion: Tori C., Web Product Manager
Description: It takes a special kind of dog to stand up to the fearsome battle aura of Cracky the dachshund, but Greta (aka Eeper or Monkeyface) is no ordinary canine. A black Brussels griffon mix, Greta is all lover and no fighter, so friendly that even her fearsome adoptive sister cannot help but adore her. If Greta seems shy when she first meets you, rest assured that she will quickly overcome this reflex to transform into a queen of snuggling—a process that can be accelerated if you have a Cheeto handy. In spite of her small stature, Greta can bound into her mother’s arms at the command of “uppy.”
Greta Recommends:
Radical Forgiveness
SavannaCompanion: Wendy A., Purchasing Manager
Description: Savanna (aka Savanna Montana, Banana, Vanna) is 7 years old and has grown up at Sounds True. She has a great office trick where she will deliver documents from Wendy to her co-workers in the office. Now if she could just learn how to drop the papers into the recycle bin we'd be making major progress. She has a loud bark but no bite!
Savanna Recommends:
Animal Speak
WillieCompanion: Billy B., Web Programmer
Description: Willie (or Woolie) is an athletic, playful, smart, and sweet Weimaraner who does not at all consider himself to be a dog. Though he has a fond place in his heart for his blanket, which he likes to have draped over his glossy coat even in the warm months of summer, there can be no question that his true focus in life is the ball. He has developed a Jedi mind trick known as the Ball Stare: he politely places the ball on your desk, then fixes you with a piercing golden gaze until the compulsion to throw the ball for him overwhelms all other thoughts in your mind. Willie has been known to maintain the Ball Stare for hours without blinking.
Willie Recommends:
Self-Healing with Guided Imagery
BarkleyCompanion: Lisa K., Associate Art Director
Description: Barkley (aka Barkley-Bear, Lion-Seal-Bear-Dog) is a golden retriever who appears to have some teddy bear in his ancestry. Though he takes more naps than he did in his younger years, Barkley still takes in life with a puppy’s enthusiasm and joy. Not only does Barkley not have a mean bone in his body, but with a simple flip and belly rub offering, he can thaw the cold heart of even the grumpiest Grinch. He will not even chew apart his stuffed retrieving toys, though repeated episodes of loving grooming sometimes leaves them a bit threadbare. Barkley defies the preconception that old dogs can’t learn new tricks, and enjoys learning new games and ways to have fun with his family.
Barkley Recommends:
The Force of Kindness
ArthurCompanion: Haven I., Production Editor
Description: Arthur (aka Arturo Lupe Sandoval or Fleem) is a Border collie/Australian shepherd mix who was picked up from the streets of New Mexico and brought to the doggie orphanage Puppy Lifeline, where his owners adopted him. Arthur loves swimming, long hikes (preferably through early-summer green meadows), harassing basset hounds, and stalking squirrels. In 2006 he slew a squirrel in his very own backyard. He is terrified of vacuums, pencils dropping unexpectedly to the floor, and the answering machine. He loves to cuddle. He loves love.
Arthur Recommends:
The Matrix Energetics Experience
ErnieCompanion: Haven I., Production Editor
Description: Ernie (Ernest), born May 29, 2008, is a basset hound and new to his owner and the Sounds True family. He likes cuddling with his big brother Arthur, and chewing up Crocs and the household toddler’s stuffed animals. When he isn't being entertained, he enjoys sniffing every square inch of his surroundings. He gets about wonderfully, despite occasionally stepping on his own ears. On a recent hike, 3 complete strangers said about Ernie, “Oh my gosh, that is the cutest dog I have seen in my entire life.”
Ernie Recommends:
Voice of a Leader
ShylaCompanion: Peter D., Web Projects Director
Description: Shyla appears to be a mix between a German shepherd and a husky, though it’s possible she’s also part snowmobile. Her specialty is tearing through the snow at blistering speeds, and she is perfectly happy to drag behind her any person on skis, a sled, or even just on their bottom. She is not sure why food that people have thrown away and aren’t even using anymore should be off-limits to her, and continues to struggle with this fundamentally illogical aspect of the human world. Apart from that, she is friendly and playful, and is very good at minding her pack leader.
Shyla Recommends:
Teachings on Love
OliveCompanion: Jaime S., Editorial
Description: Olive (aka “Olive-loo” or “Sweetledee”) is one of the newest (and most outspoken) members of the editorial team. She hails from the Pueblo Collie/Sheltie Rescue and has settled into the halls and hearts of Sounds True in record time. Olive has an amazing ability to open doors, jump baby gates (or miraculously remove them altogether), and generally make her presence known. Outside the office, she enjoys long hikes and runs with Jaime and thrives on heavy doses of daily doting.
Olive Recommends:
Healing Trauma
YoshiCompanion: Todd L., Graphic Artist
Description: Yoshi (sometimes known as Corky Boatshoes) is a pug, a whole pug, and nothing but a pug. He is thrilled by the arrival of other dogs or people into any situation, and tends to get a bit psyched at such times. He is a true snuggle champion, and is especially patient and loving with young children. In addition to his many fine qualities as a companion, Yoshi can perform a handstand while urinating, which he hopes one day will earn him an appearance on late-night television.
Yoshi Recommends:
The Art of Presence
WinstonCompanion: David K., Web Systems Administrator
Description: Winston is a young Welsh Pembroke corgi and a budding “canine shaman.” Virtually every dog that meets him, from skittish Dalmatians to gruff Dobermans, becomes calmer and friendlier in the presence of young Winston. A socialite at heart, Winston prefers pets over treats, and cannot leave any given room or park unless he has properly introduced himself to every person within visual range. Though Winston still has some challenges with regard to chewing, he is clearly an exceptional dog with powers that his humans have only begun to guess.
Winston Recommends:
A Path with Heart
NateCompanion: Diana N., Web QA
Description: Nate (aka Nate-oppotamus, the Destructinator, Natey-Potatey) is a young Labrador retriever with a zest for life. Though he is smart and frequently obedient, his thrill for the chase kicks in every time he sees a bird or a rabbit, overriding all other priorities. Unfortunately, his exuberance has gotten him into a few spots of trouble—he had a bad encounter with a car while he was chasing a rabbit, and he had to have a sock surgically extracted after he’d gulped it down in one bite. Still, at Sounds True he receives love and support from everyone around him, and has happily received energy healing techniques some of his human co-workers to help him bounce back from his injuries.
Nate Recommends:
SashaCompanion: Hayden P., Studio Engineer
Description: Sasha (aka “Beans”) is 20 lbs. of Border collie and 10 lbs. of hair. More Shaggy than Scooby, she has no idea she is of the canine genus. Sasha loves the sun, belly rubs, and car rides more than anything else—she dreads both bath time and fireworks equally. Sasha is an independent, but shows her affection by squeaking like an un-oiled gear when she realizes that you are home. Sasha has a racing stripe down her nose and runs faster than a golden bullet. She will turn the stuffing of a toy inside out in record time.
Sasha Recommends:
PiperCompanion: Hayden P., Studio Engineer
Description: Piper (aka “Bubs”) is a 100-pound lapdog with no sense of her own size. Being only part Lab (and part American bulldog), she will run to fetch a stick but not bring it back. The spot atop her head is her “off” button, but it has been broken for years. Water is her favorite pastime, and she will dunk her head to throw water into the air like an elephant. She feels the need to lean and step on her loved ones, most literally, and will knock you over with her weight. The most common thing we hear regarding Piper is, “What is she?” We still don’t know.
Piper Recommends:
