Best Friend Nutrition
New owners Cynthia and Casey Linden
680 W. Washington St. Suite B102, Sequim
Open: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
Contact: (360) 681-8458
On the Web: bestfriendnutrition.com; facebook.com/bestfriendnutrition
Retirement celebration 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 for former owners Hope and Jim Williams
There may be a new face behind the scenes, but the message remains the same at Best Friend Nutrition — to offer the best natural foods for Sequim’s pets.
Cynthia and Casey Linden officially took the reigns of the holistic and natural pet food store on Washington Street Dec. 1 last year and found Sequim to be the right fit for them and their 2-year-old son Cruz.
They follow Hope and Jim Williams who opened the store in 2003 and retired 14 years later. There’s a retirement celebration for the couple at the store from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17, which is open to the public.
In a letter to customers, the Williams wrote that the Lindens “have made the next part of our dream come true: to leave this business after 14 years in your more than capable hands as you go about making it even more successful serving our customers and their pets in the coming years.”
The Lindens, who moved from Burien, said they were originally considering opening a pet food store in Central Washington before learning of the opportunity in Sequim.
“It’s been an easy transition,” Cynthia said.
“We still plan to maintain the vision of Hope and Jim and plan to live up to my own standards of knowing all the food companies and what’s going in the food.
We research all our foods to make sure they meet our standards for our customers. It remains a top priority as we look to expand offerings while remaining true to our core beliefs.”
Best Friend Nutrition continues to offer all-natural dry, canned, raw, and alternative diet foods for cats, dogs, and rabbits.
Eating right
Cynthia said she’s been slowly looking at the foods she offers and seeing what they can add.
Her goal is to continue to offer a wide variety of foods and prices for customers.
“Anyone paying for grocery store pet food can afford premium pet food understanding that their pets will be eating less and will save with our frequent buyer program,” she said.
Cynthia said in her experience she’s learned that when done right the cost difference between generic and premium foods comes down to pennies.
“It’s worth the price tag,” she said.
Independent stores like Best Friend Nutrition, Cynthia says, can help customers find healthier options too.
“We have the training and knowledge to educate,” she said. “You can go anywhere to get pet food, but not to find the best fit for (your pets).”
Staff also want to help customers consider holistic treatment methods for ailments too, she said.
“There’s a place for traditional medicine and by combining it with natural health solutions the pet can have optimal health,” Cynthia said.
“I’m happy to discuss it and I believe we can work hand-in-hand with a vet. We’re seeing a movement towards natural healing.”
About the Lindens
Since moving here last September, the Lindens say Sequim is a perfect place to raise their son while maintaining their lifestyle of eating organically, growing their own food, and enjoying a quieter life.
Cynthia holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Zoology from the University of Washington and has extensive education in cat and dog physiology, nutrition and behavior.
Post graduation, she changed course from becoming a veterinarian to focus on what she says is the blossoming natural pet care movement.
She worked in managerial roles for Mud Bay and Pet Pros before taking more than a year off to be with Cruz at home. Casey worked as a general contractor, but now stays at home with their son and continues to build the couple’s new home.
Cynthia said she’s realized her dream of owning a holistic pet food store.
For more information on Best Friend Nutrition, call (360) 681-8458 or visit www.bestfriendnutrition.com.
Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.
L.B. the family dog for Cynthia and Casey Linden walks among Best Friend Nutrition’s rows last week. The Lindens purchased the natural pet food store late last year saying Sequim was the perfect place to raise their 2-year-old and live an organic and quieter lifestyle. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
