West Seattle, Washington
27 Sunday
(Reader photo)
Thanks for the texted photo and tip! A month and a half ago, the “leased” sign went up in the windows of the former Wells Fargo branch at California/Admiral, but the future tenant was not announced … until now … aside from leasing broker Jason Miller telling us it was a “local business.” As shown in the photo above, that business has revealed itself via sign in the window to be pet-supplies store Mud Bay, which has its current West Seattle store a short distance away, at 2611 California SW. The sign says the move will happen “this fall.” The West Seattle store isn’t commenting; we have an inquiry out to the regional mini-chain’s corporate headquarters in Olympia. We don’t know how/whether this factored into the move decision, but the building where the Admiral store is a current tenant has been listed for sale for some months.
We have long published West Seattle obituaries free of charge. Every so often, we receive one for a beloved pet. (We published one of our own a few years ago.) Today, the family of Georgia the Wonder Dog wants to tell her story:
Blessed with a beautiful black shaggy tuxedo coat and a good-natured demeanor, all kids – and most adults – loved her personality passionately. They could see the connection and affection deep in her brown, human-like eyes.
Georgia was big with huge paws and could have easily been mistaken for a giant muppet or a small child stuck in a black bear costume.
She was large on loyalty and ripe with a unique canine-level of FOMO. She loved her family fiercely and always wanted them together. She was a consummate herder; if the kids ran ahead on the way to the West Seattle Sunday Farmers Market, or zipped past her on their wheels, she would pull the leash like an Iditarod champion — yelping and whining to get to them.
She was legitimately scared of the dark and only liked going around half the block late at night. She was spooked by the wind and flags flapping in it befuddled her. A Great Dane charged its fence once looking to play but she skirted away so fast, she knocked me flat on my back instead.
You might have heard Georgia barking at your dog from our deck or saw her carrying too-big-of-sticks in a lopsided fashion around the blocks near Olympia Coffee.
Whatever it was, it was all personality with Georgia. She would come to my side of the bed to give me kisses and wake me up. Because she was too big to turn around she had to back out past the wall and the edge of the bed slowly like one of those trucks that beeps in reverse.
She loved ball toss, lying in tall grass, snuggling the kids, lying on her back on the couch, playing in the snow, eating Zuks salmon treats from Next to Nature (and perhaps stealing a treat or two from the bulk bins … shhh), and running free with her dog walker Sue and her Tuesday off-leash pals.
She chased blackbirds and squirrels but her true obsession was bunny rabbits. She never did get one.
Sadly, Georgia passed away from an infection she couldn’t beat on December 9th, 2024.
We tried so hard to save her. She was our BFF (Best Fur Friend) and will be missed forever and ever.
We love you, Georgia dog!
—
Special thanks to Drs. Wolfe and Wood and staff at Lien Vet Clinic as well as Dr. Ravi and dog whisperer-extraordinaire Adrienne at Animal Medical Center of Seattle for all their efforts and professionalism. Please consider donating any amount to an Emergency Vet Assistance program like redrover.org
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to we*************@***il.com)
10:50 AM: As we’ve been previewing, you can visit the West Seattle Farmers’ Market today for more than shopping – you can also check in with the Seattle Parks team planning West Seattle’s second off-leash area, on the south side of the WS Stadium grounds, in an area currently designated for overflow parking. Today’s booth is under the red canopy you’ll see close to the north end of the east side of the market, with the three design concepts on easels:
We asked the off-leash area’s designer Steve Nowaczyk, who’s with landscape-architecture firm HBB, about the primary differences to look for. He said the entryways on the north side are significantly different, as are the concepts for separating areas of the park, and how you’d travel through the park – two designs have a “social trail” around the periphery, while the other has a trail that’s more central. Each will have some accessible parking, but no additional general parking area beyond what’s already there for the golf course and stadium – the idea is for this to be more of a draw for those within walking distance, a more “neighborhood”-focused facility. They’re also particularly interested in whether you think the dog park will need lighting – it’s not currently planned, but could be incorporated. Meantime, at today’s event, you can put heart stickers on features and/or entire concepts that you like:
They’re also taking written comments:
And ready to answer questions – that’s Steve at right in the photo below:
In addition to stopping by this booth before 2 pm today, here’s another way to get a close-up look at the three concepts, and offer your opinion: An online survey will open soon. These designs will also be added to the website for the project, which is slated for construction next year.
8:53 PM: Just checked the project site, and it’s been updated since today’s event. Here’s the survey, which includes all three of the concept graphics shown today, and a request for you to rank them.
(WSB photo at future off-leash-area site during October event)
Even if you don’t usually go to the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, you might want to visit this Sunday (February 23) if you have something to say about the plan for West Seattle’s second off-leash area. Almost a year ago, Seattle Parks announced that an area on the south side of the West Seattle Stadium grounds would become the site of our area’s second dog park. At the Farmers’ Market this Sunday, Parks plans an “open house” table/booth, four months after the previous “engagement event” at the future park site, currently used for overflow parking. Parks says its project team and design consultant will be at the market to show “concept design options” as well as gathering feedback and answering questions. The West Seattle site, expected to be built next year, is one of two new off-leash areas in the city that are budgeted together for $3.1 million from the Seattle Park District‘s second “funding cycle.” Sunday’s “open house” is scheduled for the same hours as the regular market, 10 am-2 pm.
(WSB photo at future off-leash-area site during October event)
As first reported last March, Seattle Parks has officially chosen an area on the south side of the West Seattle Stadium grounds to become the site of our area’s second dog park (officially, “off-leash area”). Today, Parks announced the next opportunity for community comment: An “open house” at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market on Sunday, February 23, 10 am-2 pm. That’ll be four months after the previous “engagement event” on the future park site, currently used as an overflow-parking area. Parks’ announcement says its “project team and design consultant will be available to answer questions, present concept design options, and gather valuable community feedback” to help shape the park’s final design. So far, they’re planning that it will include “fencing, seating for pet owners, and an environmentally friendly stormwater bioretention area with thoughtful plantings.” It’s one of two new off-leash areas budgeted together for $3.1 million from the Seattle Park District‘s second “funding cycle,” and construction is currently projected for next year.
When we talked with Pet Pros West Seattle staff one week ago, they confirmed the Jefferson Square store was closing but said they didn’t know when. The regional chain’s headquarters did not answer our subsequent inquiry, but this morning, tipster Mel told us she had found the sign in her photos on the door, and no one in the store. ‘
We just went over to verify and indeed the store is closed (it would normally have opened for the day at 10 am), and the shelves have been emptied. Pet Pros moved its West Seattle store there two years ago, after 15 years at Westwood Village, which ended when a franchise of Pet Supplies Plus moved to WWV.
Thanks for the tips. The Pet Pros store in Jefferson Square is closing. That was confirmed by Nina, who we talked to by phone; she told us she’s worked for PP for 14 years and just got word of the closure. She told us she didn’t have details – such as the last day – yet. Pet Pros moved to J-Square two years ago, after 15 years at Westwood Village, a run that ended when national chain Pet Supplies Plus moved to that center. The J-Square space isn’t yet listed for lease on the center’s website yet, but it’s next to two others that are – the temp See’s Candies shop and the former U-Frame It space – plus it’s just a few doors down from the vacant ex-Supercuts. The center is likely to face the wrecking ball if West Seattle light rail stays on the path that Sound Transit‘s board voted to support earlier this year, but construction is at least three years out.
Thanks for the tip! That sign announces a new business on the way to the former Second Gear Sports space at 6529 California SW in Morgan Junction – Happy Doggy, described as a pet grooming salon and self-serve dog wash, aiming to open in January. We have messages out to the person listed in public records as the owner, hoping to find out more. The signage mentions a specific dog-washing system – here’s the background on that.)
In case you happened onto that scene on the south side of the AJ Apartments at 42nd/Oregon earlier this afternoon – there’s a happy ending. A cat got out of its harness and managed to get itself stuck in the undercarriage of that car. Concerned helpers covered the car with tarps to contain the cat in case it bolted, and tried to figure out what to do. (That’s one helper on their side on the ground to the left of the car!) A tipster contacted us, and we stopped by but couldn’t hang around to see how it turned out. The tipster just texted us that they managed to get the cat out and all’s well:
“It was wedged in some kind of housing,” the tipster reports. “Cats can do crazy things.”
Another scene from this almost-holiday-season Saturday – pet photos during today’s West Seattle Nursery open house. Our videographer recorded many of the participating pups posing, or not! (The patient photographer was Tessa Gold.)
By Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Neighbors gathered Wednesday afternoon at the site of West Seattle’s future second off-leash area (OLA) dog park to learn more about the project and to give feedback to the project team.
Members of the public are encouraged to share feedback by taking the online survey, which is open until November 11th. Project information from Seattle Parks is available online here.
As we previewed here, the “West Seattle Stadium Off-Leash Area outreach event” was held at the proposed site just south of West Seattle Stadium (4432 35th Ave SW), as illustrated in this 2023 image from Seattle Parks:
The location for the site was finalized 6 months ago, and this Seattle Parks visual from yesterday’s event gives a closer look at the overhead view of the site:
The site area is 16,000 square feet (.37 acre) and the team is in the early stages of gathering community feedback. The project charter is to “turn the current unpaved overflow parking lot into an OLA (off-leash area) featuring a fenced area for unleashed dogs, seating, and a planted stormwater bioretention area.”
After the survey closes on November 11th, the team will work on design options to bring back to the public for feedback in February/March 2025, and then more detailed construction designs will be created. Actual construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2026 and be completed in fall 2026. Seattle Parks is providing $3.1 mm for the planning, design, and construction of two OLAs, including this one at West Seattle Stadium as well as one at Othello Playground (4351 S Othello St.)
Team members on-hand Wednesday included project planner Colin Campbell from Seattle Parks, landscape architect Steve Nowaczyk from HBB Landscape Architects who will work on the site designs, and Alec Rodenhauser the chair of COLA (Citizens for Off-Leash Areas) who work with Parks and do local advocacy for OLA projects.
Team members said there was a steady stream of people (as well as 4-legged canine citizens) stopping by on Wednesday afternoon, some who intentionally made the trip, and others who were walking through the area and happened across the event (which project planner Campbell said is “encouraging” and “tells us we’ve got the right spot.”)
Attendees provided their feedback verbally, via note cards as well as sticky notes and stickers, regarding desired features and preferred usage of the OLA:
Project signage is also posted at the site:
The West Seattle area’s only current OLA is further south at Westcrest Park (9000 8th Ave. SW).
For questions about the West Seattle Stadium off-leash project, visit the project website or contact project planner Colin Campbell at 206-790-6642 or Co************@*****le.gov.
Also, not far from West Seattle, the project team will also be at Othello Playground (4351 S Othello St, southwest corner of the park) today, Thursday, October 24th, from 4-6 pm to gather community feedback about a similar off-leash project that’s planned for that location.
(2023 Seattle Parks image of stadium study area for off-leash area)
Half a year after finalizing the location for West Seattle’s second off-leash area, Seattle Parks is inviting you to a “community engagement event” to find out more about it and offer comments. It’s set for 4-6 pm Wednesday, October 23, at West Seattle Stadium (where the new off-leash area will be created in the “unpaved overflow parking lot” south of the stadium). Parks’ announcement of the event says, “SPR’s project team and design consultant will be available to answer questions, present design concepts, and gather valuable community feedback (to) help shape the final design.” The announcement adds, “Attendees are also encouraged to bring their dogs on-leash in costume for a fun treat. SPR will be accepting pet food donations to benefit the Seattle Animal Shelter at the event or you can visit seattle.gov/animal-shelter/get-involved/donate to donate.” Parks says the off-leash area “will include fencing, seating for pet owners, and an environmentally friendly stormwater bioretention area with thoughtful plantings.” The project page says Parks is currently aiming to build the new West Seattle off-leash area in 2026.
P.S. We asked Parks two followup questions about the October 23 event – where exactly at the stadium, and is it strictly “drop-in”? Spokesperson Rachel Schulkin replied, “The gravel overflow parking lot that is usually chained/blocked off. Take the turn off of 35th Ave SW down the driveway toward the stadium/golf course and it will be immediately on the right. We’ll be the first thing people see when they pull into the stadium/golf course driveway so it should be easy to find as if they use the address for the stadium/golf course. And yes, this will be a drop-in event.”
If you’re shopping for pet food this weekend – or any time this month – you can also do a good deed by being part of this month’s pet-food donation drive at All The Best Pet Care (WSB sponsor), which has a West Seattle store at 4722 Fauntleroy Way SW. Here’s the announcement:
(Photo courtesy All The Best Pet Care: Volunteers from Dog Gone Seattle picking up Nulo donations from the 2023 food drive)
Many people are seeking ways to make sure their donation dollars are maximized and used wisely. Those who wish to help local animal shelters and rescues can double their donation at All The Best Pet Care. For the entire month of October, any Nulo or Weruva dog or cat food purchased for donating at an All The Best Pet Care stores will be matched, pound for pound. Customers who buy Nulo or Weruva products for their own cats and dogs will also have a matching amount donated. Customers purchasing these items receive 10% off all month.
The donation recipients will include Alley Cat Project, Ballard Food Bank, Bella’s Voice, Dog Gone Seattle, Homeward Pet, MEOW Cat Rescue, Motley Zoo, Pawsitive Alliance Seattle Area Feline Rescue, Seattle Veterinary Outreach, Resilient Hearts Animal Sanctuary, Washington Health Outreach, and White Center Food Bank.
“Our goal is to donate 24,000 pounds of premium quality cat and dog food to our many deserving animal shelters and rescue groups, which is about equal to a $60,000 donation. We’re excited about this opportunity to make a huge impact on needy dogs and cats in our community,” said Josh Moss, co-CEO of All The Best Pet Care.
The West Seattle All The Best Pet Care store‘s hours are 9:30 am-7:30 pm Mondays-Saturdays, 10 am-7 pm Sundays.
When we first heard one year ago about the Guinea Fowl (no, they’re not turkeys) roaming north of The Junction, there were four. Most of the sightings and photos we’ve received since then were of just two. Then this week, we started hearing from people about sightings of three – and today, we finally received a photo (thanks, Mariya!). To recap, the birds are reported to have a home, but they roam during the day and have often been seen on the east side of the Junction business district – sometimes in the street. The Seattle Animal Shelter told us last spring they had tried to capture them, but were not successful.
We occasionally receive “deceased pet found” reports and publish them on the WSB West Seattle Lost/Found Pets page, which we’ve done with this, but the circumstances are unusual so we’re including it here on the main page too. Sent by Ashley:
This afternoon just before 2 pm I came across a dog that had been hit by a car at the top of Olson Place where it turns into Roxbury. I took it in a towel to Urban Animal (in White Center) and while it was still soft and warm, it was definitely deceased. Its face was significantly harmed so we did not take photos.
Here are the best details we have on the sweet dog:
Female
Not Spayed
No chip or collar
Approximately 20 lbs
Grey and soft / curly coat
Possible Poodle / terrier mixUrban Animal will keep the body for one week.
Super sad, but happy to know she is not getting further run over by cars.
If this dog might be yours, the number for Urban Animal (9610 17th SW; WSB sponsor) is 206-257-1524.
Two weeks after our previous update on West Seattle’s wandering guinea fowl, we’ve received two new photos today – and since they’re still meandering into streets, we’re warning you again to be mindful. Above, a texter saw them early this morning northeast of The Junction, reporting, “The two famous fowls slowed down my morning commute”; below, Spenser saw them later near West Seattle Bowl, a favorite spot of theirs:
If you’ve missed previous reports, they’re not lost, they are reported to have a home from which they roam. We first mentioned them last September (when they numbered at least four).
Ten months after we first mentioned West Seattle’s roaming guinea fowl – when there were at least four of them – this pair is still drawing attention. The photo is from Robert Livingston at HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, which got a visit from the guinea fowl about a week and a half ago. We’re writing about them again today because we’re still getting relatively frequent reports, often from people who think they’re turkeys – such as the reader who emailed us after seeing them near 39th/Oregon about an hour ago. They’re still most often seen on the east/northeast side of The Junction. As we’ve noted before, they do apparently have a home. Fun fact from this infopage: They can be “an effective means of pest control.”
That photo is from Jordan, who’s organizing a community cleanup at West Seattle’s only official dog park – Westcrest Park Off-Leash Area [map] – this Saturday (June 29). We’re mentioning it here in case you haven’t seen it in our Event Calendar or seen the sign-up sheets at the park. Jordan says advance sign-up is NOT necessary – just show up on Saturday, between 10 am and 2 pm: “We’re looking for volunteers to help clean up the park via trimming bushes, filling holes, moving rocks, cleaning the bulletin board, and picking up trash/poop. We ask that people bring some shovels, racks, clippers, and buckets if they have them but some are available to use at the park. Otherwise, donuts/ muffins/ baked goods and coffee will be available to snack on, and whoever would like to show up is more than welcome to!”
(Reader photo sent Monday by Lara)
Every day we’re continuing to get reports about the pair of birds we’ve dubbed the wandering guinea fowl of West Seattle, including people who haven’t seen our previous stories and/or who mistake them for turkeys. So we’ve been meaning to mention them again, and today’s the day, because we received a call from someone who saw them near the bridge entrance at 35th/Fauntleroy and was worried the birds were in danger of wandering into traffic. That, they’ve done, in other parts of The Triangle and The Junction, so the concern is not necessarily unmerited. In short, we first mentioned them last year; they have a home northeast of The Junction but they are allowed to roam, and seem to do so avidly. Because of that, the Seattle Animal Shelter told us last month, they’ve attempted to capture the guinea fowl, but haven’t had any luck with that. So what would happen if they did capture these birds? SAS spokesperson Melissa Mixon told us, “If they were in our custody, they would go on a stray hold. If no one reclaimed them, they could be placed for adoption.”
(Texted photo, birds in Trader Joe’s parking lot this week)
Since our most-recent mention of West Seattle’s wandering guinea fowl, we’ve received photos and messages every day about sightings. We have not heard from their owner. While the birds – which resemble, but are not, turkeys – seemed to be staying in a residential neighborhood northeast of The Junction when we first heard about them 6+ months ago, most recently they’ve been seen in and near the Junction business district and arterials, with multiple reports of drivers dodging them. Seems unsafe, so today we asked the Seattle Animal Shelter if the situation was on their radar. Here’s the reply we received, via spokesperson Melissa Mixon:
The shelter has received reports of these two guinea fowl and has tried to capture them — even going so far as to buy special feed and grain that we provided to a willing resident who was working with us to try and contain them. The birds have proved to be quite elusive, however.
We encourage residents to contact the shelter if they see them, particularly if they witness a public safety or animal welfare concern (such as wandering onto a road.) One note on guinea fowl: while we certainly can’t comment on the character of these two birds, guinea fowl are larger birds and in general can be territorial and defensive. So residents should exercise caution just as they would around any larger bird.
(Texted photo, birds near West Seattle Bowl this morning)
The animal shelter’s hotline is 206-386-PETS.
(2023 Seattle Parks image of stadium study area for off-leash area)
It’s official: Following a recommendation vote at last night’s Parks Board meeting, Seattle Parks says West Seattle’s second off-leash area will be just south of West Seattle Stadium (the area outlined in red, above). The announcement from Parks says the “planning and construction timeline will be announced soon.” It also reiterates that Lincoln Park (the other finalist for the site, after a long study process) was “found to be unsuitable (and) not recommended for an OLA at this time based on community feedback and other existing uses). The West Seattle Stadium dog park will be funded by the Park District. The department also is planning new dog parks in South Park (near the community center) and Georgetown.
That’s Sue, one of the thousands of pets that have spent time on the WSB West Seattle Lost/Found Pets page since we launched it 15+ years ago. One month ago, Sue got lost – and then found – thanks to caring people. One of Sue’s people, Ryan, wanted to publicly thank them – and many others, as you’ll see if you read on:
I am writing this primarily to say thank you to West Seattle for helping us find our boy named Sue. He was recently hit while crossing Fauntleroy at night after he slipped his light collar. Afterward we found him in less than 24 hours because of this amazing community. So, I have to say, thank you, West Seattle!
Thank you to the commuter who accidentally hit my black dog as he ran home across Fauntleroy at 9:00 pm with no light. Thank you for calling your family and helping me look for him in Lincoln Park for 3 hours. You are amazing and why this community is the best.
Thank you to Sebastian, Lynn, Dave, Dirk, Tony, Brett, Sarah, Shia, and anyone else I might forget for scouring West Seattle for our dog.
Thank you to the West Seattle Blog and Nextdoor communities for helping us find him over a mile away licking his wounds and hiding.
Thank you to the VCA for helping Sue and getting him back to his goofy healthy self.
Our dog is happy, healthy, and home because of all of you.
Additionally, I want to say thank you to this amazing community I am lucky to call home. Thank you to Gatewood and all the other amazing public schools we have here and the hard work you do to make our community better.
Thank you to the amazing Parks Department that keeps our section of Seattle the best! (Even though you may be distracted by the pickleball debate.)
Thank you to the police, fire department, and all our amazing emergency services that do your best to help us in spite of ourselves. The majority of us trust, respect and appreciate you.
Thank you to the businesses that give us the best banh mi, tamales, dive bars, guitar shop, bakery, record store, movie theater, beach, and community in Seattle!
Thank you for being the only place I want to call home. In my lowest moments, this community always reminds me that we live in an amazing place surrounded by people who may not agree with you, may not particularly want to talk to you, but care for you and want to improve your life.
Thank you from Sue, Chelsea, Rowan, Renee, and Ryan.
(City-provided aerial view of stadium and proposed dog-park area)
If you have something to say about the city’s proposal for a second West Seattle dog park – aka off-leash area – south of West Seattle Stadium, this Thursday (March 14) brings a formal public hearing during the next meeting of the Seattle Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners. They’re a city-convened advisory board that meets twice monthly, and you can speak either in person or remotely. Seattle Parks released its recommendation for the site – and other future off-leash areas around the city – last month (WSB coverage here; citywide info here). To sign up to speak during the hearing at Thursday’s 6:30 pm meeting (attendance info is here), email be**************@*****le.gov.
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