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SMOKE: Advice for protecting pets
August 21, 2018 3:54 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Health | Pets | West Seattle news

With a little old indoor cat keeping us company here at WSB HQ, we’ve been wondering whether he’s feeling the effects of the smoky air too. No outward signs – he’s sleeping a lot, but well, he always sleeps a lot. Anyway, in case you also share your life with pets, here’s advice from the Seattle Animal Shelter on the best ways to protect their health while we’re blanketed in smoke.

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READER REPORT: ‘Tullie the flying dog’
August 20, 2018 9:31 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news

Need a smile before bedtime? Todd e-mailed us the tale of “Tullie the flying dog,” whose neighborhood adventure stopped short of an appearance on the WSB Lost/Found Pets page:

My dog Tullie, a 8-y-o mischievous terrier mutt, was missing for about 20 minutes. I could slightly hear her, but could not see her. Then i looked “up.” When i called her, she tried to come down off the roof toward me, by jumping off the roof! NOT a good decision. She refused to come down the way she went up………. so i had to slowly enter the unoccupied home, making as much noise as possible, to retrieve her (the back door was open and i asked my friend to witness the event) where i discovered her cowering up on the roof. She accessed the roof from a built-in rooftop deck. Apparently she chased a cat up into the neighbors’ house. A very large white cat had kidnapped Tullie up there! I was able to move the cat, and steer Tullie down the stairs, where she promptly placed the brakes on again…. a second cat stood in the doorway preventing her exit. I had to move the 2nd cat to get my dog out of the house. I don’t think Tullie will be chasing cats anytime soon.

This unfolded in southwest Admiral.

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All about pets this weekend at West Seattle Thriftway: Adopt a cat today; show off your dog Sunday
August 18, 2018 4:41 pm
|    Comments Off on All about pets this weekend at West Seattle Thriftway: Adopt a cat today; show off your dog Sunday
 |   Pets | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

First half of a doubleheader pet-event weekend is happening right now at West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor) – as featured in our daily highlight list and calendar, the Seattle Humane MaxMobile is visiting until 6 pm. It’s there with six cats looking for forever homes, 10 months to 5 years of age.

Sunday’s a big day for dogs and their people – the CityDog Magazine Cover Dog Model Search returns. Just bring your pup to the store between noon and 2 pm to be photographed – $10 per dog benefits the Doney Memorial Animal Clinic.

(If you absolutely can’t make it tomorrow, there’s a second West Seattle session this year, part of the WS Beer and Music Festival at Alki Masonic Center [4736 40th SW] at 1 pm next Sunday, August 26th; also $10 per dog, benefiting Motley Zoo Animal Rescue.)

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UPDATE: Gwen and Muriel’s 6th annual benefit bake sale
August 11, 2018 11:13 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

11:13 AM: Whatever else you’re doing today – until 3 pm, if you’re anywhere near 36th and Dakota, stop by and help Gwen and Muriel raise money for the Humane Society for the sixth year! Every year they have a benefit bake sale, while also accepting cash and item donations, such as pet food. Here’s a map. (Thanks for the photo!)

4:20 PM: From Gwen’s mom Andrea:

Thanks to everyone who came out and supported Muriel and Gwen’s bake sale! Despite the weather, they collected $350 to donate to the Seattle Humane Society! They appreciate the support!

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VIDEO, PHOTOS: See first-ever West Seattle PAWrade, and the winners!
July 21, 2018 3:35 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

About 80 people, with 60 dogs, showed up for the first ever PAWrade before today’s West Seattle Grand Parade – it was a new collaboration this year between the parade-presenting Rotary Club of West Seattle and the West Seattle Junction Association. Thanks to the WSJA for sharing these photos of the winners:

MOST CREATIVE

MOST COLORFUL

BEST KID-DOG COMBO

BEST ADULT-DOG COMBO

And yes, says WSJA executive director Lora Swift (grand marshal of today’s Grand Parade – much more GP coverage to come), there will be another PAWrade next year!

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COUNTDOWN: West Seattle Grand Parade and PAWrade notes, with 4 days to go
July 17, 2018 10:54 pm
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: West Seattle Grand Parade and PAWrade notes, with 4 days to go
 |   Pets | West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Two notes tonight as Saturday’s 2018 West Seattle Grand Parade gets closer:

COACH VELKO GETS HIS TROPHY: At tonight’s West Seattle Big Band Concert in the Park, this year’s Orville Rummel Trophy for Outstanding Service to the Community recipient Velko Vitalich accepted the trophy, with which he’ll ride in Saturday’s parade.

The trophy was presented to the retired West Seattle High School baseball and golf coach by the Rotary Club of West Seattle Service Foundation‘s parade chair Keith Hughes, assisted by parade coordinators Michelle Edwards and Jim Edwards, who also happen to be with the WS Big Band (musician and director, respectively).

PAWRADE UPDATE: Another reminder that before Saturday’s Grand Parade, you can be part of local history by participating, with your dog, in the first-ever West Seattle PAWrade:

The West Seattle Junction Association and Rotary are teaming up to present the PAWrade right before the Grand Parade arrives in The Junction. Prizes! Judges for the categories shown above are from local pet-related businesses/organizations, and they’ll be stationed along the route. It’s a short one, so don’t worry about Fido fatigue – it starts at California/Genesee at 11 am, between the motorcycle drill teams’ conclusion and the arrival of the rest of the parade, and proceeds to California/Edmunds – then you can go back and watch the Grand Parade! Sign up here if you’re ready to commit, or just show up at the start on Saturday!

TOMORROW: Next preview takes you to the parade lineup meeting!

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GRATITUDE: Dog owner’s thanks after rescue at Lincoln Park
June 5, 2018 9:31 am
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Jann wanted to share this story and gratitude for those who helped search for and rescue their dog last Saturday – from passersby to a search/rescue organization you might not have heard about:

Murphy bolted after a squirrel while we were on a walk at Lincoln Park. I could not catch him and witnessed his little pointed ears disappear over the cliff side. By the time I arrived at the edge, I heard him rolling down the hill through the brush, but was not able to see him. Then there was no sound except kids playing, birds chirping, and waves crashing – it was deafening and I was stunned.

The first help I received was from two women walking a Golden Retriever. They looked all over the top side of the cliff and then walked all the way down the trail to the beach. We searched along the beach trail for any signs of Murphy – nothing. I would like to thank them for the time they spent assisting in the search.

After an hour of searching two times up and down the trail to the beach, with no signs or sounds of Murphy, and a muddled thought process, I phoned the non-emergency number for the Seattle Police Department at around 10:45 AM. I do not recall the dispatcher’s name, but she was very kind and patched me through to the Saturday duty officer for Animal Control. Again, without pencil and paper, I do not recall the officer’s name, but he was equally kind and texted me the contact number for Washington State Animal Response Team.

Gretchen answered for WASART, whose motto is “Helping animals & their Owners in Disasters”. We talked through the scenario and possible consequences which gave me some hope. She advised that 1) the available rescue team was in Enumclaw, and with the I-5 closure, it would a minimum of 3 hours for them to arrive, 2) she needed pics of the area and 3) permission from Lincoln Park Staff to conduct to park the truck with equipment. Gretchen advised me to continue to search as long as possible and that it might be the next day before any help would be dispatched.

Next, I phoned my husband who was working on a project in Everett. He headed home and I met him there at about 1:30. We returned to the LP and the location on the cliff – still no sounds or sight of Murphy, even with the aid of binoculars. We headed down the trail, searched all the way past the accident location, and then we caught a break.

A couple walking a white pit bull/boxer mix asked if they could be of help. The woman said she thought she heard a dog bark on the hillside. We walked to the location, which was just below where Murphy went over the side. My husband could not hear the bark, but I could, It was intermittent and we were now 5 hours after the fall. It was tough to tell if the bark was on the cliff side, the beach, or in the park, but the couple was pretty sure it sounded like the cliff side to them – that was really a ray of hope. The couple took my cell number and said they would text if they saw Murphy on the North beach trail. About 10 minutes later, they returned and advised that the trail they had planned to walk was too steep, but they would keep an eye out along the beach. We want to thank them as we may not have located Murphy or given up without their assistance.

I phoned Gretchen to advise that we thought we knew where to find Murphy on the cliff side. At 2;45, Gretchen phoned and advised us to go home and wait for a call from the rescue team with an ETA of that was at 6:00 PM. We were home for only 45 minutes when Gretchen phoned to say that team members were arriving at LP in about 15 minutes – 3;45.

While we were driving from the Admiral District – trying to not go too fast – Matthew from WASART phoned to say he would meet us at the NE driveway. We arrived, met Matthew and two other team members, Joe and Vallen. We headed to the cliff side to watch for movement and listen for barking. My husband stayed behind to advise the park staff that the crew was onsite.

At first we heard just an occasional bark, but I recognized it as Murphy and the team was sure it was coming from the cliff side. Then we heard some whimpering, and finally, a regular stream of barking. At that point, we were 6 hours and 15 minutes into the emergency. While the team was gearing up, two couples stopped to ask about what was happening, and all four of them stayed with me to provide moral support. My husband was still at the LP maintenance office looking for staff. The moral support from the by-standers was very welcome as I had spent much of the day wracked with guilt and thoughts of never again seeing our dog alive and well.

Vallen volunteered to rappel the cliff which at the lip is 90 degrees with a down slope of 80 to 90 degrees. It is covered with snags and poison oak. At approximately 50 ft below the lip edge, Vallen radioed that he found Murphy. However, he did not advise my dog’s condition. It was not until Vallen was about 20 ft below the top that we saw his yellow safety helmet with my little Toto Dog – he looks just like Toto – tucked under Vallen’s arm – Murphy’s little button eyes and pointed ears.

Once they reached the top, I broke down in tears (teary right now as I write) All of the by-standers applauded and we shook hands. I even hugged the two women who stood by me. My husband arrived just in time to see Vallen and Murphy hit topside. Thank you to the by-standers who waited so patiently with me and kept up conversation in order to keep me calm.

Other than being covered with pollen, a case blood shot swollen eyes, and complete exhaustion, Murphy is good. Thank you to SPD, Animal Control, our unidentified WS neighbors walking through the LP, and WASART!! They all were a part of the rescue and an invaluable network. We are still in a little disbelief that we have our dog – so thankful!!! WASART is non-profit. They are a terrific support and rescue group when a pet owner is hopeful or when all hope seems lost. The WASART website is: www.washingtonsart.org.

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Morgan Junction Community Festival 2018 to fetch Bark of Morgan comeback
June 3, 2018 4:46 pm
|    Comments Off on Morgan Junction Community Festival 2018 to fetch Bark of Morgan comeback
 |   Pets | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

What a summer this will be for West Seattle dogs and the people who love them. First, we had news of the PAWrade preceding next month’s West Seattle Grand Parade in the Junction. Now, the Morgan Junction Community Festival – less than two weeks away – is bringing back the Bark of Morgan! From festival communicator Susan Madrid:

The Morgan Community Association is pleased to announce the return of the Bark of Morgan Dog Show at the Morgan Junction Community Festival on June 16, 2018. Our thanks to Morgan Junction businesses Pet Elements and The Wash Dog for sponsoring the event.

The Bark kicks off at 1:45 pm with the Pooch Parade through the festival grounds followed by several audience applause-judged contests.

This is the 13th year of the popular festival, held in and around Morgan Junction Park in West Seattle. As in past years, the Festival and the Bark of Morgan will occur rain or shine!

Here are the Bark of Morgan details:

1:45 pm – Pooch Parade:

Leashed dogs and their humans assemble by 1:30 pm north of Morgan Junction Park in SW Eddy Street. Contestants will traverse through the festival grounds back to Eddy Street. Costumes are encouraged.

2:00 pm – Canine Contests:

The contests take place north of Eddy Street after the Parade. Contest categories are:

• Cutest Puppy
• Loudest Bark
• Smallest and Largest Dog
• Best Trick
• Best Costume
• Best Owner/Dog Lookalike

Three winners will be awarded for each contest. Contest winners are based on the audience applause-o-meter as certified by Festival Master of Ceremonies.

The Morgan festival, 10 am-4 pm Saturday, June 16th, will also include live music, Bubbleman, and more. WSB is a co-sponsor again this year and we’ll have more info in the days ahead!

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NEW THIS YEAR! Be part of the West Seattle Dog PAWrade before the Grand Parade
May 30, 2018 9:04 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

Get ready to march with your pooch(es) through The Junction before this summer’s West Seattle Grand Parade! It’s the start of a new tradition. In place of the Kiddie Parade, which hasn’t drawn much interest in recent years, the West Seattle Junction Association is launching the West Seattle Dog PAWrade. The whole family’s welcome to participate on Saturday, July 21st, 11 am, on California SW from Genesee to Edmunds. It’s free, but donations are appreciated – you can register starting now, and a donation gets you a collapsible dog dish or bandanna in honor of your PAWrade support. There’ll be trophies and medals – the categories are explained on The Junction’s official PAWrade page, which is also where you can go to sign up!

P.S. Want to volunteer instead of march? Here’s how to help! (Other summer events presented by WSJA, which is a nonprofit, could use a hand too.)

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Remembering Seth, the West Seattle Nursery cat
May 13, 2018 10:39 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Nine years ago, in a WSB series on “shop cats,” we featured the story of Seth, who lived at West Seattle Nursery. This past week, WSN’s Marie McKinsey tells us, Seth passed away, at what you might call his retirement home:

No one here ever set out to have a nursery cat, but Seth wandered into the nursery one day, took a look around, and decided that he belonged here. Since it was clear that he wasn’t going to leave, the nursery staff adopted him. He had a good career at the nursery and became friends with a lot of customers. Working in retail took its toll, though, and after 12 years on the job, he was ready to retire. Ingrid Nokes, our gift and houseplant buyer, took him home to live with her and her husband. They made a comfortable home for him to live out his remaining years. Ingrid says, “He was a great mouser and became quite the love kitty in his later years. We will miss him greatly!” Seth passed away peacefully (Wednesday) morning at home, curled up on his favorite pillow.

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COMMUNITY GIVING: Girl Scout Troop 45165’s pet-food drive
April 22, 2018 7:02 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

The photos and report are from Jan Roberts at the West Seattle Food Bank:

Hurray for Arbor Heights Girl Scout Troop 45165, who went above and beyond today hosting a pet-food drive outside Petco in The Junction! In response, the West Seattle community generously gave pet food, pet supplies, and cash to support the West Seattle Food Bank Pet Pantry.

The donor above gave his total savings of $40 from his piggy bank to our furry friends in need.

These two stopped by with pet food, smiles and wags!

Pet food is also among the items accepted at the WSFB (35th and Morgan). The number of households visiting the food bank is up dramatically, we heard today, so whatever you can spare is welcome – and you are also invited to the WSFB’s big Instruments of Change fundraising dinner/auction on May 12th – details and a link for tickets are here.

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Seattle Animal Shelter’s reminder: No dogs on public beaches
March 21, 2018 6:23 pm
|      53 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

The Seattle Animal Shelter has just reissued its seasonal warning – dogs aren’t allowed on public beaches.

It’s spring in Seattle, which means blossoming and hatching all around us. This is a particularly important time to ensure that immature wildlife have their best opportunity to flourish in the Northwest. To help protect the young wildlife, the Seattle Animal Shelter will be conducting emphasis patrols on all saltwater beaches in the city.

Dogs are not allowed on any of Seattle’s public saltwater beaches, even if they are leashed. This law helps us protect the fragile ecosystem along our shorelines. Marine mammals, such as seal pups that are typically born in April, use the city’s beaches to rest and warm themselves. Shore birds also frequent our beaches. Wildlife that interact with dogs are less likely to reach adulthood.

Uniformed animal service officers will be patrolling city parks with a focus on saltwater beaches and may issue citations to violators.

If you would like to report Seattle beaches where dogs are frequently seen, submit a service request at http://bit.ly/sas-service-request. You can also contact the Seattle Animal Shelter by calling 206-386-PETS (7387).

That’s the same alert SAS sent last spring – though so far this year, we haven’t seen the civilian-installed sign that went up about that same time.

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From the WSB Lost/Found Pets page: Rescuing tuxedo cat Sam
February 24, 2018 11:55 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news

For 10 years, WSB has been home to the only all-West Seattle lost/found pets webpage. Once in a while, the story of a lost/found pet scampers out here to the news page. Like tonight, the story of Sam‘s rescue. Sam’s person Jackie e-mailed us this morning saying Sam was missing in Gatewood. Not long after we posted the listing, Jackie e-mailed again to say, “We just got a call from the post and we found him but he is way up a tree.” We mentioned Canopy Cat Rescue – perhaps remembering them from the story of Miep in 2016. Jackie contacted them, and they showed up just a few hours later:

We asked Jackie to send a photo if she could, since we were off-peninsula covering the basketball game. She sent both of these!

And she recapped, “Shaun from Canopy Cat Rescue climbed that big ole tree and rescued Sam! We are so thankful to CCR, the West Seattle Blog, and our amazing community!” (Re: that last reference, she said they heard from lots of people who wanted to help.) Canopy Cat Rescue, by the way, is a nonprofit run by arborists (who were on reality TV for a while!), and does accept donations.

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Cat Sitting Hotels: Welcome, new West Seattle Blog sponsor!
February 22, 2018 3:33 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Need someplace for your cat(s) to stay while you’re away? Cat Sitting Hotels is a new WSB sponsor, and here’s what they want you to know about what they do:

Cat Sitting Hotels was established in 2011 in Bothell, relocated to West Seattle in January of 2017, and in October of 2017 expanded into the space next door and doubled the size of the Hotel (now there’s the West Side and the East Wing). In West Seattle, we’re on the way to and from the airport for most of our previous customers (as they typically leave their kitties with us when they’re traveling) and also can fill a very big need in the Seattle area for really great luxury cat boarding with loving care from a staff who all have cats of their own and truly love them.

Cat Sitting Hotels began several years ago when the founder / owner needed to travel and looked into having his 4 cats boarded, and found that what was available was mostly smallish cage-like accommodations. Knowing he couldn’t leave them locked up in a small space for a week, he built the first 4 kitty suites in his living room for his own 4 cats. They were huge 4′ wide and 4′ long wood frame enclosures where they’d have plenty of room to move around plus a table and shelves to jump up and down from or sleep on. After returning, then procrastinating for a few months about taking them down, the idea came to care for other people’s kitties in these nice big comfy enclosures. It soon became a cat lover’s dream and his business building in Bothell was converted into the first Cat Sitting Hotel.

Quickly realizing he wasn’t the only one who was so deeply concerned about leaving their precious companions out of their own care, a webcam system was created so feline parents could see their kid from anywhere in the world where they could get internet access. Other recent high-tech options have recently been added such as the Petcube which allows our guest kitties’ parents to both view them and play laser light with them from the screen of a mobile device, or for those whose kitties aren’t into laser play, the Petzi includes the webcam and can dispense treats by touching your tablet’s feeder control. There are also available food bowls which only open for the kitty with that bowl’s tag on the collar, which keeps the food fresher and ensures that only your kitty can eat your kitty’s food. They can be especially helpful for guest cats from the same home but who have different / special diets.

Cat Sitting Hotels is at 3513 SW Alaska. See more photos and info at catsittinghotels.com or call 425-442-1941.

We thank Cat Sitting Hotels for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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GRATITUDE: Words of thanks for everyone who helped catch dog on the run
January 14, 2018 6:32 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

That’s Murphy. He was on the loose for a while today until some helpful people rescued him, and his person Gina wanted to go wide with the words of thanks:

We would just like to thank everyone in the Junction and those on the West Seattle Bridge around 2 pm today who helped catch our dog, Murphy. He was spooked by another dog and got away.

I’m so thankful for everyone who assisted in some way.

Gina explained in response to our followup question that Murphy ran all the way from the Junction Starbucks to the bridge!

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READER REPORT: ‘An example of the kind of little things that make me love this community’
November 17, 2017 2:00 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

ORIGINAL REPORT, 2 PM: Out of the WSB inbox, the photo and report are from Matt:

This is not breaking news, but it is an example of the kind of little things that make me love this community …

Last night, on my way home from meeting a friend for a drink at Beveridge Place, I saw a couple standing over the prone body of a cat in the middle of 48th Ave SW, at about Raymond. Their car was idling behind them, the headlights illuminating them as they tended to the cat. I can’t be sure if they were the ones who’d hit it, but it didn’t seem like they had; their car was sitting well behind where it was lying. Traffic had slowed in both directions, and as I approached I rolled down my window to offer help — what I could have done, who knows — but they seemed to be doing their best. He was holding a collar in his hand and dialing his phone while she knelt over the cat, tenderly stroking its white and brown fur. It was clear that they were genuinely concerned and trying to find the owners. I doubt that they’re looking for any acknowledgment, but it’s another reminder of what great people live in WS.

Today I drove by the same spot and saw this hastily made memorial. The inscription inside the card, written in a shaky hand, read, “I was on my way to work. Please forgive me.” It would have been really easy to assume that the driver hit the cat, took off, and didn’t think twice about it. Clearly they wasn’t the case, and that gave me a little hope.

4:10 PM: We’ve heard from the cat’s person in this comment.

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WHO LEFT A DOG TO DIE? Reward offered to find person who threw dog from car in West Seattle
October 10, 2017 2:43 pm
|      40 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Pets | West Seattle news

The Seattle Animal Shelter just sent this alert, seeking help in finding the person who threw an ailing dog out of a car in West Seattle near Fairmount Park Elementary School last month:

The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons who failed to provide veterinary care for a dog then abandoned him in West Seattle. The dog was in clear medical distress and was suffering when someone tossed him from a stopped vehicle.

On Sunday, Sept. 24, a witness observed the dog being tossed from a purple Dodge minivan by someone described as a heavyset African-American man with dreadlocks. This incident occurred in the 5600 block of 38th Avenue SW [map]. A Seattle Animal Shelter officer responded and transported the dog to an emergency veterinary clinic. Unfortunately, the dog did not survive. Abandoning an animal and failing to provide medical care necessary for an animal’s health or to alleviate its pain are crimes, said Seattle Animal Shelter Executive Director Ann Graves.

“This is a very disturbing case of callousness and an act of animal cruelty,” Graves said.

If you recognize the dog or the description of the van or know who is responsible for abandoning this dog, please call Seattle Animal Shelter’s acting manager of field services, Don Baxter, at 206-386-4288 and reference case number C04542592. Any information about the person who did this is vital to solving this case, Graves said.

“Abandoning an animal that is suffering and in desperate need of medical attention is unconscionable and a clear violation of our state’s animal cruelty statutes,” said Dan Paul, Washington state director for The Humane Society of the United States. “We are grateful the Seattle Animal Shelter was able to respond quickly and hopeful that this reward brings forward anyone with information about this heinous act of cruelty.”

First degree animal cruelty is a Class C felony punishable by five years in prison, a $10,000 fine or both.

The Seattle Animal Shelter enforces both SMC 9.25.081 and RCW 16.52.205, which make it illegal to abuse or neglect an animal. If you feel that an animal is being neglected or abused, please contact the Seattle Animal Shelter at 206-386-PETS (7387).

The dog was gray and white, male, and, in the only photo provided by SAS, appears to be dying or already dead, so be forewarned if you decide to click.

ADDED 4:31 PM: Full description of the dog, as an alternative to viewing the photo, from SAS: “Adult (estimated age 4-6 years), unneutered male, American Pitbull Terrier, gray/blue in color with white on the neck/chest, feet, and a blaze marking up the muzzle.”

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West Seattle weekend scene: 2017 Blessing of the Animals @ St. John’s
October 8, 2017 7:39 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

16 dogs and their people showed up for this afternoon’s Blessing of the Animals, presented in the West Seattle High School parking lot every fall by neighboring St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church. It’s always held on a Sunday near the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals, and the faith leaders offering blessings usually include a Brother from the Order of Saint Francis – this year, Br. Paul Dahlke:

Also blessing the animals in attendance, Rev. Kate Wesch, on her first Sunday as St. John’s new Rector:

Her daughter Avery was there too, with Riley, who she’s been dog-sitting:

This was the 10th year for the blessings at St. John’s, dating back to 2008.

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PHOTOS: Arbor Heights’ final Dog Day of Summer on first day of fall
September 23, 2017 10:19 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | Fun stuff to do | Pets | West Seattle news

It’s an Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club tradition – after the pool is closed to people at season’s end, invite the community to bring their dogs to swim, as a fundraiser for AHSTC swim teams. Today was the fifth and final session, and Jamie Kinney shared photos:

Whether the dogs dove from the board, or jumped from the deck, Jamie reports a great time was had by all:

You can see many more of Jamie’s photos from today by going here.

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UPDATE: Dog hit by car in Morgan Junction
September 17, 2017 8:09 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news

8:09 PM: Just received two notes about this, including this one from Carrie:

Just witnessed a large white possible labradoodle hit by white SUV at graham & California ave in West Seattle. The dog took off running and we lost sight of him at California & Fauntleroy. If you’re in the area please keep an eye out for this guy!

9:39 PM: We have since received and published a lost-dog listing from Seaview and Carrie says that might be the same dog.

THURSDAY AFTERNOON NOTE: Izzy’s owner Nancy has updated the aforementioned lost-dog listing to say that Izzy has been found and is home!

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POOCHES IN THE POOL: Arbor Heights Dog Days next week!
September 11, 2017 8:57 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Arbor Heights | Fun stuff to do | Pets | West Seattle news

It’s the news that dog people await every fall – the chance for their pups to go swimming at Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club! The photo and announcement are from Cori Roed:

Dog Days at the Arb!

It’s time to bring your dog for a swim …


11003 31st Ave SW

Thank you for driving slowly on 31st!


Tuesday, Sept 19th through Friday, Sept 22nd, 5-7 pm
Saturday, Sept 23rd 11 am-1 pm

Dogs in the pool
Owners must remain at the pool and maintain some semblance of control
Dogs must be healthy, up to date on shots, and well socialized to people and other dogs

NO PEOPLE IN THE POOL! ~ NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY

Please come prepared to scoop your dog’s poop!
Running on the pool deck is encouraged : )

$10 donation per dog for the day or $25 per dog for an all-access pass 
is very much appreciated!

Your donations allow our self-funded teams to purchase equipment while keeping team fees affordable.

Thank you for supporting Otter athletes!

*****NOTE that this event is AFTER the facilities are closed for the season*****

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Is your dog ready for stardom? CityDog Magazine Cover Dog Model Search in West Seattle this Saturday
August 23, 2017 11:55 am
|    Comments Off on Is your dog ready for stardom? CityDog Magazine Cover Dog Model Search in West Seattle this Saturday
 |   Pets | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo from past CityDog Magazine Cover Dog Model Search)

Imagine your dog on a magazine cover. Every year, local dogs get to compete for a chance, thanks to CityDog Magazine, whose West Seattle-based founder Brandie Ahlgren shares the tail-wagging news about what’s happening this Saturday:

Unleash your dog’s inner supermodel at the 12th annual CityDog Cover Dog Model Search. Big dogs, little dogs, young dogs, old dogs… ALL dogs are welcome to ‘walk the catwalk’ for the chance to be on the cover of CityDog Magazine. And, because CityDog thinks all dogs are supermodels, each and every canine contestant will get their photo in the magazine!

It’s part of the West Seattle Thriftway Dog Days of Summer: Saturday, August 26, 2017, from noon to 2 p.m.; $10 per dog to benefit the Doney Memorial Pet Clinic. Simply come by the CityDog booth at West Seattle Thriftway any time between noon and 2 and we will take your pooch’s picture for the magazine as well as for the chance to be on the cover! All proceeds go to a great cause, the Doney Memorial Pet Clinic (if you would like to bring food, bedding and supplies to donate to Doney, please do…every bit helps)!

If you’ve brought your dog to this in the past – note that while it’s historically been on a Sunday, this year, it’s on Saturday. (West Seattle Thriftway, a WSB sponsor, is at 4201 SW Morgan.)

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UPDATE: West Seattle girls’ 5th annual bake sale/donation drive to help animals
July 30, 2017 11:34 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

11:34 AM: Until 3 pm, you’ll find Gwen and Muriel at 36th SW and SW Dakota [map], selling treats and collecting donations for the Seattle Humane Society for the fifth year in a row. You have three ways to help – buy some of their baked goods; donate items for the animals (dog/cat food, wet or dry; toys; new scratching posts); donate money for the Humane Society (cash or checks). The girls have done this every year since they were Schmitz Park 4th-graders; this fall, they’ll be Madison Middle School 8th-graders. (Thanks to Gwen’s mom Andrea for the photo taken as today’s event got under way.)

8 PM: Andrea sent this update on the results:

Heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful people who came out to support the bake sale today, and to the West Seattle Blog for promoting it.

Through the sale, these wonderful young women raised over $532 for Seattle Humane Society, as well as over 100 pounds of dry food, dozens of cans of wet food, and many many animal toys.

Thanks so much for everyone’s support!

Congratulations to Muriel, Gwen, and the beneficiaries of their hard work!

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