by Jim Branson

On Monday (March 15th), David and Rene George received a harrowing call from a dog groomer near Five Corners in Burien: their beloved black lab, Charlie, had somehow escaped.

David and Rene searched and put up fliers, but they didn’t really know the best way to look for their lost dog until they contacted the Missing Pet Partnership.

My dog Kelsy and I have been volunteering for MPP for a couple of years, and we have been trained to work as a team to find missing dogs. Kelsy, a black lab who looks very much like Charlie, has learned to follow the scent trail of a dog, and my job is to read her body language and help her find the dog. Actually, my main job is to hang onto the end of the leash while Kelsy drags me along on the search.

Tuesday morning at dawn, I obtained a scent article from David and started Kelsy on the trail, beginning at the groomer. Kelsy followed the scent trail from Five Corners to the library, to Firestone, down past Albertson’s, down Ambaum to 174th, and then back up First Ave to about 163rd, where she found Charlie hiding in the bushes!

I never would have seen Charlie, even if I was looking right at him. Kelsy’s nose alerted us to his hiding place in the brambles.

Charlie didn’t want to come out, even with the lure of food. I called Rene, and she took a little time off of work to come get Charlie. When Charlie heard her voice, he came right out of the bushes to her. David and Rene are very glad to have Charlie home safe, and Kelsy has her reward of finding the missing dog. Plus some treats and a belly rub.

The Seattle P-I is reporting that a Burien man is facing animal cruelty charges on claims that he beat and drowned his girlfriend’s Pit Bull dog.

According to the P-I, King County prosecutors say that on the night of Jan. 24th, Tyler E. Newman, 24, arrived at Five Corners Animal Hospital in Burien with the dead dog, a 5-year-old pit bull named Mada.

Staff at the animal hospital told investigators that Newman admitted, “I think I drowned my dog.”

Newman allegedly said the dog bit him when he was scolding it for urinating in his home. According to charging papers, Newman said he “just lost it” when the dog bit him again while he was attempting to bathe it.

Read the full story here.

Story and Photos by Scott Schaefer

Tuesday afternoon (Mar. 2nd) around 2pm, a potential domestic disturbance 9-1-1 call in Burien turned into the shooting death of a Pit Bull at an apartment near the intersection of 4th Ave SW and SW 155th.

According to a King County Sheriff’s officer on the scene, the Pit Bull escaped from its apartment when its owner, who was unrelated to the original disturbance call, heard some commotion. The dog then allegedly “charged” a cop, who shot it in self-defense. The officer (or possibly another officer) then had to “euthanize” the injured dog by shooting it again, possibly numerous times, according to witness accounts.

The dog’s body was covered in a yellow tarp when we arrived, as Animal Control officers and police continued to investigate the scene.

A neighbor who witnessed the attack told us that he felt the Pit Bull had endangered and scared other residents and children before.

UPDATE 3/3/10 Noon: We just received a response from Burien Police Chief Scott Kimerer, who said:

There is an ongoing investigation of this case so I will need to be somewhat brief in my response.

I can tell you the officer was not bitten.

Dog attacks happen occasionally and like any life/safety issue, the Officers are trained to respond to the level of danger using necessary force.

Some of the other questions may be answered in the course of the investigation.

- Chief K

Here are photos we took on the scene shortly after it happened (WARNING: one pic includes visible dog blood):

Where do those puppies and kittens come from?

I asked at a local pet store, and they wouldn’t tell me.

According to the Humane Society, we should be skeptical of any claims that they don’t come from puppy mills (link here).

According to the American Kennel Club, you should buy a dog directly from the breeder, so you can inspect their premises and ask questions, instead of buying from a pet store (link here).

Better yet, you can get a mutt from the pound for one-tenth of the cost and save a life. Most pet stores agree that selling puppies and kittens is not the right thing to do.  The City of West Hollywood recently passed a law banning this practice (read the LA Times story here; link to the ordinance here as a PDF file).

Sign the petition and ask the City of Burien to take the lead in animal welfare:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/no-pet-store-puppies

- Jim Branson

So…what do YOU think? Should Burien outlaw the selling of puppies in local pet stores? Please take our Poll, or leave a Comment below…

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Have something you'd like to say? Then email us your "Letter to the Editor" by clicking here. Be sure to include your real name and a way to contact you, and, pending our review, we'll most likely post it. Otherwise, feel free to leave a Comment below...]

[EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the final segment of our interview with Inga Isakson (read Part 1 here), one of two people seriously injured in a beating and animal attack last summer in the Sea-Tac neighborhood. Snaps, the Pit Bull that had been abused by four juveniles before biting Inga and another woman in the attack, is being cared for at Olympic Animal Sanctuary in Forks. Following the attack, Inga and many others lobbied to save Snaps from being euthanized. A 16-year old girl was sentenced this past fall to 14 months in a juvenile detention center, having pleaded guilty to single counts of second-degree assault, third-degree assault and being a minor in possession of alcohol.]

by Mark Neuman

Inga Isakson told The B-Town Blog previously how she attempted to free Snaps, a Pit Bull, from the beating four young people were putting him through one sunny Sunday evening this past June north of SeaTac airport.

The oldest of the children, a girl who was 15-years old at the time, turned on Inga, hitting her repeatedly, then siccing the Pit Bull on her, as well as on another woman who came to Inga’s aid.

Inga attended the girl’s sentencing hearing this past October and addressed the court, speaking directly to the girl, who had subsequently reached her sixteenth birthday.

“At the sentencing I just stood and spoke from my heart,” Inga told us. “I told (the girl) I was beaten horribly as a child.

“When the girl was beating me it reminded me of  my childhood. It all came back to me.

“I told her in court that I come from a broken home. I had terrible stepdads, six of them. It (the girl’s actions) brought it all back to me. All that horror of being beaten.

“And (the girl) just fell apart in court. She just started sobbing and sobbing. She couldn’t stop crying. It was real, true crying.

“‘I think that your parents should be going to jail for this,’ I told her. I said ‘I wish they could go to jail for you. But you need to learn that what you did was wrong.’

“I said to her ‘I think there is a beautiful person in you. You just snapped that day. I’d like to be an advocate for you.’

“And then they had her talk. And she was crying so hard.”

Inga told us that the girl said in court that every night she would pray that Inga would forgive her, and that she knew what she did was terrible.

“She has been a kid raising herself. She was lost,” Inga said

The girl wrote a letter to Inga a few weeks after sentencing.

“I wrote her back and told her she is going to run into every kind of person (at the juvenile center) and to try to find her passion, and find people who could help her find the beautiful person that is inside her,” Inga said.

In her letter Inga told the girl “she’s going to be challenged every day and to try to hold up under it. I tried to give her advice and be friendly.

“I told her ‘to do what you’re supposed to do.’”

The girl, in her letter to Inga, said she was embarrassed about what had happened and that she has been praying that she would be forgiven and that she still can’t believe that Inga was willing to forgive her.

“She wrote it with a pencil, a full page letter. I really liked her thinking. She obviously is a smart girl.”

The girl’s father spoke at the hearing.

Inga quoted him as saying: “I am (the girl’s) real father. I lost contact with her when she was six months old. I take as much responsibility as anybody in this courtroom as to why she is the way she is because I have been a completely absent father.

“I want to try to be with my daughter. I know it’s really late, but I want to see what I can do.”

“I hope that her dad does what he says he’s going to do,” Inga said. “Maybe he can go to her. I can’t imagine her going back to (her original) school after being in juvenile detention for a year. She’d just get taunted and torn apart.

“I want to know how the story goes for her.

“People have got to step up,” Inga Isakson told us. “Our communities are going downhill. But I believe if we all take a step to make our communities better, that’s all it takes. It’s just one step at a time.

And I’ll do it.”

The Animals First Foundation is holding another Charity Wine Tasting Event at Burien’s Vino Bello this Friday, Feb. 19th from 6:30pm to 9:30pm to help raise money to care for rescued animals.

For a $20 donation, you’ll receive two drinks and snacks, along with live music and a silent auction on one-of-a-kind paintings.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Charity Wine Tasting Event for Animals First Foundation

WHEN: Friday, Feb. 19th, from 630pm—9:30pm

WHERE: Vino Bello, located at 636 SW 152nd Street in downtown Burien

INFO: From their poster:

Something For All Your Senses

Join Animals First Foundation at Vino Bello in Burien: Friday, Feb. 19th from 6:30pm – 9:30pm.

• Touch – An Animal’s Life
• Smell – Partylite Candles
• Hear – Woodrush
• See – Original Artwork
• Taste – Divine Wine

Your $20 donation includes two drinks, snacks and live music. From 6:30-9:30pm bid on one of a kind paintings.

Come by and check out some of the items from PartyLite Gifts Fundraising Program; AFF will receive 50% of the profits (items will be shipped to AFF).

Enjoy the fabulous music of Woodrish from 8pm-9:30pm.

All proceeds will go to Animals First Foundation to help with the cost of giving a rescued animal the best of care and preparation on its road to a better life.

Want to buy your ticket early and guarantee a space? Call 206-331-7440 or visit our website at www.animalsfirstfoundation.org and click the donate button to make your $20 donation!

Must be 21.

Animals First Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Seattle dedicated to supporting and promoting the preservation and well being of animals, both domestic and wild.

Our good friend Manuela Horn (aka Burien’s “Yodeling Dominatrix”) alerts us to the fact that her mother-in-law, Susie Watkins, found a small green parrot in the garden outside her office, Realty West Properties, located at 804 SW 148th Street in Burien.

The bird is now safely caged at Manuela’s home, but everyone’s certain it’d be happier reunited with its master/mistress.

Do you recognize this bird?

If you know this bird, please call Susie Watkins at (206) 650-3908 immediately…else suffer the wrath of one of Manuela’s many characters (see Amy Bouska’s video interview of her here).

The annual “Canine Christmas Adoption Event” is this Sunday, Dec. 13th from Noon to 3pm at the Paws-Abilities Dog Training Center in Tukwila, where you’ll be able to meet (and adopt) many great dogs and puppies from across Washington in one location.

And what makes a better gift than a loving, living creature?

Here are the details:

WHAT: Annual Canine Christmas Adaoption Event

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 13th from Noon – 3pm

WHERE: The Paws-Abilities Dog Training Center, which is located at 1007 Industry Drive in Tukwila. Directions here: http://everydoghas.com/Special%20Links/map_to_center.html

INFO: There will also be a Dog Food Drive:

Times are tough, especially for the shelters and rescues relying on donations. In conjunction with the adoption event, we will also be holding a pet food drive. Will you consider bringing canned or dry pet food to our event? The food will be distributed to the shelters and rescues attending our event.

Adopt a dog and light up your life this holiday season.

A variety of wonderful dogs and puppies will be available at this event. Experienced shelter staff, volunteers and professional trainers will be on hand to help you find the right dog for your family. Meet the many great puppies and dogs from 8 shelters and rescues from across the state. Now is your chance to meet them in Tukwila, which is just minutes from Seattle and the Eastside.

For a list of frequently asked questions regarding our events, please click here.

Click here to Download a Printable PDF Flyer.

This just in from BTB Advertiser Richard Doane of Burien Auto Repair – looks like Richard and his wife Sheila are housing one of Burien’s fastest-rising stars – a dog named Ryder!

Ryder, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and lifelong Burien resident, will be appearing in Hallmark’s 100th Anniversary TV Commercial, which will air this Sunday night (Nov. 29th) during the “Hallmark Hall of Fame Movie – A Dog Named Christmas,” which begins at 9pm on KIRO-TV (channel 7).

We’ve been told that the ad will be shown during the first commercial break, so be sure to set your TiVos/DVRs or watch closely for the first 20 minutes.

Owner Richard was recently contacted by Leo Burnett Advertising in Chicago who had previewed thousands of dog videos, and guess what? They selected Ryder to be one of the stars in this commercial, which will air nationally.

Ryder was selected for the commercial based on the following YouTube video clip that Richard shot and posted after his dog’s 1st Birthday about two years ago – it shows Ryder “blowing out the candles” on his birthday cake:

And get this – YOU can help make Ryder the winner of Hallmark’s “Cutest Dog of the Season” contest by voting online here:

www.hhofdogcontest.com/results/current-entries?name=ryder+doane

(Don’t forget to forward the link on to all your friends – let’s see if we can make Ryder a real star!)

According to Richard, for his “acting services,” Ryder was paid $350 which he plans to donate to PAWS to help out dogs and cats less fortunate than himself.

Here’s what Richard had to say:

Ryder was chosen not only for his award-winning talent, but also for his positive attitude and willingness to help others.

When not chasing a tennis ball, Ryder loves to chase birds for fun, and go to the lake with his posse of other Corgis.

He has been a “therapy dog” at the Highline Medical Center, and enjoys spending time with his family and friends.

Remember to set your TiVo for Sunday night’s feature presentation – or at least until the first commercial break!

You may remember “Snaps,” the pit bull that was used as a “weapon” by a Burien teen and her friends in an attack on two different women in SeaTac on June 21st (as we reported last week, the 16-year old female suspect plead “guilty,” and her sentencing will be Oct. 8th).

At one point, this dog was very close to being put down, as he was considered dangerous and not a candidate for rehabilitation. However, due to a huge outpouring of public sentiment, which included numerous Comments left on this blog, as well as phone calls, numerous online polls and emails sent directly to the King County Animal Shelter, “Snaps’” story has a happy ending – he has a new home at the Olympic Animal Sanctuary in Forks, where he will live out the remainder of his life.

So a story that began with human ignorance, abuse and downright cruelty seemingly is headed toward a happy ending for a poor, innocent animal – just take a look at the “before” and “after” photos below (on the left, Snaps in his cage at KCACC; on the right, his current state at the Olympic Animal Sanctuary):

Here’s a note from the folks at KCACC Exposed, a website devoted to “stopping the taxpayer-funded suffering of animals at the hands of King County Animal Care & Control”:

Betrayed and abused by his owner(s), authorities would’ve easily destroyed him but for the dedication of people who saw the the unfair treatment and judgment and quickly sprang into action. With them, a caring public who would not stand for another misunderstood and mislabeled animal being killed. For Snaps, his future looks bright. He has gone to Olympic Animal Sanctuary in Forks, Washington. Thank you to all the Snaps advocates who kept up with the story and spoke out. Please remember there are many more like him. They silently suffer and endure whatever humans choose to do with them.

Snaps … has been released to an animal sanctuary where he will be allowed to live out his life in peace. Steve Markwell, executive director of Olympic Animal Sanctuary in Forks, Washington, picked Snaps up from King County Animal Care and Control (KCACC) on Friday afternoon (Sept. 11th) and transported him to his new home.

By Saturday morning, Snaps was getting his first chance to stretch his legs in nearly three months, romping with Mr. Markwell in a sanctuary exercise yard. Snaps then took a ride in the cab of Mr. Markwell’s truck (with his head in Mr. Markwell’s lap) and shared an order of French Fries.

“Snaps is a sweet dog who has been through hell. He has likely been in fear most of his life, and his behavior has been a testament to all of his suffering,” said Mr. Markwell. Mr. Markwell adds that he believes the aggressive behavior Snaps reportedly demonstrated at KCACC came largely as a result of his lengthy confinement in a kennel.

Mr. Markwell says the reputation of Snaps as “vicious” has taken on “mythical proportions,” but “he’s really just a dog who’s been hurt, and deserves better.”

“He’s still learning to trust people again, but he’s not the most difficult dog I’ve worked with, and he’s not the most difficult dog at the Sanctuary. I believe Snaps will not only thrive in this environment, but that he will be an ambassador for misunderstood dogs everywhere,” he said.

The release of Snaps comes after a long battle with King County authorities, who had insisted on keeping the dog in inhumane conditions at KCACC from the time that he was involved in the June 21 incident. An informal, grassroots campaign to “Save Snaps” was launched after his owner, a 16-year-old Burien girl, was arrested for beating and kicking the dog until he participated in her assault on two Good Samaritans, who had stopped to try to save Snaps from abuse. Last week, the girl pleaded guilty to charges of assault and possession of alcohol – although she was never charged with animal cruelty.

Since the day that Snaps was seized from his owner, he has been kept in a tiny indoor kennel at the KCACC shelter in Kent, with no exercise, social contact, or fresh air. Soon after he was impounded, KCACC Exposed learned that KCACC Interim Manager Nancy McKenney had warned KCACC staff members that they were not to “make friends” with Snaps, telling compassionate staff members that they were not to visit Snaps, or give the dog anything more than the minimal level of care, such as food, water, and cage cleaning once a day. Only after KCACC Exposed wrote a letter protesting the conditions in which Snaps was being held did KCACC managers relent and allow the dog to have a bed and toys, but staff report that he still was never allowed to leave his kennel, except to be dragged at the end of an animal control catchpole.

Although Snaps has now been released from KCACC, other animals on long-term holds continue to be housed in similar conditions in the Kent shelter – albeit with far less public awareness of their plight.

During Snaps’s stay at KCACC, authorities claim he underwent two “independent behavior assessments,” from “outside experts” who reportedly determined that Snaps was dangerous and could not be rehabilitated. KCACC has refused to release either assessment, or identify the groups or individuals who performed the assessments, although KCACC Exposed has now filed a public disclosure request to obtain those records. However, KCACC staff have informed KCACC Exposed that the first assessment was by a regional rescue group with no expertise in abused dogs or behavior assessments, and that the representative of the group did not even go inside the kennel when performing the evaluation, but simply looked at Snaps through the fence.

Mr. Markwell, who was provided a copy of this assessment, confirms that the assessors “never even observed the dog outside of his kennel, and thus did not conduct a single test before determining that he was dangerous and recommending that he be killed.”

Mr. Markwell was not given a copy of the second assessment that was reportedly done on Snaps. However, KCACC Exposed has been told that the second group of evaluators asked that Snaps be released into their custody for a week, so that he could relax and be evaluated outside the stressful and terrifying environment of the KCACC shelter, but that Ms. McKenney refused that request.

KCACC staff members have reported that although Snaps clearly has issues resulting from his troubled past, he responded to treats, affection, and kindness while impounded at the shelter.

Nearly twelve weeks later, and following the guilty plea of Snaps’s former owner, KCACC and the prosecuting attorney’s office agreed to release the dog after relentless pressure from the public, local animal advocates, and members of the King County Council.

Of course, KCACC has been shameless in taking credit for Snaps’s happy ending, with Ms. McKenney going so far as to claim in a press release that “This is an example of the hard work our staff does to ensure that every animal has a chance.”

Ms. McKenney made this claim despite the fact that KCACC did nothing to facilitate the transfer of Snaps – in fact, it was KCACC Exposed Co-Chair Kim Sgro who contacted Olympic Animal Sanctuary and secured Mr. Markwell’s consent to take the dog. Meanwhile, KCACC staff and volunteers report that Ms. McKenney and other shelter leaders repeatedly complained about being told that they had to allow Snaps to be transferred, and insisted that the dog should be killed even if there was a sanctuary that was willing to take him.

In taking all the credit for itself, KCACC management ignores the real heroes of this story who should be recognized: You

KCACC, King County Executive Kurt Triplett, and the King County Council were bombarded with letters and phone calls from the public, as well as multiple public petitions with thousands of signatures, pointing out that Snaps was as much of a victim as the women he was forced to attack, and demanding that every effort be made to save him. Although KCACC answered these letters with dismissive boilerplate, others were listening. There is no question that the outpouring of compassion for Snaps got the attention of public officials, and caused them to take a careful look at his case. Once these officials learned more about Snaps, the abuse that he had suffered, and the neglect that he was continuing to endure, several compassionate public officials and their staff intervened on the dog’s behalf.

As Councilmember Kathy Lambert acknowledges, this happy ending occurred in large part because of the public’s involvement: “I would like to congratulate the research and advocacy of all the animal welfare supporters who contacted my office and the animal shelter on behalf of Snaps,” she says.

King County Council
As has become all too common, it was the King County Council that had to intervene to force KCACC to do the right thing. This time, it was the intervention of Councilmember Lambert that was critical. After KCACC Exposed co-chair Sgro contacted Olympic Animal Sanctuary, and the sanctuary agreed to take Snaps, Councilmember Lambert worked directly with King County Executive Kurt Triplett, and his advisor Noel Treat, to facilitate the transfer.

“This animal is a victim of abuse and did not deserve to be euthanized just because of the irresponsibility of his owner, if any other appropriate options are available,” says Councilmember Lambert, who was present at KCACC when Snaps was transferred in order to make sure that things proceeded smoothly. “It is unfortunate that people were injured before this dog could be rescued from abuse, and I hope that the women who were injured have a speedy and complete recovery. In the case of Snaps, I believe this is a positive outcome.”

Councilmember Lambert has earned a reputation for her compassion for the most vulnerable members of society – children who get lost in the system, and jail inmates who are mistreated in custody. We are delighted that she is now also working to protect animals who are abused, neglected, and forgotten. (Check back here soon for articles on Councilmember Lambert’s efforts to ensure that King County plans for pets during disasters, and her legislation to force KCACC to allow transfers of animals to local shelters and rescue groups.)

KCACC Staff Members
Too often, the KCACC staff is implicated in the failures of KCACC management and the obstructionist policies of the KCACC Guild. It becomes all too easy to forget that many of these staff members have their hearts in the right place, and are doing their best to help the animals caught in the failing shelter. Through this experience, it has again become clear that many staff members are compassionate, caring people. They did their best for Snaps even under orders not to give him any special care, showed clear affection and sympathy for the abused dog, and were overjoyed when they heard that he was going to be released to a sanctuary. Without their care, we’re sure that Snaps would have been in much worse shape when he was finally released. (How sad is it that we cannot name these staff members, because they would be in danger of retaliation from King County for their compassionate behavior?)

Steve Markwell, Olympic Animal Sanctuary
Mr. Markwell of Olympic Animal Sanctuary is the ultimate hero of this story. Very few sanctuaries or shelters are willing to take a dog that another shelter has decided should die. Sanctuaries and rescue groups all over the country were contacted about Snaps, by private citizens, KCACC Exposed, and county officials. None agreed to take the dog. When Best Friends Animal Society ultimately refused to take Snaps, Ms. Sgro contacted Olympic Animal Sanctuary, and was thrilled to finally receive a “yes.”

With the motto “We Save Dogs You’d Rather See Dead,” Olympic Animal Sanctuary focuses on dogs such as Snaps who are considered unadoptable by other shelters, including former fighting dogs, street dogs, and dogs that have attacked other animals or bitten people. These dogs are given lifetime care (with no possibility of adoption, due to safety concerns), along with exercise, affection, and freedom from fear and stress. Says the sanctuary website: “People made them monsters; Olympic Animal Sanctuary lets them be dogs again.”

Although Snaps will never have contact with the general public, he will get plenty of exercise, including a chance to enjoy a swimming pool. Most importantly, he will get a chance just to be a dog.

Mr. Markwell says that his goal with Snaps “is the same as it is for every dog at the Sanctuary – I want him to be healthy, happy, and safe.”
“Walking on a leash is a bonus. Not biting is a bonus. I’d like him to be able to play with other dogs, but we’ll have to wait and see how that goes,” says Mr. Markwell. “Truthfully, I’ve already reached my goal with Snaps, so everything we accomplish from here is gravy.”

Note: We will be visiting Snaps at Olympic Animal Sanctuary next week, and hope to return with more photos and videotape showing his progress. Please check back soon!

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Burien Girl Pleads Guilty To Using Pit Bull As A Weapon; Dog “Snaps” Will Be Released To Sanctuary
• UPDATE: 16-Year Old Burien Girl Pleads “Not Guilty” In Pit Bull
• An Update On “Snaps,” The Pit Bull Used In SeaTac Attack
• Pit Bull Used As A Weapon In Sunday Night SeaTac Attack Against Two Women

The 16-year old Burien girl who was accused of using her pit bull as a weapon in an attack on two women in SeaTac has plead guilty to charges of second-degree assault, third-degree assault and minor in possession of alcohol.

The suspect, who is not being named because she is underage, had trained “Snaps,” the pit bull (pictured at left), to attack, according to charging papers (read our June 22nd report here).

Her sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 8th, and she faces between 15 to 36 weeks in juvenile confinement.

Court documents (view/download PDF here) allege that the female and a group of boys were found abusing the animal on June 21st before the two women were attacked by the dog.

“Snaps,” the pit bull used as a “weapon,” will not be put to sleep, and was scheduled to leave King County Animal Care and Control today (Fri. Sept. 11th) so he can live at the Olympic Animal Sanctuary in Forks, WA.

King County Animal Care and Control staff determined that, due to “Snaps” continued aggression towards people, he should not be placed with a foster or adoptive family as is often the outcome for other animals surrendered in criminal cases.

Two independent behavior assessments commissioned by King County from outside experts supported that determination and the recommendation that long term care in a sanctuary was the only option for the dog.

Olympic Animal Sanctuary, a non-profit animal welfare and rescue organization located in Forks, has agreed to take custody of the dog. It provides a place for the care and rehabilitation of dogs that are non-adoptable due to behavior such as fighting dogs, street dogs, feral dogs, wolf or coyote hybrids, and dogs that have killed other animals or bitten people. Staff take their time rehabilitating the animals to ensure the process is done correctly and to help the animals learn to get along with humans and each other while never being placed for adoption again.

The City of Forks does not require nor offer a kennel license; however, the Forks Police and Clallam County Sheriff’s Departments are in frequent contact with the Sanctuary and are very knowledgeable about the facility and the work being done there. King County Animal Care and Control has been in contact with the City of Forks Police Department to alert them to their new resident.

“The Olympic Animal Sanctuary will be a great place for Snaps to rest, heal, and learn to be a normal dog, even if he will never be truly safe for adoption,” said King County Animal Care and Control Manager Nancy McKenney.

The staff at King County Animal Care and Control cared for Snaps while the case of his former owner moved through the justice system.

“This is an example of the hard work our staff does to ensure that every animal has a chance,” said McKenney. “It’s one of the many reasons we only have a 20% euthanasia rate; one of the lowest in the country.”

King County Animal Care and Control extends its thanks to all the Snaps supporters who have e-mailed, called and offered to adopt the dog (several of whom rallied through this very blog).

“Experts agree that this dog is not a good fit for adoption but we encourage his supporters and others to consider bringing home one of the other adoptable pit bulls and pit bull mixes we have in our adoption kennels,” McKenney said.

Situations like the one with Snaps can be avoided through responsible pet ownership. If pet owners are having trouble managing their pet, they’re urged to consult a certified animal trainer.

For more information on responsible pet ownership, please visit the King County Animal Care and Control Pet Tips Page: http://www.kingcounty.gov/safety/AnimalServices/pettips.aspx.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• UPDATE: 16-Year Old Burien Girl Pleads “Not Guilty” In Pit Bull
• An Update On “Snaps,” The Pit Bull Used In SeaTac Attack
• Pit Bull Used As A Weapon In Sunday Night SeaTac Attack Against Two Women

The B-Town Blog welcomes Fetch Pet Care, our newest advertiser, owned by Deva and Hunter Samuels.

Fetch Pet Care offers in-home care for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rodents and even fish.

Fetch Pet Care is a locally owned and operated franchise, so they are able to call on their parent company if they need any support with making sure your pets’ needs are met.

Deva has taken a nine-month Veterinary Assistant course offered by Pima Medical Institute in Renton and received her diploma so she is well qualified to care for all types of animals.

Deva offers a free in-home consultation to make sure you and your pets’ needs are a perfect match for her services.

She specializes in taking group excursions (four animals or less at a time) to off-leash dog parks, including Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island, for robust canine swimming parties.

Deva can also take care of the special needs of animals, including medical injections and special diets.

When not working, Deva volunteers her time for Bulls Eye Dog Rescue, a group that pulls dogs from local shelters and fosters them, providing medical care and placing them in loving homes.

Fetch Pet Care is located right on the West Seattle/White Center border, so its location is perfect if you work downtown and need a great place to keep your pet happy and secure while you are at work

Contact Deva for more information:

Fetch Pet Care
9425 12th Avenue SW
Seattle, WA 98106

Phone: 206-965-9851

Website: http://fetchpetcare.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Seattle-WA/Fetch-Pet-Care-of-West-Seattle/60648432694

Email: westseattle@fetchpetcare.com

[Would you like to have a "Blogvertorial" story and Ad like this for your Business on a popular, fast-growing website seen by 31,000+ interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

by Dr. Leslie Kasper, DVM
Companion Animal Medical Center

Boy it’s hot out! Ninety-plus degree weather and no real rainfall in months; Burienites haven’t seen weather like this for some time! But I guess now they understand the real meaning of “The Dog Days of Summer.”

I mean really, you think you got it bad?! Don’t forget about us – imagine wearing a fur coat and not being able to sweat other than through the pads of your feet (unless they are hairy too) and by panting! Yuck, Dry Mouth! So just as a kindly reminder from some of your fuzzy four-legged friends, here are some tips to help make keep us cool and comfortable too!

Cars + Pets = Death!
Think I’m being dramatic? Hundreds of pets die every year from being left in cars during summer heat. Yes, I know it’s just a quick errand and you left the windows cracked or even down, but in 80+ degree heat outside, the inside of a car can easily reach over 100 degrees in about five minutes. Best course of action is to just leave me at home! Really, you will only be gone a few minutes…

Shade or Shelter
If some of your four-legged friends spend a majority of their time outside during the day, make sure they have an adequate amount of shade to protect themselves. Doghouses can be helpful, but like your house or car, if it’s in the sun all day they can hold heat and provide little comfort. If the roof is detachable try lifting it up slightly or setting it off kilter to allow for airflow and heat escape. Having a second shelter or shaded area allows for options as the day and temperatures progress. If your pet has a light skin colored nose or ears (areas with little to no hair) a bit of sunscreen may be warranted as well.

Fresh water at all times!
Inside or out, all pets need access to fresh clean water. If possible when outside keep it in the shade, then it is bearable to drink and doesn’t evaporate quite as fast. Multiple bowls may be needed as we will go through more water than usual. But even inside, with all the fans and a/c going, the air becomes dry, and a good drink would feel great on that panting tongue. And ice cubes make fun toys!

Oh, and on the subject of mouths…
Don’t be surprised if the appetite falls off a bit! Sometimes it just doesn’t sound appealing to eat in this heat. Oh, and of course, sometimes heat can cause imbalances in the intestines, so soft stools can occur also!

Emergency Situations
Okay, we all know you are great pet-parents, but sometimes it’s just too hot! If you notice any of these symptoms, please call my veterinarian right away for evaluation or advice:

• Difficulty breathing, especially in cats or dogs with short noses (like pugs, pekes, bull dogs, and others)
• Pale gums, nose, eyes, or inner ears which are normally pink.
• Vomiting, diarrhea, or lack of food/water intake
• Shaking, seizures, or unresponsiveness when stimulated.

Okay, now go out and be safe!

Sincerely,
Rover and Tiger

(Courtesy of BTB Advertiser Companion Animal Medical Center, 206-878-0405)

Des Moines’ 2009 Pet Festival is coming to Des Moines Beach Park on Saturday, Aug. 1st, from 9am to 2pm, with lots of FREE fun for animal lovers of all kinds!

Here are the details:

WHAT: Des Moines Pet Festival

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 1st

WHERE: Des Moines Beach Park

INFO: No cost, and there are lots of fun activities for your pets, including:

• Agility and Rally Training Match
• Ice Cream Eating
• Hot Dog Bobbing
• Basic Obedience
• King and Queen
• Best Trick
• Best Costume
• Ugliest Pet
• Owner/Pet Lookalike

Please keep in mind that “any pet that might be a safety hazard to humans or other animals is not allowed, and may be removed from the festival.”

Meet hundreds of adoptable cats and dogs from across Washington State, all at the Kent Animal Shelter on Saturday, July 11! Pet microchipping, pet licensing, & pet product vendors will be on site as well as animal trainers and a raffle to benefit the Animal Angel Fund. Click here to learn more…

7/8/09 UPDATE: The 16-year-old Burien girl accused of siccing her pit bull on two women in SeaTac June 21st pleaded “not guilty” Wednesday morning (July 8th) to several criminal charges. She was ordered to remain in custody until her trial. Due to her age, she remains unidentified.

7/7/09 UPDATE: According to the Seattle P-I, on Tuesday (July 7th) around 12:30pm, King County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested the 16-year old girl suspect at her Burien home. She was booked into the Youth Service Center on a no-bail felony assault warrant.

According to The Seattle Times, two counts of third-degree assault were filed Monday (July 6th) against a 16-year-old Burien girl who allegedly sicced a pit bull on two women in SeaTac.

The suspect, who is not being named because she is underage and is being charged in King County Juvenile Court, had trained “Snaps,” the pit bull (pictured at left), to attack, according to charging papers (read our June 22nd report here).

Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department said a warrant has been issued for the girl’s arrest, and that she is being sought by deputies. She is slated to be arraigned on July 14th.

Court documents (view/download PDF here) allege that the female and a group of boys were found abusing the animal on June 21st before the two women were attacked by the dog.

The Times also reports that three White Center boys, ages 11, 12 and 13, who were with the girl during the attacks will not face charges because the girl is believed to be responsible.

A 63-year-old woman says she saw four youths kicking the dog and pulled her car over to see if they were okay. The girl cursed at the woman and told her to butt out.

When the woman threatened to call 9-1-1, the female suspect leaned into the car, grabbed the woman’s hair and took her cellphone. The girl then beat the woman with her own phone, court papers said.

All this was witnessed by a 41 year-old Seattle woman, who followed the group to nearby North SeaTac Park. When the 15 year-old figured out they were followed, she walked up to the woman and head-butted her, then threw punches to her head and body.

Next the dog joined the fray and became increasing violent as the rest of the group egged the dog on. The woman suffered serious bite injuries, including wounds to her head and face, as well as serious gashes and puncture wounds to both arms. Her left forearm was flayed open and the bone could be seen.

Sheriff’s deputies arrived and found the four nearby, still with the dog. All were taken into custody without incident.

To read the full story, click here. To read the court documents, click here for a PDF file (warning: contains mature language).

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• An Update On “Snaps,” The Pit Bull Used In SeaTac Attack
• Pit Bull Used As A Weapon In Sunday Night SeaTac Attack Against Two Women

The B-Town Blog is “yappy” to welcome our latest Advertiser: Yappy To Be Home Pet Services!

Yappy To Be Home Pet Services started in 2005 as a result of a career change for owner Sandra Ekland. Sandra asked herself what her passion in life was, and the answer was easy to come by – she love animals!

“Animals are our precious little babies that love us more than we love ourselves,” Sandra said.

If you’re like most pet lovers, you hate leaving your pet in unfamiliar surroundings when you travel. Yappy To Be Home Pet Services is designed to offer less stress for your pets and therefore, for yourself as well. By utilizing Yappy To Be Home, you are assured reliable and responsible service. Your pets will not only be in their own secure and familiar environment, they will follow their customary routine and diet and receive loving individual attention. With at-home pet sitting, you also avoid exposure to possible illnesses from other animals.

You can leave with peace of mind knowing you have left your home and pet in good “paws” and they are Yappy To Be Home!!

Yappy To Be Home Pet Services covers a wide area from South Seattle through Des Moines. When you call Yappy To Be Home, a visit to your home is arranged, sometime before you leave to meet you and your pets, get detailed info about caring for them and make arrangements.

While you’re away, Sandra will:

• Feed and water your pets
• Exercise them
• Give medicine, vitamins and other special care
• Get medical treatment in case of illness

While taking care of your pets, Sandra is also happy to water your plants and make your home look “lived-in” by bringing in mail and newspapers and adjusting draperies and lights.

Yappy To Be Home is also a member of Pet Sitters International (PSI), which was created by a pet sitter with a mission to serve pet owners. Please visit their web site also at PetSit.com, for more information.

Here are some testimonials from some very “yappy” customers:

“We are so grateful for the wonderful care Honey and Bear received from “Yappy to Be Home”. Leaving them at a kennel was not an option after a terrible experience with our beloved “Tank.” We didn’t feel bad about leaving them. They got to stay in their own home, sleep in their own beds and make a new friend!”

“We were extremely pleased with Yappy to be Home Pet Services. I always worry about our two cats (Ahi and Nani) when we leave town. When Sandra came over to meet our cats and find out what needed to be done, I was immediately impressed with her detailed note taking as I was explaining how I’d like our cats to be cared for. When we came home from our trip we found a “visit log” which gave a detailed account of each visit and how our cats interacted with Sandra. Our pets are like our children and it’s important to me to have someone that is reliable, trustworthy and caring – I have found those qualities in Yappy to be Home Pet Services. I know now, without a doubt, that our furry loved ones are in good hands when we’re away.”

“Thanks so much, Sandra for looking in on my 5 kids. It makes it easier to know they are in good hands and gives me one less thing to worry about while I am away.”

For more information on Yappy To Be Home Pet Services, click here, email sandra@yappytobehome.com or call (206) 947-5983.

Sandra would be “yappy” to talk with you!

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Meet hundreds of adoptable cats and dogs from across Washington State, all at the Kent Animal Shelter on Saturday, July 11!

Pet microchipping, pet licensing, and pet product vendors will be on site as well as animal trainers and a raffle to benefit the Animal Angel Fund. If you are searching for a new furry friend, don’t miss this event!

Download the 8.5×11 flyer (PDF) or the 11×17 flyer (PDF) to print and post in your neighborhood or at your business!

Here are the details:

WHAT: Super Pet Adopt-A-Thon

WHEN: Saturday, July 11th from 10am to 4pm.

WHERE: Kent Animal Care and Control Shelter, located at 21615 64th Ave. South in Kent (see map below)

INFO: Call 206-296-7387; 206-296-2709 TDD or click here to visit the website.

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According to the King County Sheriff’s Department, two women were attacked Sunday night (June 21st) by four young persons using a pit bull as a weapon.

The oldest suspect was a 15 year-old girl. The youngest was 11.

The incident began Sunday evening around 6:30pm in the 13300 block of Des Moines Memorial Drive in SeaTac (map below).

A 63 year-old Seattle woman stopped her car when she saw four kids repeatedly kicking a pit bull dog. She thought the group might need some assistance. However the oldest in the group, a 15 year-old girl, told the women to mind her own business, then tried to pull the woman from her car.

The woman got out the car and was immediately attacked by the girl who repeatedly punched her on the head and back with closed fists. One of the boys in the group ran over with the dog who began biting her. Eventually the four ran off with the dog.

The victim had bruises from the hitting and puncture wounds from the dog to her hand and thigh.

All this was witnessed by a 41 year-old Seattle woman, who followed the group to nearby North SeaTac Park. When the 15 year-old figured out they were followed, she walked up to the woman and head-butted her, then threw punches to her head and body.

Next the dog joined the fray and became increasing violent as the rest of the group egged the dog on. The woman suffered serious bite injuries, including wounds to her head and face, as well as serious gashes and puncture wounds to both arms. Her left forearm was flayed open and the bone could be seen.

Sheriff’s deputies arrived and found the four nearby, still with the dog. All were taken into custody without incident.

The 15 year-old girl was injured by the dog in the melee, and her foot was injured from repeatedly kicking one of the victims.

All four suspects were released to their parents, as the 15 year-old needed medical attention.

The suspects are 15, 13, 12, and 11 years old respectively. All are boys except for the 15 year-old.

Deputies turned the dog over to Animal Control.

Sheriff’s detectives will likely file felony assault charges against at least the 15 year-old.

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Emmie, a Golden Retriever, checks in with Pretty Paws owner Kathy Graf
about the free toe nail trimming for the month of June.

How’s this for a creative offering?

At B-Town Blog Advertiser Pretty Paws, it’s free toe nail trimming, from 11 am to 1 pm, Monday through Friday, throughout the month of June (dogs and cats only – sorry humans!).

Pretty Paws is “A Full Service Pet Spa,” as their slogan goes.

They’re in a little white house at 123 SW 158th, west of 1st Ave. S., just north of US Bank in Burien (see map below).

“We specialize in expert pet grooming,” says founder and owner Kathy Graf, an International Pet Groomers Association Certified Master Groomer.

So go get those nails trimmed and tell Kathy and crew that the B-Town Blog sent you!

Pretty Paws – A Full Service Pet Spa
123 SW 158th
Burien, WA 98166
phone 206-444-4656

Hours:

• Mon – Thursday: 8am to 5:30pm
• Fridays: 7:30am to 5:30pm
• Saturday: 8am to 6pm
• Sunday: 9am to late afternoon
• Walk-Ins Welcome

Welcome our latest Advertiser to The B-Town Blog: Companion Animal Medical Center in Normandy Park!

There’s a new vet and clinic in town, Dr. Leslie Kasper and her Companion Animal Medical Center with a new philosophy on the care and treatment.

Dr. Kasper told us here The BTB, “We believe every pet is a member of a family, so why should your animal’s doctor visits be any different?”

At Companion Animal pet-parents will always feel comfortable and confident in their companion’s care. Dr. Kasper and her staff simply love animals. You can see it in the way they treat them. They’re all pet-parents too!

“Whether it is a simple vaccine or a major procedure, we will strive to educate you on your patient’s current condition, overall health, and any prevention or future care that may be warranted,” stated Dr. Kasper.

Area resident Dr. Leslie Kasper can’t remember a time she didn’t want to be a veterinarian. She gained experience working in the field as an assistant and technician through high school and undergraduate school.

As a 2005 graduate from Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, she initially worked in Cheney, WA at a mixed animal practice. Although she enjoyed working with the livestock and farmers, she missed her family in Western Washington.

Dr. Kasper (then Strelow) spent the next two-and-a-half years practicing in both Bellevue and Renton, where she developed the clinical medicine, professional and business skills she utilizes today.

Dr. Kasper and her hubby Mike share their Burien house with their pet-family that includes two miniature dachshunds, Piglet and Molly, as well as a DSH lilac torti named PufDuster and two adopted kittens – TuTu and Evalyn.

Services for your pet-family:
What can we say about services in 20 words or less? Dr. Kasper’s clinic is state of the art with the most advance medical equipment in the area. Some of her services are:

• Routine Examinations with Specialized Preventive Care
• Nutrition and Weight Management
• Soft Tissue Surgery
• Dental Prophylaxis and Oral Surgery
• In-House Laboratory Testing
• Digital Radiography (X-Rays)
• Geriatric and Hospice Care
• Housing and Boarding Facilities
• Behavioral Consultation

Top: Dr Kasper with Piglet and Molly, Lisa with Bella, Teghan with Boxer.
Bottom: Rose with Chance, Audrey with Lil’Girl.

Meet the staff:

• Audrey—Licensed Veterinarian Assistant (LVT) Hospital Manager, 11 years experience
• Lisa—final stages of schooling to become a LVT.
• Rose — Certified Veterinary Assistant, 4 years experience
• Teghan — Veterinary Assistant: New to veterinary field; studying for masters in Animal Behavior
• Melanie—LVT, and has been with Dr. Kasper through then entire rehabbing process

Also on the staff are:

• Lil’Girl (greeter)
• Chance (sniffer)
• Piglet and Molly (worry-warts)

If you drive on First Ave South through Normandy Park halfway between Burien and Des Moines, you’ve probably witnessed Companion Animal Medical Center come to life at 19655 First Ave. South in Normandy Park (map below).

Now you can stop by and welcome them to the neighborhood and check out their state of the art clinic.

Or call them at 206-878-0405.

Or visit their website here.

For hours of operation click here.

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We love to share positive news about our community, and what better day to share a success story of a found pet than on Mother’s Day?

On Friday, May 8th, we posted a “Lost” notice from Marsha Hargrave for “Scarlett,” her missing Bernese Mountain Dog that was last seen in Boulevard Park.

And on Mother’s Day (Sun. May 10th), we post this update about how, with the help of Burien’s finest, the once-missing Scarlett was found and safely reunited with its owner; here’s an email from Marsha:

Thank you so much for posting this.

We have found Scarlett today 5/10 in Burien with the help of your fabulous police officers. They spotted her this morning and called me. They kept her in sight and headed her off out of the traffic.

I hope you can post a HUGE thank you to Officer Garske who was able to finally chase her down and tackle her. She was so scared after all these days out that she kept running.

And a special commendation also to Officer Weekley who kept in touch with me via cell phone so we could coordinate the rescue.

These officers helped save her life and give me the best Mother’s Day present ever!

From BTB Reader Marsha Hargrave comes this email about a missing Bernese Mountain dog, lost in Boulevard Park on Wednesday May 6th:

LOST 5/6/09

MISSING FROM BOULEVARD PARK

SCARLETT IS 4 ½ YEARS OLD, 88LBS.

SHE WAS RECENTLY FROM OREGON SO SHE DOES NOT KNOW THE AREA.

PLEASE CONTACT MARSHA IMMEDIATELY IF YOU SEE HER –

CELL 206-819-5087

SHE MAY COME TO YOU BUT SHE IS PROBABLY EXTREMELY SCARED.

SHE HAS HER “HOME AGAIN” NUMBER & HER NAME AND OREGON PHONE NUMBER ON HER COLLAR.

BTB Reader Amy Thomson sent us this alert about a dog (pictured above) she found this week:

Found this sweet, lovely dog running loose up 28th Ave. SW near 100th on Wednesday, May 6th around 4:30 PM.

She is red, with one crumpled ear, and an age-whitened face and muzzle.

She had no tags, no license, and no microchip.

She was trailing a leash.

If she’s yours or if you recognize her, please contact me at amy (at) jetcity (dot) com.

She misses her people.

Thursday afternoon (4/30) on Burien’s Three Tree Point beach saw some unusual animals at low tide – PONIES!

From left, Army Olsen, Brie Hobbs and Gigi Sferra feed local grasses to one of three ponies that were offering rides to winners of a prize from Hamlin-Robinson School’s annual auction. According to the kids, the ponies ate “just about anything, including seaweed!”

The lucky auction winners got to ride around the beach just after low tide and enjoy a picnic for about three or so hours.

Lisa Sferra (pictured below, giving her Shetland Pony Cheerio a kiss) who works in White Center, donated the rides for the school’s fundraiser. Hamlin-Robinson is located near Boulevard Park at 10211 12th Ave South.

Lisa wants BTB Readers to know that if they’re interested, they can get Pony Rides for their kids for just $40 per child (pony kisses cost extra).

She can be reached at lsferra@hotmail.com.

Burien Parks and Recreation Department is offering another unusual, rather fowl class on Wednesday, April 22nd on “Keeping Backyard Chickens” from 6:30pm to 8pm at the Burien Community Center (the first class was held on Feb. 24th).

Here are the details:

WHAT: Keeping Backyard Chickens

WHEN: Wednesday, April 22nd, from 6:30pm to 8pm

WHERE: Burien Community Center, located at 425 SW 144th Street, Burien (map below)

COST: $6 per person.

Click here to register, or call 206-988-3700. For more information, click here.

INFO: Living well these days may require a move ‘back’ to living naturally, with classes in using your environmental resources efficiently and living naturally.

Imagine having chickens in your own backyard! Unique pets, abundant eggs, rich compost, sustainable living–more people every day are discovering the many joys of chicken keeping. Learn whether chickens are right for you, and how to get started–even if you have a small yard. Find out about care, feeding, and housing needs. See displays, hear from an experienced chicken keeper and walk away with helpful resources.

The workshop is offered as part of the city’s efforts to encourage sustainable living. Burien code allows up to three hens per residence. No roosters are permitted. $6 Fee. Register: Burien Parks & Recreation, 206-988-3700.

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We are more than thrilled to bark out a welcoming wag to Pretty Paws, a wonderful pet grooming service.

“A Full Service Pet Spa,” as their slogan goes.

Established in 1999, Pretty Paws moved a little over two years ago from its Ambaum location to its present home, a little white house at 123 SW 158th, west of 1st Ave. S., just north of US Bank in Burien (see map below).

“We specialize in expert pet grooming,” says founder and owner Kathy Graf, an International Pet Groomers Association Certified Master Groomer.

Kathy’s crew is led by Dawn, who has worked at Pretty Paws for almost its entire decade in business.

“I was bathing dogs when I was 8 and picked up my first pair of doggie clippers 4 years later,” says Dawn.

“I learned a lot about pet grooming from my mother.”

“Dawn is particularly good with specialty clips for poodles,” says Kathy.

“Remember, we also groom cats. Even the finicky ones. Not all shops offer this service.

“Also, for Burien-area senior citizens with mobility problems, we will pick up and drop off their pets for a small additional fee.”

You can pick up pet food at Pretty Paws as well as products such as dog sweaters and Coach collars and leashes.

There’s even a dog house for sale.

One of our B-Town Blog reporters, who is always looking to make a million dollars quickly, recently said to Kathy and her crew “Hey! I’ve got a great brand name for dog bone products! They should be called ‘Fetch ‘Ems’. You want to trademark that with us?”

“Uh, you go right on ahead and trademark that one yourself,” Kathy said, rolling her eyes. “Good luck with that, okay?”

Pretty Paws even has its own onsite African Gray Parrot, named Cash.

“Cash really likes (human) men,” say the Pretty Paws workers.

Cash will even offer its own loud vocal “Goodbye!” as happy customers walk out the door.

Pretty Paws also offers baby sitting services for special customers – call or visit to inquire further.

Exciting future note: Kathy Graf is also a budding writer.

“I’m writing a nonfiction piece, unrelated to dogs or cats.”

Kathy’s keeping us all in non-canine, non-feline suspense, but she promises to give us all here at B-Town Blog Central the worldwide scoop come publishing time.

Stay tuned.

And as Bob Barker used to say, “Don’t forget to scoop!” Uh, we mean…oh, never mind.

Open seven days a week.

Come on by and say Hi:

Pretty Paws – A Full Service Pet Spa
123 SW 158th
Burien, WA 98166
phone 206-444-4656

Hours:

• Mon – Thursday: 8am to 5:30pm
• Fridays: 7:30am to 5:30pm
• Saturday: 8am to 6pm
• Sunday: 9am to late afternoon
• Walk-Ins Welcome

So walk (or heel) on over, or bark your orders over the phone – just be sure to check ‘em out Pretty Paws next time your pet needs grooming!

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Got an email tip about coyotes being spotted in the North Hill neighborhood near 195th South and South 8th Avenue (map below), where we took this photo of a posted warning sign:

According to our BTB Tipster:

We live in North Hill.

My neighbor was out posting coyote warning  signs.

Apparently, she had one in her yard chasing their (not so small) dog around their yard one night.

I drive 509 everyday and since Feb. I have seen two killed along the freeway.

Also, I play softball at Showalter middle school and have seen alive ones there in broad daylight, on two occasions.

I’d just like to extend the warning to all our neighbors-Thanks!

Here’s a video shot last year of a coyote spotted in someone’s backyard nearby:

So if you live near the area, have small pets (or children), please be careful – coyotes are wild animals, and if they’re out hunting in packs they’re bound to be more bold.

More info on the creatures here.

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Found on seattle-tacoma craigslist > south king > pets:

R A C C O O N S kill your beloved animals–watch out!!! (Burien)

Our cat escaped late Thursday night as we closed the sliding glass door.

She was only outside for 10 minutes.

We heard her screaming and ran outside to find FOUR RACCOONS mauling her in our driveway.

We rushed her to the vet but because she had such severe injuries we were forced to put her to sleep. The vet recommended it and the making that decision sucked!

The vet said that there have been a huge increase in raccoons killing cats AS WELL AS DOGS AND OTHER DOMESTIC ANIMALS.

• RACCOONS MAY LOOK CUTE & CUDDLY, BUT THEY ARE DANGEROUS!! DO NOT FEED THEM!!!
• PLEASE KEEP YOUR ANIMAL INSIDE AFTER DARK. And if they escape, chase after them.
• YOU MIGHT JUST SAVE THEIR LIFE…

We emailed the Poster and got this response:

When we heard the fight & found our cat, we took her to the ER @ Five Corner Veterinary in Burien (at midnight last Thursday!).

EVERYONE there discussed with us how they had seen a huge increase RECENTLY in the number of attacks on domestic animals (cats+dogs+others) this year. 

They also discussed how viscious & violent raccoons are.  (even though they really do look cute & cuddly!)

So keep this in mind B-Town pet owners and friends of animals – raccoons may be cute and anthropomorphic in their “hand washing,” but they are also dangerous (and can be rabid), and we say this as a pet owner whose Jack Russell Terrier got in a fight with one last summer, and she still has battle scars to show from it.

On a lighter note – and we don’t mean to make fun of this issue but we couldn’t not post this video – be sure to lock up your floormats as well, or else you may suffer a fate similar to this:

The annual (and FREE) Des Moines Pet Festival will happen Saturday, Aug, 2nd, from 9am-3pm at Des Moines Beach Park, with the following activities planned:

• Ice Cream Eating Contest
• Hot Dog Bobbing Contest
• Basic Obedience
• King and Queen
• Best Trick
• Best Costume
• Ugliest Pet
• Owner/Pet Look-Alike
• Agility, Rally & Conformation Training Match
• Much more!

Please keep in mind that the above-mentioned contests are for PETS, not humans, so if you show up dressed as Elvis ready to eat 10 quarts of Rocky Road, you’ll be sad (and so will we, ‘cuz that’d be cool to watch…).

Also keep in mind this disclaimer quote placed at the bottom of the poster:

Any pet that might be a safety hazard to humans or other animals is not allowed, and may be removed from the festival.

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To prepare for Monday’s Animal Care Shelter 6:30pm hearing at the Highline Performing Arts Center, here is some significant funding news:

The King County Council and County Executive Ron Sims jointly outlined an agreement Thursday to spend nearly $1 million on immediate improvements and to plan the transformation of the much-criticized operation into a national model of excellence.

Under the agreement, the county will replace all cat cages and add dog runs at or near the main animal shelter in Kent to reduce overcrowding and the risk of infectious disease. Spending also will go to expand veterinary services, review agency operations, add to the shelter staff, assess building and equipment needs and hire workers to enhance placement of animals for adoption, coordinate volunteer activity and improve public outreach.

Of the $965,000 in spending, about $570,000 would come from an animal benefit fund built up over 20 years from donations by people licensing their pets, adopting animals or simply making charitable contributions. The rest will come from the county’s capital budget.

More details and full story here.

WHAT: Forum on animal shelters

WHEN: Monday April 14th starting at 6:30pm

WHERE: Highline Performing Arts Center, Burien, WA

INFO: Kurt Meacham, Program Manager, King County Animal Services, 21615 64th Ave. S Kent, WA 98032 • 206-296-4015

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Found on seattle-tacoma craigslist > seattle > lost & found yesterday:

FERRET FOUND! (West Seattle Burien White Center)

Ferret found – 112th and 21st ave sw. yesterday.

We kept it overnight and are taking it to the Kent Animal shelter today.

Email: comm-634849888@craigslist.org

Someone please get their animal back before it ends up sleepin’ wit’ da fishes in Kent!



Animal care at King County shelters will be the subject of a town hall-style meeting on Monday, April 14, at the Highline Performing Arts Center, 401 S. 152nd Street.

The meeting starts at 6:30pm, with a pre-reception starting at 6pm.

WHAT: Forum on animal shelters

WHEN: Monday April 14th starting at 6:30pm

WHERE:  Highline Performing Arts Center, Burien, WA

INFO: Kurt Meacham, Program Manager, King County Animal Services, 21615 64th Ave. S  Kent, WA 98032 • 206-296-4015

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Found on Craigslist> south king > art & crafts:

Elegant special occasion dog dresses to fit small dog or cat.

These are unique dresses made from satin and lace for special occasions, parties, pictures, and more!

Email me at lorrainebridal@yahoo.com if you would like to set up appointment to try dresses on your dog!

Am located between SeaTac Airport and Southcenter Mall.

Dresses can be made for pets in xsmall to large size. Dresses attach with velcro around neck and tummy. Feel free to browse website or email with any questions you may have! Would be happy to make in custom colors!

See full line of dresses at www.81x.com/BridalSewing/SatinNLace website

Prices start at $9.95 per dress.