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BARK WEEK: Hospitality Dogs, the Backbone of Great Chefs

Meet the dogs behind Denver’s top chefs, restaurant owners, and hospitality professionals.
Written By: author avatar Linnea Covington
author avatar Linnea Covington
Linnea Covington is the managing editor of DiningOut. She comes to us with a long background in food, restaurant and drinks journalism. Over the last two decades she's written for tons of publications including Denver Post, Washington Post, Forbes Travel Guide, 5280 Magazine, New York Magazine, New York Times, Time Out New York and more.
Angela Neri owns Pony Up and Side Pony, and the former celebrates her beloved pup. | Photo by Angela Neri
Angela Neri owns Pony Up and Side Pony, and the former celebrates her beloved pup. | Photo courtesy Angela Neri

It’s Bark Week! To celebrate all things dogs and restaurants, we invited industry professionals to send in photos and information about their beloved pets. From a chef who rescues pups to a dog with his own portrait to a canine employee of the month, read on to learn about these outstanding furry friends. 

Louis Bear

Human: Angela Neri, owner of Pony Up and Side Pony

Breed: French Bulldog

How long have you been together? 8 years

Tell us something about Louis Bear: He is all personality! It’s like he knows that there is a huge portrait of him in the bar so he always walks in like he owns the place.

Birdie aka Larry Bird

Top Chef alumni Carrie Baird and her Dachshund Birdie. | Photo courtesy of Carrie Baird
Top Chef alumni Carrie Baird and her Dachshund Birdie | Photo courtesy of Carrie Baird

Human: Chef Carrie Baird of Fox & the Hen and Culinary Creative Group

Breed: Dachshund

Favorite thing about Birdie: My favorite thing about her is her athleticism. She’s a natural athlete, protector, and hunter. Ha, not really, she has zer skills. 

Chef John Wilson and All His Dogs 

Chef John Wilson and his wife rescue dogs. | Photo courtesy of John Wilson
Chef John Wilson and his wife rescue dogs | Photo courtesy of John Wilson

Human: John Wilson, chef and co-owner of Bella Colibri and Old Capitol Grill and Smokehouse in Golden 

10 Rescue Dogs: Luna and Cooper, Great Pyrenees; Honey and Dom, mixed breed seniors; Maya Lou, Border Collie; Chuck Norris, Yorkie; Stevie Nicks, a Maltipoo and Korean slaughterhouse survivor; Hugo, the newest member who is a Poodle mix; and not pictured dogs include Angel, a three-legged feral dog and Alvin, both Yulin Dog Meat Festival survivors

Tell us about your rescue mission: John’s wife is a passionate animal rescuer and serves as the Development Manager at the Humane Society of the South Platte Valley. She and John have a special place in their hearts for senior and special needs dogs, and there’s always a foster pup in their home.

Marge and Ham Bone

Cliff and Cara Blauvelt with their dogs Ham Bone and Marge. | Photo by Meaghan Kelly
Cliff and Cara Blauvelt with their dogs Ham Bone and Marge | Photo by Meaghan Kelly

Humans: Cliff and Cara Blauvelt, chef and co-owners of Odie B’s and the soon-to-open Boombots Pasta Shop

Breed: English Bulldogs

How long have you been together? Ham Bone since COVID and Marge since April, 2025 

Favorite thing about your pets: For Ham Bone, every day is the best day of his life. Then there’s  Marge, she’s in her goblin era. A shout out to Mac the cat. Also, the dogs have their own Instagram so please follow: @margeandhambone

Oreo

Natalie Pilsk, Front Office Manager at Hotel Teatro with her dog Oreo. | Photo courtesy of Hotel Teatro
Natalie Pilsk Front Office Manager at Hotel Teatro with her dog Oreo | Photo courtesy of Hotel Teatro

Human: Natalie Pilsk, Front Office Manager at Hotel Teatro

Breed: Australian Shepherd

How long have you been together? 5.5 years 

Tell us something about Oreo: I love his morning cuddles and high energy. 

Mr. Charlie

Delores Tronco, owner of The Greenwich has a dog taller than herself. | Photo courtesy of Delores Tronco
Delores Tronco owner of The Greenwich has a dog taller than herself | Photo courtesy of Delores Tronco

Human: Delores Tronco, owner of The Greenwich

Dog name: Mr. Charlie

Breed: A mix of Great Pyrenees, Maremma, and St. Bernard, otherwise known as the Colorado Mountain Dog 

Time Together: 3.5  years 

Tell us something about Mr. Charlie: My favorite thing about Mr. Charlie is the genuine joy and wonderment he brings to others. Whether we’re out for a walk, running errands, or at the restaurant, people stop and honestly lose their minds over him. “He’s so big! How much does he weigh? He’s regal! Magnificent!” These are all things we hear regularly, and I have to agree with them. The dog is a prince.

Bonus: Mr. Charlie is the official “Employee of the Month” at The Greenwich indefinitely, he even has his photo up at the host stand.

Galaxie aka Miss Baby

The owner of Lucy's Burger Bar even has her dog as part of the logo. | Photo courtesy of
The owner of Lucys Burger Bar even has her dog as part of the logo | Photo courtesy of Michelle Meesh McGlone

Human: Michelle ‘Meesh’ McGlone, owner of Lucy’s Burger Bar

Breed: Corgi mix

How long have you been together? 12 magical years and counting 

Favorite thing about Galaxie: Includes but not limited to every single thing from the rooter to the tooter.

Black Cat Farm Dogs

Chef and farmer Eric Skokan with some of his working dogs. | Photo by Linnea Covington
Chef and farmer Eric Skokan with some of his working dogs | Photo by Linnea Covington

Human: Eric and Jill Skokan, chef and co-owners of Black Cat Farmstead

The pup gang: Skye, a blend of Great Pyrenees, Akbash, Kangal, and Anatolian shepherd. Hazel, the newbie, who is a mix of the aforementioned four plus Karakachan.

What they do on the farm: They help the farm by protecting the flock of sheep every day from predators, mostly coyotes and mountain lions. The dogs live 24-7 with the sheep, which is exactly what they prefer. 

Neca and Bear

Cody Cheetham, executive chef at Tavernetta and Sunday Vinyl spending time with his pups. | Photo courtesy of Cody Cheetham
Cody Cheetham executive chef at Tavernetta and Sunday Vinyl spending time with his pups | Photo courtesy of Cody Cheetham

Human: Cody Cheetham, executive chef at Tavernetta and Sunday Vinyl

Breeds: Neca, Great Pyrenees, and Bear, Bull Mastiff 

How long have you been together? Neca was adopted five years ago. Bear was adopted one year ago. 

Favorite thing about your pets: Both dogs are seniors, so they are very easy going and good natured. They are also both gigantic with Bear capping at 150 pounds and Neca at 120 pounds. I love that they can look so intimidating while being total sweethearts. 

Axel Foley

Chef Sheila Lucero enjoying time with her adorable dog. | Photo courtesy of Sheila Lucero
Chef Sheila Lucero enjoying time with her adorable dog | Photo courtesy of Sheila Lucero

Human: Sheila Lucero, culinary director Big Red F 

Breed: French Bulldog

How long have you been together? 5 years

Favorite thing about Axel Foley: The unconditional love.

Ryder

Ben-Zion Yaakoby of Pizzeria Alberico with his furry friend. | Photo courtesy of Ben-Zion Yaakoby
Ben Zion Yaakoby of Pizzeria Alberico with his furry friend | Photo courtesy of Ben Zion Yaakoby

Human: Ben-Zion Yaakoby, general manager of Pizzeria Alberico

Breed: Hungarian Puli

How long have you been together? 3.5 years 

Favorite thing about Ryder: His ability to dance with excitement on two legs, without fail, when I get home from work. 

Porter

The general manager of The Nickel and Hotel Teatro with her dog Porter. | Photo courtesy of Courtney Griffith bark week
The general manager of The Nickel and Hotel Teatro with her dog Porter | Photo courtesy of Courtney Griffith

Human: Courtney Griffith, General Manager of The Nickel and Hotel Teatro

Breed: Labrador Retriever

How long have you been together? 7 years 

Tell us something about Porter: Porter has a calm demeanor for a lab but is known to have a playful spirit for my 5 a.m. wakeup call. He gets a good case of the zoomies when we get home from work or when it snows. He is the perfect companion for our lifestyle and always ready for a spontaneous road trip or outdoor adventure. He’s the best!

author avatar
Linnea Covington Managing Editor Denver
Linnea Covington is the managing editor of DiningOut. She comes to us with a long background in food, restaurant and drinks journalism. Over the last two decades she's written for tons of publications including Denver Post, Washington Post, Forbes Travel Guide, 5280 Magazine, New York Magazine, New York Times, Time Out New York and more.

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