Pets & Kids Archives | Seattle's Child

WPZ invites families to honor their lost animals

Cheryl Murfin — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 02:00:03 +0000

The passing of a pet or favorite zoo animal is difficult for any child, especially if it is their first contact with death. It’s hard to feel joyful following such a loss.

But joyful remembrance is exactly what Woodland Park Zoo is offering kids and families to do between Oct. 27 and Nov. 2. During that time, the zoo will use the Mexican tradition of Día de Muertos to honor and celebrate visitors’ cherished pets and zoo animals who have passed away.

Día de Muertos

Each fall, as November begins, families across Mexico — and increasingly here in Seattle — celebrate Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a tradition rooted in ancient Indigenous customs and blended with Catholic All Souls’ Day.

Rather than being Halloween scary, the celebration is joyful. It’s marked by candlelit ofrendas (altars) adorned with marigolds, photos of lost loved ones, favorite foods, and sugar skulls as families share memories, music, and more.

(Image: Woodland Park Zoo)

Zoo Ofrenda

The zoo’s ofrenda will pay tribute to pets and zoo animals who have passed away, not just recently but throughout the zoo’s history.

Visitors can submit photos, drawings, and other memorabilia of their pets to be honored.

“Last year was the first year we offered an animal ofrenda for Día de Muertos; however, we didn’t formally invite the community to submit photos or other memorabilia,” said zoo spokesperson Gigi Allianic. “This year, we’re making a concerted effort to engage our community in honoring their beloved pets and animals.

“We hope to instill empathy in kids toward animals — both pets and wildlife — and to demonstrate how we cherish animals and pets after they have passed as we did in the living world,” Allianic added.

Your Animals Honored

Zoo staff will be on hand to assist families by printing digital photos on Oct. 22 and 24 (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and on Oct. 25 and 26 during the zoo’s Pumpkin Bash from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. No photos? No problem. Coloring sheets and photo frame decorating supplies will be available.

Zoo officials hope the ofrenda, open between Oct. 27 and Nov. 2, will provide “meaningful space for reflection, remembrance, and gratitude for the animals who have shaped the history of [the zoo], inspired wildlife conservation efforts locally and globally, and sparked joy for the zoo and community.”

(Image: Woodland Park Zoo)

Zoo Animals Honored

As part of the event, zoo staff and volunteers will honor and remember zoo animals who touched their lives.

“I personally created numerous photos of many of our animals who passed, and I’ll continue to honor those same animals at this year’s ofrenda as well,” said Allianic.

Allianic’s list of beloved zoo animals includes baby elephant Hansa, orangutan Chinta, gorilla Vip, jaguar Nayla, hippo Lily, wolves Kaya and Shila, tapir Bintang, and many more.

“Of course, there will be many duplicates as we all honor them in our own special way, especially from the animal keepers,” she said. “I’m sure beloved animals we lost this year will be celebrated, such as snow leopard matriarch Helen, sloth bear Tasha, a variety of birds, and ambassador animals.”

Details

What: Starting October 22, submit digital photos, drawings, or notes of cherished pets and animals by going to: zoo.org/pumpkinbash. Submissions accepted through October 31. Items contributed will not be returned.
When: The ofrenda will be unveiled on Oct. 27 and open to zoo visitors during regular zoo hours through November 2. Starting October 25, with photos and offerings will be showcased on television monitors located at the ofrenda. The zoo is open with fall/winter hours: 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. daily. On October 25 and 26, watch as artist Carlos “They Drift” Aguilar paints a special mural for the ofrenda.
Cost: Ages 13 and up, $19.95; ages 3 to 12, $12.95; seniors, $17.95; ages two and under are free. Prices too steep? Check the free Museum Pass offered by Seattle Public Library and King County Library System.
Where: Head to the zoo’s Briar Oak across from the Historic Carousel.

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Pets now allowed in passenger areas on Washington State Ferries

Cheryl Murfin — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 15:01:17 +0000

Did you know the whole family is now allowed to road the passenger seating area on Washington State ferries?

You heard that right. The whole family, including the dog.

Why Washington State Ferries changed its pet rules

For the next six months, through February 2026, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is undergoing a trial of its recently updated pet policy. That means, rather than watching Rover’s sad eyes watch you and your kids as you walk away from your car on the car deck to go up to the ferry passenger lounge, you are invited to snap on a leash and take him with you.

According to the new pet policy, dogs on leashes are allowed in all passenger areas except onboard food galleys.

You can also bring other pets into the passenger areas on Washington State Ferries, but they must be in a crate or carrier. The exception is service animals, who are welcome everywhere on the boat by law.

This pup, shivering here on the deck, is now allowed inside Washington ferries as long as she’s on a leash. (Image: Cheryl Murfin)

Rules for pets on board

The department changed its pet policy after hearing from riders and reviewing what other transit agencies do about pets. Here are the basic rules.

Big dogs must stay on the floor, not on seats.
Small dogs should be on their owner’s lap or in a carrier.
Owners must control their pets and clean up after them.
Crews may direct owners to move pets back to the car or outside deck for safety or bad behavior.
All other pets must stay in a crate or carrier, except service animals.

Where are pets still restricted

Of course, according to longstanding ferry rules, leashed pets are welcome to remain in exterior passenger areas, including shelter decks, promenade decks, and sun decks.

How riders can give feedback

After your inaugural sail with your whole family, pets and all, the DSOT wants to hear from you. Rider input will help decide if the trial change will become permanent.

For more information, contact Washington State Ferries at 206-464-6400 or online.

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4H: Life lessons that stick

Charlene Dy — Mon, 13 May 2024 13:30:42 +0000

It’s 6:30 p.m. and 16-year-old Haven Loh sits at a computer deep inside a former elementary school that houses the Highline STEM Center in Burien. The main hallway looks like a robot’s parking lot, lined with builds from years past. The basketball court has been transformed into a robot playing field, with wooden posts, goals, and stations where students maneuver remote controls.

Believe it or not, this is 4H. Yes, the very same organization hailed for teaching kids the ins and outs of agriculture and animal care since 1902. We’ll get to the animals in a minute.

But in Burien, where he’s the technician for the Skunk Works Robotics team, Haven has created a pre-competition checklist to make sure that the team’s robot is in top condition before each match. No wire, motor, cable, or battery is overlooked.

The list is 85 items long, but Haven is unphased. To them, robotics equals “joy.”

The Tekerz robotics team at a 4-H competition. Photo by Joshua Huston

Learning through doing

Since joining the team, they’ve learned computer-assisted drawing (“I hated it–then I started really enjoying it”), critical thinking (“everything has a why”), design, mechanics, and prototyping (“really satisfying”).

Then of course, there’s competing (“so much fun”).

Haven is not alone. At the STEM Center, they are surrounded by dozens of students coding, fundraising, operating a floor-standing drill press, and eating brownies. Together, they represent multiple robotics teams, hailing from 16 different schools—and homeschools—across greater Seattle. They’re all 4-H kids. They might not know much about the organization or what the name represents (for the record: head, heart, hands, and health), but they still embody the century-old organization’s values.

4H history: Always at the edge

Since its founding, 4-H has involved youth in the cutting edge of science and technology.

In the 1800s, agricultural agents noticed that many farmers were unwilling to accept new research. “They were like, ‘Oh, maybe the kids will be more open to it,’” says Alyssa Bowers, 4-H faculty and director of the Washington State University King County Extension. “They started working with the farmer’s kids and the kids ended up bringing new practices and the research back to their parents.”

Those farm kids were the first members of 4-H.

Today, agriculture projects—specifically animal care—remain popular with 4-H, where most clubs are open to kids aged five to 18. The members of the Kelsey Creek Critters 4-H Club in Bellevue meet twice a month to raise rabbits, cavies, and poultry and compete at the King County Fair. They keep meticulous records, run board meetings, and learn animal science with the support of adult volunteers.

Photo by Charlene Dy

Animal care is not just fun, it’s a science

At home in Bellevue, club member Astrid Niemi, age 12, cradles an English Spot in her arms.

Earlier that week, Astrid clipped the rabbit’s nails, gave it a bath to ensure its fur was immaculate, checked its ears for mites, and confirmed that it was healthy enough to bring for a rabbit show on Saturday at the Enumclaw Expo Center. Most important for showing, says Astrid, “No urine stains!”

Ultimately, the rabbit doesn’t win Best of Breed, but Astrid isn’t too disappointed. 4-H has brought big responsibilities: She serves as the club’s recorder during meetings, cares for two rabbits, and, in an agreement with her parents, pays for 50% of the animal costs, including vet bills. Even so, she’s in it for the fun.

Her mom, Heather Niemi, the club’s co-leader, says: “I thought that what we were getting into with 4-H was just more responsibility and education around her specific animal, right? But it was so much more than that.”

Beyond animal education

“There’s poise. The ability to interact with the public,” Niemi adds. “Our kids learn how to make eye contact. How to present well. Explain their critical thinking to an adult. Run a business meeting.”

This is all by design.

“You get them in the door with the fun animals or the cool robotics,” says Bowers, “But we’re teaching them important life skills, even if it’s hidden behind all the fun things that they get to do.”

Volunteers and partnerships are what enable 4-H to provide a wide array of programming, while still staying true to the organization’s values.

An organization that relies on the community

Skunk Works, for instance, is a 4-H team that competes through FIRST Robotics, an organization whose founder, Dean Kamen, famously said, “We’re not using kids to build robots–we’re using robots to build kids.” It’s a very 4-H sentiment.

All 4-H programs share three things: mentorship, hands-on learning, and the opportunity to be a leader.

Those life lessons stick. In 2012, a Tufts University study showed that compared to those who did not participate, teens who took part in 4-H when they were younger were more likely to make positive contributions to their communities and abstain from risky behaviors.

In 2023, a new study followed those same kids into adulthood and found that they were now three times more likely to participate in community service, twice as likely to help people they don’t know, and twice as likely to report leading lives of purpose.

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Ready for service!

Rose Williamson — Mon, 06 May 2024 14:00:04 +0000

Flanagan is on his way to college and the Kim family couldn’t be more proud. They’ll miss him, of course, but they just want him to be successful and happy. It’s a typical family right of passage, heading off to school. Except that Flanagan is 14 months old. Oh, and he’s a dog.

The Kims—Ian, Sarah, 13-year-old Micah, and 9-year-old Noah—are among a number of families who volunteer to raise a puppy for Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB). Welcoming an 8-week-old ball of fur and returning a grown dog a year or so later is a big commitment, but it means months of joy, learning, and growth for the entire family.

After their Golden Retriever, Sadie, died, the Kims wanted a pet in their home. They met some guide dogs being raised in the neighborhood and talked as a family about raising a puppy. “GDB is a great program,” says Sarah, “and raising was an opportunity to volunteer to help others while enjoying the experience of having a dog again.”

Hard to say goodbye, but worth it

“At first, I wasn’t sure I wanted to do it,” Micah admits, “because I would have to say goodbye.” Once the family talked about it, though, they decided that as long as they went into the experience knowing what the outcome would be, that would make it doable. They were all in.

Decision made and ball of fur duly delivered, the boys were excited by both the fun and the responsibility. “We took Flanagan on walks together, went to GDB training meetings, and practiced with him,” says Micah. “Sometimes we practiced with other dogs, too, so we learned a lot about raising and training.”

Noah pipes in: “We took turns feeding him and learned to measure his food just right. But the best part was coming home from school and Flanagan would rush over and be so glad to see us.”

A mayor in the house

Sometimes Flanagan accompanied the boys to their school for special events.

“So did you hear about Flanagan being elected mayor?” asks Ian. Say what?? At the boys’ school, students vote each year to elect an animal—a fish, a dog, a bird—as “mayor.” This year it was Mayor Flanagan.

“The kids really got into it,” says Ian. “When Flanagan visited the school for the last time recently, the school gave him a send-off and explained to the students about his moving on to advanced training.”

Which mention brings the family full circle to the tough subject of saying goodbye. Asked how he is feeling as the day of departure approaches, Micah pauses a moment to consider. “Really,” he says, “I just want Flanny to be successful and be a good helper for the person who needs him.”

Staying involved

Will they do it again? Sarah answers for the family. “We’ve learned so much and the organization has been supportive and great to be a part of. We definitely will stay involved, volunteer to puppy-sit. Then who knows? Perhaps another puppy!”

If raising a puppy sounds interesting, but your family’s not ready to make that commitment, you can “puppy-sit” while learning about service dog training and getting to know the organization. Puppy-sitting allows family members to learn about caring for and training dogs and to “sit” a puppy-in-training when the raiser needs a break.

The Worthington family of Anacortes—Helen and Brian and their three kids, Tommy, Kyle, and Caitlin—have busy schedules full of sports and other activities, and they don’t feel ready to have a full-time dog just now.

Puppy sitting is an option!

“Puppy-sitting works perfectly for us,” says Helen Worthington.. “The kids haven’t been raised with a dog around, so they are eager to learn how to care for and train a dog. And to play, of course—when these dogs aren’t training or working, they’re just like any other dogs.”

Brian Worthington enjoys “seeing the kids take initiative with the puppies’ training exercises. It’s fun to watch both the kids and the dogs be successful.”

And the kids? Caitlin sums up how they feel about sitting succinctly: “The whole thing is REALLY fun!”

As a parting thought, Helen Worthington adds that she never worries about three kids and a puppy being too much. She says the nonprofit Summit Assistance Dogs makes it easy.

“I know that if we find ourselves in a challenging situation, there’s a network of committed staff and volunteers to help out,” she says.

4H: Life lessons that stick

Leader of the pack

Fostering compassion for animals has big benefits

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Fostering compassion for animals has big benefits for kids

Rose Williamson — Thu, 02 May 2024 19:22:23 +0000

A growing body of research indicates that caring for pets has long-term benefits for kids. Caring for an animal in childhood may lead to more secure human relationships throughout life, better quality of life, healthier well-being, and reduced aggression. And children who care for an animal are more likely to have compassion for all animals and treat them humanely.

But what if your family is not yet ready for permanent pet ownership or is unable to make that kind of long-term and financial commitment? Or you already have a pet but your kids want more animals in their lives?

Thankfully, there’s another – much-needed – option for connecting kids with the ethics and benefits of animal care: fostering shelter animals.

Fostering comes with responsibility but also with flexibility. Homeless animals have a variety of needs – small space or larger, short-term or longer, on their own or with other foster animals. Have resident pets? That can work well, too, though some foster animals will require a private or protected space in your home.

Kitty Love

The Manning family of Shoreline has fostered felines for PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Society) for five years. The family of five includes “master fosterers” Katie Manning and her 11-year-old daughters Eliana and Ava.

The three Mannings agree that the first few times they fostered, they felt a bit nervous, even though they had completed foster training at PAWS.

“We quickly learned we weren’t really on our own,” says Manning. “The PAWS Foster staff is wonderfully supportive.”

During years of fostering, they have become accustomed to returning beloved animals to the shelter to find their “forever homes.”

Ava remembers that returning the first couple groups of kittens was hard. “But then the family talked about it, and we just said, ‘Let’s do it again,” because the fun is much more than the sadness.”

The art of parting

Still, parting can be sweet sorrow. “It can be tough, especially at first,” says Manning. “I get a little teary when I drive up to the foster office.” But, she says, three things make that drive easier:

“We can’t keep them all.” The family has several permanent pets.
“When we return a current foster to the shelter, we make room in our home and hearts to take another one.”
The family has total trust in PAWS to vet potential adopters and ensure each feline finds a loving home.

The twins are heavily involved in the care of the fosters, including kittens. “We get to see the kittens being born,” Eliana says. “One time, I put it on Zoom so my friend could watch, too.”

“It was a mini biology lesson,” adds Manning.

Newborn kittens require special attention, although the mama cat is wired to provide most of the care. “We weigh them every day,” Ava says. “Sometimes we need to bottle- or syringe-feed them, so we’ve learned to make up the formula. We pass the kittens around and everyone helps.”

Even visitors. When people come to visit the Mannings, they help socialize the felines to living with humans. Sometimes, they fall in love and decide to adopt one or two. All potential adopters are interviewed and approved by PAWS staff to ensure the cats’ “forever homes” are happy homes.

Caring for Canines

Chris Korol and her daughter Jo Lauckhart, 12, haven’t kept a list, but they estimate they’ve fostered close to 200 dogs since they began in Berkeley, CA, when Jo was 5.

“When we returned to Seattle,” says Korol, “one of the first things we did was to look into local animal rescue organizations. PAWS is one of the oldest and largest and has a great reputation, so we signed up.”

Fostering is definitely a family affair, says Korol, although Jo’s dad and 15-year-old brother have less hands-on responsibility. Jo takes on extra responsibility by fostering small animals like rabbits and mice through Seattle Animal Shelter.

A foster fails mean love

Sometimes, there’s a “foster fail” – an animal the family just can’t part with. The curly ball of fur bouncing on Jo’s lap is a recent example. According to Jo, “She’s got so much personality. Plus, her sibling didn’t make it, and her mom got adopted, and I didn’t want to let her go.”

Korol enjoys fostering and says it has taught her kids responsibility and how to care for animals. “It’s temporary, so if the kids don’t pull their weight, a family just doesn’t foster again. Or they wait until the child matures and asks to try it again.”

For this family, one of the most rewarding parts of fostering has been welcoming mama dogs, who then have their puppies in the home.

“The kids have been able to watch the process, experience what that’s like, and then care for the newborn pups,” says Korol. Of course, the births don’t always go well, and that’s difficult. But, she says, “it’s also a learning opportunity, that’s a part of life. . . And the PAWS Foster staff is a big help when things don’t go as we had hoped.”

Now in middle school, Jo continues to feel great about taking in foster dogs and other animals. How would she advise a friend whose family is considering fostering? She would give an unqualified thumbs-up.

“It’s a lot of work sometimes,” she says. “But it’s really worth it. You feel good about helping, and the animals are just lots of fun!”

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Pets are good for kids; here’s why | Ask the Pediatrician

Susanna Block — Sun, 28 Apr 2024 23:11:20 +0000

“You cannot share your life with a dog and not know perfectly well that animals have personalities and minds and feelings.” – Dr. Jane Goodall

Possibly because it is spring or possibly because Dr. Jane Goodall, preeminent primatologist, recently spoke in Seattle, people are talking about pets.

Adding a pet to your family is a big decision, but there are huge benefits if you decide to take the leap. Teaching empathy, responsibility, getting outside and boosting the immune system (unless your child has known allergies) are some of the plusses. The key is to choose your pet and the timing wisely to set yourself up for success. Let’s celebrate spring by talking about the power of pets.

Kids and pets: the benefits

Furry friends can boost immunity and reduce asthma
I’ve said it before: Dirt can be a good thing when it comes to our health. Exposure to germs makes for a more resilient immune system and can improve the human microbiome, reducing the risk of developing allergies.

Studies have shown that children who grow up with pets are less likely to experience colds, ear infections, coughs, asthma, allergies and eczema compared to those not exposed to animals. This is particularly true for dogs, but any furry animals, especially those that go in and out of the house, can boost immunity and reduce other risks over a lifetime. Amazingly, petting a dog for even a short time can raise antibody levels that protect against infection.

If your children have environmental allergies, be cautious about introducing a new pet as they can increase symptoms in people who already have allergies.

If feeding the pet is your child’s responsibility, you’ll need to ensure that they do it. (Stock image)

Kids and pets: more pluses

Pets help develop responsibility
Walking the family dog or feeding the hamster can help build consistent routines, which can teach responsibility and help organize the day. Caring for pets is a good way to learn empathy, compassion and thoughtfulness toward others. It also builds nonverbal communication skills and — some research shows — language skills: Your child is still building vocabulary during a one-sided conversation with the dog.

Pets are good for mental health and physical health
What’s more calming than a tail wag or a deep purr? Pets provide positive interaction for children and a sense of security, especially for children with anxiety, autism spectrum disorder and ADHD. Animals can take the stress out of new situations and be a calming presence at the end of the day. Pets even help lower blood pressure in adults and can combat loneliness and depression at any age. Taking a dog for a walk is a fun way to get outside, get your blood pumping, chat and play.

Connecting to nature
Living with a pet is also a way to connect to nature and life cycles. Our urban lives are often disconnected to nature. Caring for a pet throughout its life is a way to talk about the life cycle. We recent lost our longtime cat, and it prompted important discussions about life, aging and death. These are difficult conversations but also so real and part of being a human being.

Get advice so you choose an animal that’s a good fit for your family and your lifestyle. (Stock photo)

Kids and pets: things to think about

Set yourself up for success: Choose the right pet
There is no doubt, having a pet can be a great addition to a family, but it is also work. If your hope is to have the pet be a companion for your child, it makes sense to wait until they are at least 5 to 6 years old and they are mature enough to treat the animal appropriately. Often younger children view pets like “animated stuffies,” which can lead to roughhousing, running the risk of getting scratched or bitten.

Spend time with your child researching what type of pet would be appropriate. Learn about the temperament and care needs before making the decision. You want to select a pet that works for your family.

Make a realistic plan
Having appropriate expectations is also key. No question, your child will promise to do everything, every day, forever during the initial pet discussion. We all know that this enthusiasm wanes. Make a realistic plan with your child about what you expect them to do. Stay involved so you are aware when they need prompting to meet care needs. For example, does the dog have water?, etc.

There are lots of wonderful rescue animals out there looking for forever homes. You can talk with the coordinators at your local shelter about finding a fit for your lifestyle and your children’s ages and temperament. Whatever pet is right for you and your family, consider the pet’s needs, too, and the time, money and responsibility that go into caring for a pet over the years.

With the right fit, pets are wonderful companions, teachers and friends! Good boy!

More from Dr. Block and Kaiser Permanente in Seattle’s Child:

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What to know before adopting a family pet

Erika Bigelow — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 14:44:00 +0000

If you have kids old enough to communicate, you have likely been on the receiving end of some serious pet begging. Perhaps you have been waiting for the kids to reach a certain age or to prove a certain level of responsibility before getting a family pet.

If you Google “kids and pets” you will see pages of ridiculously-adorable memes of cuddly kittens and roly-poly puppies. The appeal of baby animals is undeniable, but the workload is extraordinary.

Several years ago we held a birthday party for Murphy, our dog.

Canine celebrations are not the norm in our household, but it was a three-day weekend and my kids caught me at a weak moment. We invited (dog) guests, made a cake (for human consumption), bought (dog) presents, and sang an enthusiastic rendition of the Happy Birthday song to the pooch. I think he was more confused than impressed, although he did appreciate the play date and dog treats.

Teaching kids empathy and responsibility

As I reflected on the event, the planning and prep made me truly appreciate our four-legged family member. It the time , he was usually swept along in the tidal wave of daily activity and not regularly the center of attention. Besides, grade-school aged boys, which mine were at the time, don’t often look beyond themselves. This party — begged for and implemented by them — was a tangible display of empathy on their part and a reminder of the power of the pet.

Dog age & adoption timing

Seattle Humane Society encourages families to consider adopting adult and even senior pets. Unlike puppies and kittens, older animals are usually housebroken, most have outgrown chewing issues and other destructive habits, they have reached their full size, and are often less hyper.

Timing is important, too. Adopting at the beginning of summer is smart. The weather is better, so more time can be spent outside exercising, training, and bonding with your new pet. And if the kids are going to follow through on their promise to care for the new family member, they will have more time to establish a routine without a school commitment. The fact that summer has turned into fall should not be a deal breaker, however. Animals are ready for adoption all year round.

Where do Seattle Humane Society animals come from?

Most animals the Seattle Humane Society receives, organization officials report, are owner surrenders or transfers from other shelters in Washington state. Upon arrival at the shelter, the animals are given a thorough medical exam then behavior-tested by specialists to determine their temperament. Can the animal be touched while they’re eating? Are they comfortable with gentle tugging on their ears and tails? Do they play well with other animals? These questions and more help the specialists determine the animal’s level of socialization as well as the recommended age minimum for children of prospective families.

Once the animals are spayed/neutered and up-to-date on their vaccinations, the Seattle Humane Society’s adoption specialists take over. These trained matchmakers look at the daily routines, space, lifestyle, and wishes of prospective families and help match them to their perfect pet.

Starting the process

What do you need to do if you think you are ready to bring home a dog? Laura recommends reviewing and completing the Seattle Humane Pre-Adoption Questionnaire before coming to the shelter. Determine if you are allowed a pet at your residence if there is a size limitation, how many hours a day the pet would be home without you, the types of activities you would do with your pet, and your tolerance for certain pet behaviors. Then gather your family together and head to the shelter.

Animal adoption benefits

The adoption benefits for the pet are obvious: a home, loving attention, food, and exercise. The benefits to you and your family are equally powerful. A pet will bring laughter, joy, devotion, comfort, a reason to exercise, a shared family focus, a possible boost in kids’ immune systems, an increase in empathy, and an excuse to throw an additional birthday party!

Need more persuading? Check out the article “Why pets are good for kids” from our Ask the Pediatrician columnist Dr. Susanna Block. And for more inspiration, explore the “102 scientific benefits of having a dog” from the website Fluent Woof.

Curious about how many people own a pet in the U.S. or around the world? Check out the stats at the World Animal Foundation.

Other places open for animal adoption

Seattle has several options for pet adoption, organizations that are committed to animal welfare and making sure that families and pets are well matched. They include, among others:

More on kids and pets in Seattle’s Child:

Not sure you’re ready for a pet? Consider trying out pet care temporarily. Fostering a pet is a great way for families to experience and learn what it takes to have an animal family member. To learn more about fostering a pet, check out our article “Fostering compassion for animals has big benefits” online at Seattleschild.com.

Day trip to The Reptile Zoo

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6 beaches where your canine kids can roam free

Cheryl Murfin — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 23:54:00 +0000

Dogs and kids are definitely different. Still, a whole lot of them have at least one thing in common: they love running wild and free on a beach. Particularly a sandy one.

But despite more than a million homes in the greater Seattle region reporting at least one canine family member, dogs are not allowed on Seattle-run public beaches. And, while 18 parks in King County officially allow them to roam leash-free, most beaches in our region do not.

What’s a dog-loving, beach-loving family to do?

Django on the beach at Ebey’s Landing. Photo courtesy of Rick Castellano

The boon of Double Bluff

I can’t understate my family’s — and my dog Poppet’s — joy when we stepped onto the sand at Double Bluff Beach on Whidbey Island on a cool Saturday afternoon in March. Stretched out before us were two miles of wide-open, fresh-aired freedom. Two miles of nose-down exploration along the sand, among driftwood piles and around tiny tide pools.

As we combed for shells along the water, Poppet ran crazy dog donuts in the sand, sometimes chased by other playful pups, sometimes all on her own because, well, sand. Clumps of families strolled the wide expanse or nestled down in the sand to dig and build, their dogs circling them in wet-coated glee.

Wildlife first!

Although it wasn’t marked, we assumed the dog’s welcome mat ended where the beach turns from sand into a wide bed of barnacle and anemone-covered rocks, 2 miles from the parking lot. Even if dogs were allowed in that area, we decided to turn around so as not to disturb marine life. By the time we got back to our car, Poppet dropped into her kennel with a happy, sandy sigh. Then, like a well-exercised toddler in a car seat, she was asleep about two minutes later.

Make it a twofer!

It takes a minute to get to Whidbey. From Seattle, head north to Mukilteo and catch the short (15-minute) ferry to the island. From there it’s an 8-mile drive and a straight shot to Double Bluff.

But if you are going all that way to let your dog run free, consider driving the 20 miles up the island after the kids and dog have rested. That’s where you’ll find Ebey Landing National Historical Reserve, which not only invites dogs to its beaches but on larger park trails.

Getting roam closer to home

Dog outings in January at Richmond’s Saltwater Park beach. Photo by Ian Grant Photography

If hopping a ferry doesn’t float your boat, but your little ones (including Fido) are itching to roll in the sand, Richmond Beach Saltwater Park welcomes dogs off-leash between November 1 and March 15. Dogs must be on-leash in all areas of the park between March 16 and October 31. And they must be on a leash while entering and exiting the beach even if it’s the off-leash season. Saltwater Park is rockier than Double Bluff, but it is sure to excite your furry friends’ keen sense of smell. Rocks, sand, seagulls, and driftwood are all part of the scene here.

And not that far north of Saltwater Park, the name of the sandy, rocky, woody beach at the south end of Edmonds says it all: Off Leash Area Edmonds, or OLAE for short. At dusk, this stretch of beach is often hopping with untethered dogs, kids, and families. It’s a great place to socialize your pup and also connect with other dog lovers. In fact, OLAE has its own website and FaceBook page and each October runs one of the city’s most beloved and family-oriented pet events. The Halloween Howl event helps raise funds to keep the beach maintained.

Beach sunset, dogs and families at Off Leash Area Edmonds. Photo courtesy Facebook.com/offleash.edmonds

And in Everett, dogs are free to roam sans leash on the north beach at Howarth Park. Dog lovers say Howard is a “gem” of a beach and it’s kept that way by owners being meticulous about cleaning up after their pooches.

Off-leash further afield

If you got the time and the inclination for a little family travel, one Washington Coast beaches stands out for my family, especially Poppet.

Ocean Shores’ Dog Beach offers a big beautiful open space to dogs (and kids) running from Taurus Beach Approach to Butter Clam. The only rules: clean up after your dog and keep them under voice control. Beyond that, this beach is a dog paradise, what with all the gulls chasing, the waves to romp, and the sand your kids will try to bury them in.

The last time we took that trip, Poppet stuck her four paws solidly in the ground when I indicated it was time to go. I could almost see the thought bubble above her head:

“Nooooooooo!”

Thankfully I had her favorite treat in my pocket and we were saved from pitching our tent on that blustery fall evening or prying her out of her rigid “no go” stance. She got in the car after those four hours on the beach and curled into spent ball, her spirit fulled unleashed.

More at Seattle’s Child:

“Kids and pets: What to know before adopting”

The post 6 beaches where your canine kids can roam free appeared first on Seattle's Child.

Family Pet Contest finalist: A perfect puppy match

Astrid Vinje — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 23:35:06 +0000

Tale of a COVID puppy: While 2020 was a challenging year for many, for one rescue dog it was a blessing in disguise. Teddy Bear, a mixed-breed poodle and Australian cattle dog from a puppy mill in Texas, never expected his life to change.

But that’s exactly what happened when he was adopted by the Basilio family.

Nine-year-old Mia Basilio and her 14-year-old brother, Christian, had always wanted a dog. And their time during lockdown only made that desire stronger.

“Since COVID was happening, and we were kind of bored, we decided to see what kinds of dogs were out there,” recalls Mia.

Determined to persuade their parents to get a dog, the duo created a PowerPoint presentation loaded with pictures of wide-eyed puppies. Mia and Christian hoped that the presentation would show their parents that owning a dog could help them learn responsibility.

Their plan worked. Soon the two siblings were scrolling through the pages of Dog Gone Seattle (doggoneseattle.org), a local dog-rescue website, looking for their future pet, a COVID puppy.

That’s when they saw Teddy Bear. At only a few weeks old, he was a golden ball of fluff.

Mia and Christian instantly fell in love with him.

“He really stood out,” Mia remembers. “He was really cute, and we’d never seen a dog like him before.”

To ease into dog ownership, the Basilios decided to foster Teddy Bear before officially adopting him. They soon learned that bringing a dog into a family isn’t always easy.

“It did take him a while to get used to our house,” admits Mia. “He kept going to the bathroom inside the house and it was hard to clean up all the time.

“We kept him in one area in our downstairs,” she continues, “so we just got him used to being in one part of the house at a time. Eventually we brought him up to where we eat.”

Little by little, Teddy Bear learned the ins and outs of being a family dog in Seattle. Mia and Christian enjoyed training Teddy Bear and teaching him tricks. He even learned a useful trick to let his family know when he needs to relieve himself.

“He started ringing a bell when he needs to go outside,” says Mia proudly, “and now that’s what he does when he wants to go to the bathroom.”

He’s certainly come a long way from his time at the puppy mill!

These days, Teddy Bear, at 10 months old, is a full-fledged member of the Basilio family. While some of his fluff has gone away, the COVID puppy’s golden hair still remains. And the months of love and affection from the Basilios have nurtured him into a secure and gentle dog.

“He’s very smart,” Mia says, beaming. “He learned his tricks really quickly. And he’s very protective, but he’s also really gentle and nice. He loves people and other dogs.”

Like the rest of his family, Teddy Bear is a die-hard fan of the Seattle Sounders and wears his blues and greens with pride.

“He has his own Sounders ball,” says Mia, “and whenever we kick it around, he plays with it.”

Teddy Bear, who is still a puppy, loves taking walks around the neighborhood and visiting Nutty Squirrel Gelato for his favorite treat, a dog-friendly ice pop called a pupsicle. He also loves dressing up in costumes with Mia and Christian.

Teddy Bear’s story is a sweet reminder that a loving family, no matter if they’re the two-legged or four-legged variety, can make a world of difference.

Editor’s note: Congratulations to the winner, finalists and honorable mentions of our second Family Pet Contest! We put out a call for family pet photos and stories early in 2021, and are delighted to see such a lively mix of canines, felines, lizards and birds out there among our readers!

This story was first published on March 2, 2021.

More Family Pet Contest news

Family Pet Contest winner: An Everett mother and son raise two caiques while fostering other birds in need

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Dog parkour? Puppy tricks?

Jillian O'Connor — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 02:05:06 +0000

Walking the dog is big in a pandemic, and you’ve doubtless seen memes since last March quoting the dog asking the humans to just leave him alone: “I’ve been on 20 walks today!”

But dog trainers know there are ways you can have a good time with your pet and try something new too. Dog trainer Tegan Moore practices parkour with her dogs now that they’re at home together – a lot.

“For parkour, you don’t need anything except a harness that you can use to help support the dog as they’re doing obstacles, so if you have a dog and you have a harness, you can do parkour,” says Moore.

Outside, that can mean climbing over or under park benches, or even making a quick bounce off a wall. Inside, that can mean walking on a small bench, onto a chair, and then shimmying under a bench.

“Dog parkour is a way to use the everyday world to engage your dog in jumping, climbing, crawling, turning, balancing, and thinking hard about what their bodies are doing. It’s not just jumping on and off things – it’s creating a shared game for you and your dog as a team, out of nothing but the environment around you,” says Moore’s website, temeritydogs.com.

Moore points out that doing agility training with dogs – something she recalls begging her mom to let her do as a kid – is a serious enterprise, with standards for equipment and techniques. On the other hand, parkour is fun and accessible and something that can easily be improvised at home.

“You can still create little obstacle courses, even if you’re on very strict lockdown,” says Moore. “This is kind of how we passed time during the first month of lockdown. We just did parkour in the house.

“It does involve jumping on furniture, but in my case that’s not a problem,” she says, laughing.

It’s also a great way to get younger family members involved.

“I’ve seen a lot of kids really succeed in doing parkour with dogs,” says Moore.

As we spoke on a video call, she had her dog Reckless run a demo of some simple at-home parkour moves, such as squeezing under a broomstick over cones, onto a step stool and ultimately standing on a chair to await a treat.

“They need more stimulation and good ways to help them understand what is OK and what isn’t. Just having having that good rapport with your dog, where they really trust you, that you know what’s going on and you know how to explain to them what you want,” says Moore, who explains that she rewards her dogs for trying or even just considering a move, and doesn’t push dogs to do anything that seems scary to them.

It’s also just fun, she notes. She recommends that pet owners looking for more parkour information visit the website of the International Dog Parkour Association, dogparkour.org.

Sarah Owen, an instructor at Ahimsa Dog Training in Ballard (ahimsadogtraining.com) teaches a course on puppy tricks. (The school also has offered courses that teach agility with a casual approach.)

Tricks classes are an easy way to have dogs training at the facility but maintain distance from other dogs and their people, without having to share agility equipment or other surfaces. The course Owen teaches is not parkour or agility, as she notes, but it does offer an opportunity to bond with your dog and challenge their minds by doing moves like spins, crawling through tunnels, learning play bows and rolling over.

“I think the nicest thing about teaching tricks or agility is that it really focuses on building your relationship with your dog and improving your communication with your dog,” says Owen, “so rather than a focus on ‘You must do this thing because I told you to,’ it’s ‘Let’s do this fun thing together.’ ”

Owen notes that a toddler’s play tunnel can double as a casual puppy or dog tunnel.

The tricks are a way for dogs to get valuable mental, as well as physical, exercise. Ahimsa even offers an opportunity for dogs to earn an American Kennel Club trick dog title.

Most tricks don’t require special equipment and can be done casually at home by interested families. AKC’s trick checklists are available online, says Owen, at akc.org/sports/trick-dog. (There are instructional videos, too.)

If your dog needs something to do these days, there’s no barrier to learning tricks on your own.

More family pet news

Family Pet Contest finalist: Two young Sounders fans find the rescue dog of their dreams online

Family Pet Contest winner: An Everett mother and son raise two caiques while fostering other birds in need

The post Dog parkour? Puppy tricks? appeared first on Seattle's Child.

Pets & Kids Archives | Seattle's Child

WPZ invites families to honor their lost animals

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Details

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Why Washington State Ferries changed its pet rules

Rules for pets on board

Where are pets still restricted

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4H history: Always at the edge

Animal care is not just fun, it’s a science

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An organization that relies on the community

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What to know before adopting a family pet

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Starting the process

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More on kids and pets in Seattle’s Child:

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6 beaches where your canine kids can roam free

The boon of Double Bluff

Wildlife first!

Make it a twofer!

Getting roam closer to home

Off-leash further afield

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