Best of 2008: Pets

This year, Seattle gave us plenty to love. From museums (three cheers for the new Wing Luke Asian an

By Seattle Mag December 31, 1969

Category: Shopping + Fashion Articles

 

Best Place to Wash Your Own Dog
Rub-A-Dub Dog
(Greenwood, 6826 Greenwood Ave. N; 206.789.5311)
No one digs a dog-hair-coated bathtub, so instead of attempting, yet again, to bathe your stinky pups at home, haul ’em down to Greenwood’s beloved Rub-A-Dub Dog. With six self-wash stations equipped with waist-high porcelain tubs, Rub-A-Dub supplies dog owners with everything they need to get Spot clean, including shampoos, aprons, dryers, electric clippers, toenail clippers, ear cleaner, and even breath and after-bath sprays. Hit up “Yappy Hour” on Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. for the spectacular $17 special.

Best New Dog Spa Product

DERMagic’s aromatherapy Dead Sea bath salts
There’s nothing like soaking in aromatherapy bath salts after a long day of fetching the ball and chasing the cat. Thanks to Bellevue organic chemist Adelia Ritchie’s latest innovation, DERMagic, a line of natural skin care products for dogs, stressed pooches with dry skin can do just that with the Aromatherapy Dead Sea Bath Salts, which draw toxins from the skin, relieve itching and leave puppies smelling like they’ve had a day at the spa.

Best New Book Narrated by a Dog
The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein
Seattle-based Garth Stein’s charming New York Times best-selling novel is narrated by Enzo the Dog, who lives in Seattle with his owners, believes in reincarnation and looks forward to the end of his life—so that he can come back as a Buddhist race car driver. It’s sweet, moving, sometimes shattering, yet quite unsentimental: a gentle triumph. Good boy.


Best Canine Chiropractor

Dr. Lincoln Kamell, Eastlake Chiropractic
(Eastlake, 2722 Eastlake Ave. E, Suite 360; 206.324.8600)
Stiff dogs and cats can find relief in the capable hands of Dr. Kamell, a top back doc who treats touring dancers as well as local (human) patients. Also certified in animal chiropractic, he points out affably, “Hey, animals have spines, too.” Booked an appointment? Don’t forget to bring a treat for Dr. Kamell’s beagle-mix puppy, Tasha, the official office greeter.


Best Swimming Pool for Pups

Helene Madison Pool
(Haller Lake, 13401 Meridian Ave. N; 206.684.4979)
Got a water dog? For an alternative to Magnuson Park, head to Helene Madison Pool (but don’t tell so many people that it becomes a circus). The pool closes briefly each year for maintenance, but before the water’s drained, Seattle Parks and Recreation opens the door to dogs for a couple of hours in late summer (this year’s doggie swim day was August 23; check the City of Seattle’s Web site, for next year’s date). And at just $12 a pooch, every dog can have his day at the public pool.


Best Toy Shop for Your Purrr-fect Pet

Cats Exclusive
(Shoreline, 19203 Aurora Ave. N; 206.546.2287)
Feel like Fluffy gets the short end of Seattle’s dog-obsessed stick? Shoreline’s Cats Exclusive agrees. That’s why this cat toy store (in the same building as the veterinary clinic) is all feline, all the time. Scour through lush beds, stylish dishes, crazy catnip, kitty condos, toys and more to find that perfect gift for purrr-fect pal. But don’t come cryin’ to us when she still acts like you don’t exist.


Best Office Mascot

Flower at http://\/\/seattlemag.com/files/image/main/large/pets.jpg Shopping + Fashion Articles
1145 December 2008 2008-11-13 17:56:00.000 Best of Shopping From quirky shops (get thee to Foxmaid for a Davey Crockett hat) to floral boutiques with architectural arrangements (Willow & Bloom). This year Seattle gave us plenty to love. Category: Shopping + Fashion Articles

 

Best Shop for the Urban Gardener
Urbanweeds
(Fremont, 4302 Fremont Ave. N; 206.632.7680)
Apartment dwellers can still get some dirt under their nails and flex their green thumbs thanks to Fremont’s Urbanweeds. From self-watering flowerpots to “Garden in a Bag” herbs, this garden store has everything needed to make urban farming dreams a reality (you know you want to). Plus, most of the shop’s plants can thrive indoors, including a coffee plant that can live as long as 60 years.

Best Place to Wean Yourself Off of “Guitar Hero”
Emerald City Guitars
(Pioneer Square, 83 S Washington; 206.382.0231)
If you’ve been experiencing carpal tunnel symptoms from plastic guitar-playing overkill, step away from the Xbox and put your newfound finger-picking skills toward something productive, like learning to play the real deal. Emerald City Guitars, arguably one of the coolest guitar stores in the country, with exemplary customer service, can set you up with anything from a basic beginner guitar to the “holy grail,” a near-mint 1959 Gibson Les Paul ($395,000). Batteries not included.

Best Hybrid Museum/Shop
Kobo
(International District, 604 S Jackson St.; 206.381.3000)
The old sign reads “Higo Variety Store,” the newer sign reads “KOBO at Higo.” So which is it? KOBO. The unique shop, melding past with present, received a 2008 Mayor’s Small Business Award for creating a community space where arts are celebrated alongside Seattle’s Japantown history. Poetry readings, ikebana demonstrations and gallery talks are held within the walls that showcase memorabilia from the vintage five and dime and contemporary design.

Best New Flower Shop for Architectural Eurasian Arrangements
Willow & Bloom
(Fremont, 3415 Fremont Ave. N, Suite A; 206.913.8779)
Some see them as Asian, others say they’re contemporary. Whatever you call the indefinable arrangements of Fremont’s newest flower and gift shop, admiration is spreading, particularly among brides. Willow & Bloom’s designers keep it fresh with geometric containers and arrangements that marry typical European flowers like hydrangea and roses with tropical blooms such as orchids.

Best Reason to Keep Hand-Writing Your Thank-You Notes
Paper Delights
(Wallingford, 2205 N 45th St., Suite B; 206.547.1002)
This airy shop, opened last spring by mother-and-daughter owners Kathy Perkins and Alicia Olsen, boasts any stationery lover’s dream selection of lust-worthy paper stuffs, including the shop’s own initial note cards, delicate watercolor cards by local artist Walter Share, lush boxes of textile designer Amy Butler’s stationery, and lines by Orla Kiely and Kate Spade.

Best Pop-Up Shop
Pulp Lab
(Ballard, 1912 NW Dock Place; 206.706.7857)
Ballard’s new concept shop Pulp Lab (the store basically reinvents itself every few weeks) is now popping up all over Seattle. Through year’s end, temporary installations of its exclusive collection—from Project Runway’s Sweet P and visual artist Sage Vaughn—are being showcased in select boutiques and at SAM. The handmade, hand-painted dresses (up to $1,500) are worthy of checking out. Budget fashionistas will appreciate more affordable accessories: tees, $45; fingerless gl http://\/\/seattlemag.com/files/image/main/large/shopping_1208.jpg Shopping + Fashion Articles
1144 December 2008 2008-11-13 17:18:00.000 Best of 2008: Entertainment This year, Seattle gave us plenty to love. From museums (three cheers for the new Wing Luke Asian and NW African American museums!) to quirky shops (get thee to Foxmaid for a Davey Crockett hat) to exciting restaurant debuts (Poppy, The Corson Building, Pike Street Fish Fry) to truly stand-out neighborhoods (hello, Georgetown), we

 

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