Here around our office, we’ve got a certain staff member with better work habits than most of us – Chrondog Hank, who unflaggingly keeps tabs on the squirrels in our atrium, greets visitors with a warm wag, and never complains about a case of the Mondays or the crummy state of media.

For our second annual Pet Issue, and inspired by Hank, we’re paying tribute to working pets, from an 800-pound spotted pig and a (comparatively petite) funeral therapy dog to our cover subject, Sid the Regal Beagle, whose viral video not eating a slice of pizza launched owner Alex Hopes’ second career as a dog photographer with a loyal following on his Instagram account, @ZilkerBark. Thanks to Hopes for shooting our cover this week, and to Sid, Austin’s dog mayor, for working the camera like a pro. – Kimberley Jones

This article appears in February 9 • 2018.

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