UPDATE SAT. 6/19/10: Jan Magnuson, Master Animal Control Officer for the Des Moines Police Department, writes with some good news:

“Just wanted to update you on the Pom; we were able to place him in a wonderful new home yesterday thanks to the Waterland Blog (see pic)!

Thank You SO much again for your assistance, talk to you soon, Jan”

Here’s a pic of the Pom and his new owner:

PREVIOUSLY:

The Des Moine Police Department is looking for a new home for a cute little male Pomeranian, which has “a wonderful, friendly, playful personality and is house-trained, walks on a leash, and knows how to ‘Sit.’.”

Here’s info and pics on the cute guy direct from DMPD:

This cute little Pomeranian is a healthy neutered male and around 4 years of age; he has a wonderful, friendly, playful personality and is house-trained, walks on a leash, and knows how to “Sit”.

He was found as a stray but never claimed by his owners; he had fleas but has since been de-flead, bathed and brushed, and now needs to find his new “forever” home!

Please contact Officer Jan Magnuson at the Des Moines Police Department at 206-870-6549 or 206-878-3301 for more information or to request to adopt this sweet doggie!

Please contact Officer Jan Magnuson at the Des Moines Police Department at 206-870-6549 or 206-878-3301 for more information or to request to adopt this sweet doggie!

Here’s this week’s Des Moines Police Department’s Police Blotter, with local crime news fed to us directly from our good friends at the DMPD.

This week’s news include the arrest of a 56-year old Walgreens robber, photos of the Special Olympics torch being carried through Des Moines, and information on the city’s animal care and control.

DES MOINES POLICE BLOTTER NEWS (June 4, 2010)

Des Moines PD Arrests Walgreens Robber: On 06/02/10 at approximately 1815 hours a 56 year old man entered the Des Moines Walgreens and demanded prescription medications. The man displayed a handgun during the robbery. Responding Des Moines Officers found the suspect attempting to hide among several large trees west of the store. The weapon was determined to be a pellet gun with an orange tip that had been blackened. The suspect later admitted to detectives he was responsible for robbing the same Walgreen’s in April. The man shows a last known address out of Des Moines. He was booked into the King County Detention Center for Robbery 1 and investigators are forwarding filing documents to the King County Prosecutor’s Office for both robberies.

Special Olympics Torch Carried Through Des Moines: Members of the Des Moines Municipal Court and the Des Moines Police Department participated in this years “Special Olympics” torch run. The torch was delivered to Des Moines PD by members of the Port of Seattle Police Department. The torch was carried through the city along Pacific Highway South and handed off to members of the Kent Police Department. The run helps to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Washington.

Here are some photos of the event:

Look What’s New in Animal Care and Control for Des Moines Residents:
Beginning July 1st, the city of Des Moines will no longer be contracting with King County Animal Control for any animal sheltering.

Des Moines Police Department has its own Animal Control Officer and has for many years, so those services will remain the same- we will continue to provide service for vicious/dangerous dog problems, dog bite reports, animal cruelty investigations, dog and cat licensing, nuisance animal complaints, lost and found pet reports, enforcement of animal control laws, rescue of sick/injured domestic animals, animal care and control education, and referral to other animal service agencies.

Since the first part of 2010, the city of Des Moines has entered into contracts with local vendors, which include a boarding kennel and four veterinary hospitals, for animal care and shelter services; pets impounded from Des Moines are now being cared for at one of those vendors’ facilities instead of the King County Animal Control shelter.

What to do if you have lost a pet, found a pet, need to place your pet in a new home, or have an animal emergency:

Citizens who find a pet in the city limits of Des Moines should contact the Animal Control Division of the Police Department (206) 870-6549 or (206) 878-3301 regarding care and possible impoundment of the animal.

Citizens who have lost a pet should check all area shelters and police departments, as pets can roam and cross into other jurisdictions.

Citizens thinking of placing their own pet in a new home may call the Animal Control Officer for resources and assistance to help keep their pet; however, if there is no other option, they should contact area rescue groups, area shelters, and Petfinder.com for possible placement assistance.

And as always, if a public safety emergency is occurring such as an in-progress vicious dog attack , citizens should call 911.

Adoptions of friendly, healthy pets will also be offered on occasion through the Animal Control Division of the Police Department; thankfully most nice impounded pets are claimed by their owners, but on occasion there may be a pet available for adoption at one of the local vendors.  Des Moines pet adoptions will also be occasionally offered through area rescue groups, local media, Petsmart stores, and Petfinder.com.

For additional questions regarding the changes in animal sheltering, please contact Master Animal Control Officer Jan Magnuson at JMagnuson@desmoineswa.gov or (206) 870-6549.

by Janet Grella

Last Spring, 371 American Eskimo dogs (“Eskies”) were rescued when agents from the local police and human society officials raided a local puppy mill in Kennewick, WA. Many of them were pregnant and all were living in unbelievable squalor in what the humane society called “the worst puppy mill raid – ever.”

That’s where our returning Advertiser, Companion Animal Medical Center in Normandy Park came to the rescue.

Over the ensuing months, Dr. Leslie Kasper and her clinic aids treated these abused adult dogs and hopeful puppies.

In her own words, Dr. Kasper told us:

Dr. Leslie Kasper with a rescued Eskie puppy.

“The American Eskimo Dog Assoc. of Washington’s president, rescue coordinator and Burien resident is Sherry Myers.

“She approached us as the new vet in town and asked if we would be interested in providing some care to these animals and prepare them for fostering and/or adoption.

“We of course said yes”.

Sherry received 37 dogs, 13 of which were puppies. Each dog received a full physical exam, fecal parasite exam, and full bloodworm, spay or neuter surgery, dental cleaning, vaccinations, de-worming, and any other medical conditions addressed.

“All of these dogs were quite scared as you could imagine; even putting a leash on them was traumatic in their eyes. But the more we handled them the more they started to calm down. Last week we had three more come in for more of the same, but these were all females who had recently weaned puppies.”

“All of the procedures have been greatly discounted and been covered by both the club’s rescue fund as well as donations from around the country.”

Sherry Myers told us “Dr. Kasper and her team provided the Eskies a great service. She is kind, compassionate and has a great bedside manner.”

As a dog-lover myself, I stopped by Companion Animal Medical frequently to check on the puppies. One day I was brought to tears, when I met an older dog that was named “Pirate” by Dr. Kasper and her staff. Over his internment in Kennewick he’d lost an eye. In my experience, animals called “Pirate” have a black spot over one eye; they haven’t had their eye gouged out. What should have been his beautiful white coat was yellowed due to what Dr. Kasper called “poor nutrition.”

We are proud to welcome Dr. Kasper and her staff back as an Advertiser. We marvel at her state of the art facility and her team, which allowed them to care for some many Eskies in a short time, and give them a new lease on life. Imagine what her kind and caring treatment can bring to your pet.

You can find Dr. Leslie Kasper and her team in her state of the art Normandy Park clinic at 19655 1st Ave South, 206-878-0405, or by clicking here.

Ms. Myers has updated the story of the Eskies for us: “Of the 37 Eskies, all have found ‘forever homes’ or in foster homes.”

If you’d like to learn more about Eskies, click here.

To find out more about the Kennewick Puppy Mill raid, click here.

Now’s a really good time to give Dr. Kasper and Companion Animal a try, they’ve got a March special of $75 off Pet Dental Cleaning, and a special through April of 50% off New Client First Exam.

[Would you like to have a “Blogvertorial” story, Ad and/or Event Listing like this on a popular, fast-growing website read by thousands of interested Local Readers every month? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]

The annual Des Moines Pet Festival was held Saturday at Beach Park, and dozens of local pets showed up along with their owners. Photographer Michael Brunk captured these images:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Yes, we too troll Craigslist for those oh-so-weird yet compellingly-funny ads, and this week’s Des Moines-based Ad O’The Week is a killer…literally:

seattle-tacoma craigslist > seattle > community > pets

Convict Cichlid (Des Moines)

Date: 2009-08-01, 7:09PM PDT
Reply to: comm-5zdxz-1301212412@craigslist.org

Free Convict Cichlid.

He is an ornery and mean fish so if you want him he’s all yours.

He’s about 5 inches long and actually pretty good looking for a typical Convict but he is chewing up our other Pink Convict and he must go.

Please call Chris at 206-941-1409

So, if you want a FREE ornery and mean fish who’s actually pretty good looking…he’s all yours, so give Chris a call!

With the summer months comes heat, late sunsets and of course…an awakened Mother Nature, including predators like coyotes.

WLB Reader Cindy sent us the following email:

Could some type of notification be sent to Des Moines residents that there are coyotes in the area?

I’ve seen them (and heard pups) in the greenbelt between 15 Ave S & 13 Ave S. I’ve seen several people looking for their cats & some have posted fliers. I’ve heard cats screaming at night. I’m sure coyotes and raccoons are getting some, if not all, of them.

Marine View Vet told my neighbors that a cat they found had been attacked by coyotes – it had to be euthanized when it was discovered to also have feline aids.

There’s a clearing south of 22633 15th Ave S where children sometimes play, people walk their dogs & they also pick blackberries. The coyotes and pups have been heard howling just on the edge of the clearing (on the edge of the greenbelt), just feet and maybe inches from where these people have been observed.

I’m afraid someone is going to get hurt if something isn’t done. Please advise.

Thank you,
Cindy

The last known coyote scare in the area that we know of was last August, when fliers were posted in the North Hill neighborhood about missing pets and sightings of these creatures (read the post here on our sister site The B-Town Blog).

Here’s a video from last September of a coyote spotted in Seattle:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apuKlq-v2iE[/youtube]

And here’s one of a trucker in British Columbia feeding a coyote his leftover sandwich:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09eb88XgZDk[/youtube]

Have you seen a coyote? Think they’re a danger to Des Moines? Please take our poll or Comment below…

by Dr. Leslie Kasper, DVM
Companion Animal Medical Center

Boy it’s hot out! Ninety-plus degree weather and no real rainfall in months; Des Moines residents 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 WLB Advertiser Companion Animal Medical Center, 206-878-0405)

Des Moines annual Pet Festival is coming to the 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.”

by Jim Branson

Have you been to this area’s's off-leash dog park?

Grandview Park is Disneyland for Dogs, the happiest place on earth, according to my dogs. My youngest will start yipping with joy as soon as we turn off of I-5 at the 200th Street exit. Although this park is actually in Sea-Tac, it’s only 10-15 minutes away from the middle of Des Moines, and it is supported, in part, by local tax dollars.

We have been going to this park ever since it opened in 2003. It’s a great place to visit on a sunny spring day, but it’s even better, from a Labrador Retriever’s perspective, when we’ve had two inches of rain, or when it has a blanket of snow. Actually, there’s never a bad time to visit the dog park.

With 37 acres to roam, you can spread out and find your own space, or you can congregate at the main play field to let your dogs socialize. To the north of the main dog areas, you’ll find a healthy forest with native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. The park is maintained, in part, by volunteers from SODA, Serve Our Dog Areas.

Currently, the grass is higher than a dog’s eye. It’s kind of fun to play in, but one of my dogs came home with a tick, which must have been lurking in that tall grass, waiting for a tasty dog to trot by. I’m sure they will be cutting the grass soon. It’s hard to find a ball when it goes into that deep grass, and the mower will probably be spitting out shards of tennis balls on mowing day.

My youngest dog always finds a mud hole to wallow in, but you can keep your dogs clean if you steer them away from the low spots. I have found that a muddy dog is a happy dog, and I can always give them baths when we get home.

PROS:

• Large open space with good gravel surfaces and plenty of grass.
• Great view of Mt. Rainier, most days.
• Friendly, happy dogs.
• A nice trail through the forest to the north.
• Bathrooms, bag dispensers, and drinking water.
• It provides a place for Burien’s dogs to play off-leash, instead of our local parks, which aren’t designed for dogs to safely run off-leash.

CONS:

• DO NOT leave valuables in your car. Many cars have been broken into.
• Dog walking services sometimes come with dozens of dogs at a time, and they can’t always keep track of all the messes they should be cleaning up.
• It’s not actually in Burien.
• It is not 100% fenced, so people with dogs at risk of running off should choose a fully-fenced dog park, such as Westcrest, Genesee, or Magnuson.

Here’s a photo slideshow of my dogs in action at Grandview Park:

Click to View Slideshow

Grandview Park is located in SeaTac:

View Larger Map

Welcome our latest Advertiser to The Waterland 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 WLB, “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.

View Larger Map