Showing posts with label dogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dogs. Show all posts

Oktoberfest Wiener Dog Races at Lodge at St. Edward September 21, 2024

Friday, September 13, 2024

Weiner dog race at Kenmore Oktoberfest
Photo courtesy Kenmore Oktoberfest

Get ready for a tail-wagging good time at the First Annual Kenmore Oktoberfest Wiener Dog Races hosted at The Lodge at St Edward Park!

Join us on Saturday, September 21, 2024 starting at 1pm to watch as spirited dachshunds dash down a perfectly sized course, each vying for the coveted title of First Place Winner! 

Whether you believe your wiener dog has what it takes to be a champion, or you simply want to enjoy the adorable sight of dozens of pups racing to glory, this is an event you won’t want to miss. 

Expect excitement, laughter, and perhaps a few detours as some dogs take a moment to socialize with fans and onlookers. 

Don’t have a Dachshund but still want to join the fun? Enter your dog in our Wiener Dog "Wannabe Race" and be part of the action.

Lodge at St. Edward State Park
Photo courtesy GreenRubino

WHEN: Saturday, September 21st, starting at 1 PM
WHERE: The Lodge at St Edward State Park, 14477 Juanita Drive Northeast, Kenmore, WA 98028
EVENT LINK: (with race terms and conditions for participants), and more info on all the great Kenmore Oktoberfest activities here 
COST: Free to attend and spectate; $10 to register your dog to race with a portion of the proceeds donated to a local animal shelter, thanks to the support of the Kenmore Heritage Society.

Race day is also a great chance to explore inside The Lodge at St. Edward Park, which is dog-friendly year-round!

The Lodge at St. Edward Park is a beautifully restored former seminary built in 1931, transformed into an 84-guestroom luxury hotel. Located in a lush 326-acre forest just 20 minutes from Seattle, this historic Northwest landmark boasts three restaurants and bars, an art gallery, a world-class spa, and year-round activities for hotel guests and locals alike to enjoy, including an indoor pickleball court, game nights in the library, guided historic tours, nature hikes through the park, and more.


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KCSO adds new K9 team to Metro police unit

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Roland (human) and Bodhi (K9) are KCSO
explosive experts assign to Metro Transit

Put your paws together for our new K9 team who just passed the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Certification.

Meet Roland (the human) and Bodhi (the K9)

They work Metro Transit as Explosive Detection Handlers.

And we couldn't be prouder.

--King County Sheriff's Office


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King County Sheriff's Office takes down another drug trafficker

Friday, August 16, 2024

K9 Quinn. Photo courtesy KCSO
On August 7, 2024 Detectives from the Special Emphasis Team in Burien Precinct 4 (with an assist from the teams in Shoreline Precinct 5 and SeaTac Precinct 6) busted a major drug-trafficker, pulled many pounds of drugs off the street, and seized a firearm.

Search warrants served in Auburn and SeaTac led to the arrest in Auburn.

Naturally, Quinn the K-9 was key.

Seized:
  • 17.62 lbs of methamphetamine
  • 7.35 lbs of fentanyl powder
  • 6.42 lbs of cocaine
  • 68,000 M/30 pills seized
  • Over $44,000 in drug proceeds
  • 1 firearm
  • 1 vehicle
"Hard work pays off"


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Gerbil rescue

Friday, July 19, 2024

Kind-hearted citizens in Northcrest Park. Photo by Seattle Poppy

Roving photographer Seattle Poppy came across this scene in Northcrest Park in Shoreline.

People were walking in the park when their dogs discovered a box holding 10 gerbils. The gerbils were rescued and delivered to an animal rescue group.


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CORRECTION: K9 Quinn is a partner - not a member of the Shoreline Police force

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

K9 Kota
Shoreline PD
In a recent notice about Officer Planalp and K9 Rex returning to the Shoreline Police Department, we said that they joined K9 Quinn, renowned for his part in numerous drug busts in King County.

Quinn is a partner to Shoreline, not a member of the force. Shoreline PD works with other KCSO departments in the county to identify and arrest drug dealers and confiscate their drugs.

Officer Planalp and K9 Rex join Officer Dallon and K9 Kota as full-time members of the Shoreline PD. 

Kota and his handler have been with Shoreline for several years.



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Second K9 unit for Shoreline Police

Saturday, June 22, 2024


Shoreline Police report that Officer Planalp has returned to Shoreline after his time as a detective, and we are happy to have him back with his loyal companion, “Rex,” our second duo to join our K9 unit.

Officer Quinn
K9 Officer Quinn and his handler specializes in locating illegal drugs.

Correction: K9 Quinn is a partner to Shoreline PD, not a member of this force.


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Old Dog Haven Celebrates 20th Anniversary July 13, 2024 at Cromwell Park

Thursday, June 20, 2024


Old Dog Haven dog Punkin is celebrating her 20th birthday this year and she’d like you to join her at Old Dog Haven’s 20th Anniversary Party in the Park on Saturday, July 13, 2024 from 10:000am to 3:00pm. at Cromwell Park in Shoreline. 18030 Meridian Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133.

Free admission.

We’re celebrating because: In the last 20 years,
  • 3,734 dogs were taken into care.
  • 4,705 dogs were courtesy posted on our website to help others
  • 8,439 total dogs were helped.

Not only is this a remarkable achievement for a regional nonprofit organization, but we’ve become the largest senior dog rescue of its kind in the U.S.


Punkin is the spokes dog for our party because she’s the poster girl for ODH in so many ways. Here’s what her dog mom, Diane, says about her:

“She is my energizer bunny: The practically perfect Punkin. 20 years old, blind, deaf, only three legs, but she has the happiest disposition ever. Punkin is the sweetest, happiest girl. Nobody told her she's 20 years old, and she enthusiastically seeks a warm lap, somebody to cuddle or an opportunity to bask in the sun. 

"She came to ODH 6 years ago, matted so badly that her back leg had to be removed. She immediately embraced her new life with joy and overflowing love, and her 3-legged hop just added to her charm. 

"Today she is slower, but she still loves all people, lap time and sun-worshiping. This is what ‘practically perfect’ looks like!”

Punkin at Read to a Rescue event

Punkin Is a champion napper, but she’s also a wonderful ambassador for ODH; She loves to meet and greet people at events (You’ll have an opportunity to meet her at the party), but she also is in constant demand at the Read to a Rescue events where children who are shy about reading out loud to people are willing to read to dogs. 

Even though Punkin is deaf, she hears with her heart and that ability calms the children and they love having her close to them. The little girl pictured here read to Punkin for almost an hour!

Please join Punkin and her friends while you participate in the silent auction, enjoy vendor food, and join the activities. 

See our event website for more information


Old Dog Haven is a small nonprofit group using a large network of foster homes to provide loving, safe homes for unadoptable senior dogs in need in western Washington. When we have room and the means, we take these dogs into our homes.

We care for them as members of the family in permanent foster homes (what we call “Final Refuge”) and provide all needed veterinary care for as long as they have a good quality of life. In addition, we assist rescues, shelters and owners in finding new homes for senior adoptable dogs through our website, social media and referrals.


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Quinn is a Very Very Good Boy sniffing out $3.25 million worth of street drugs

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

K9 Quinn
The King County Sheriff's Office and Shoreline Police Department have seized more than 250,000 M-30 fentanyl pills, 64 pounds of fentanyl powder and 2 pounds of fentanyl laced cocaine in two recent narcotics operations.

The city of Shoreline Police's Special Emphasis Team (SET) conducted a lengthy investigation that recently led to the successful execution of two narcotics operations in south King County.

They targeted a drug trafficking organization involved in the transportation of illegal narcotics from Mexico to King County, including the city of Shoreline.

Just 2mg of fentanyl is lethal to the average person. 

The amount of fentanyl powder seized alone is enough to harm millions. 

The street value of narcotics from both operations is approximately $3.25 million and included:
  • 64.3 pounds of Fentanyl Powder
  • 253,704 M30 Fentanyl Pills
  • 3.1 pounds of Heroin
  • 1.7 pounds of Cocaine
  • 1.7 pounds of fentanyl laced cocaine.
  • 2.4 pounds of Methamphetamine
  • $32,836 in cash
  • 2 firearms
  • 1 vehicle
Three men were booked into the King County Jail where they remain on bail, in addition to two suspects that are pending charges. 

Shoreline Police stated,
"We are incredibly proud of our detectives, their skills and the tireless work that went into uncovering these illegal activities. None of this would be possible without the help of detectives from Precinct-4 (SW King County) and K9 Quinn. We also thank the assistance of our partner agencies and patrol units."

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South County firefighters rescue two dogs from house fire in Lynnwood

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

South County firefighter administers oxygen to dog rescued from Lynnwood house fire
Photo courtesy South County Fire

South County (Snohomish) firefighters rescued two dogs from a house fire in Lynnwood Tuesday morning, April 16, 2024. 

The homeowner was away when the fire broke out. Neighbors saw smoke coming from the home and called 911.

Firefighters treated one dog with oxygen. Both dogs were reunited with their owner and appeared to be doing well.
 
Crews quickly extinguished the fire and kept it from spreading beyond the kitchen. There was smoke damage throughout the house. No one was injured.

Support 7 responded to assist one displaced resident.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by South County Fire.


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Shoreline Police and K9 Quinn credited in two major drug busts

Sunday, February 18, 2024

K9 Quinn and confiscated drugs and money

On Wednesday, February 7, 2024 King County Sheriff's Office Precinct 4 Special Emphasis Team (SET) wrapped up a narcotics operation aimed at an associate of the Sinaloa Cartel. 

This person was distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine in Index, Shoreline, and several other areas in north King County and Snohomish County.

The operation resulted in 36,900 M-3 Fentanyl pills, 9 pounds Fentanyl power, 6 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.8 pounds of heroin, 2060 MDMA pills, $8,960 cash seized and 1 car seized

One suspect was booked on charges of Investigation VUCSA-WI and VUCSA Conspiracy.

This operation covered a vast geographical area and required hours of surveillance and multiple search warrants. 

We couldn’t have done it without the assistance of multiple KCSO deputies around King County, Shoreline Police Department SET, SeaTac SET, our King County Sheriff's Office Communications Center, and Lake Stevens Police Department.

K9 Quinn poses with drugs and money confiscated in an operation completed in August 2023
Photo courtesy King County Police

Previously, in a successful operation reported by County Executive Dow Constantine on August 9, 2023, Shoreline Police and the King County Sheriff’s Office seized more than $1.2 million in drugs, including 290,000 fentanyl pills and over 9 pounds of fentanyl powder, cocaine, heroin, cash, and stolen firearms.

"Amidst significant staffing shortages and various hurdles, Shoreline Police Department has remained committed to keeping our investigative teams intact," said Shoreline Police Chief Kelly Park. 
"In this particular case, our dedicated detectives worked swiftly and efficiently to gather essential information. Their collaboration with KCSO's SW Precinct detectives proved invaluable, facilitating the prompt and secure retrieval of these deadly narcotics and firearms. 
The diligent efforts of our investigators seamlessly align with the City of Shoreline Council's goals to promote community safety and foster healthy neighborhoods."

One suspect was booked into King County Jail on a firearms violation and multiple counts of violating the Uniformed Controlled Substances Act – Possession with intent.


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Washington State Animal Response Team members practice packing dog in carry litter

Saturday, January 6, 2024

WSART members pack Quinn, a willing participant into a litter
Photo courtesy WSART 

What you don't see in this picture is the wagging tail on the other side as Quinn, one of our member’s dogs, lets us practice with him during a training. 

We often need to pack a dog out in a litter and it's good to practice under good conditions with willing subjects so we can do our best when a dog is in pain.

We generally lay dogs sternal, so all four paws touch the litter along with their chests for comfort. The rolled foam is meant to keep him stable and in place and also keeps the webbing from putting pressure on him. 

The muzzle is standard safety protocol for us. Most dogs are fine, but a dog in pain being handled by a stranger does not behave as it would if it were safe and relaxed.

Though this is a training photo, WASART responds throughout the year to help injured dogs on hiking trails. Be safe and prepared out there, but we are ready to help should you need us.

--Washington State Animal Response Team (WASART) rescues pets and livestock in emergency situations: such as dogs over cliffs, horses in wells. Emergency Phone: 425-681-5498


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Noise-canceling headphones for dogs

Sunday, December 31, 2023

Noise canceling headphones for dogs
I know a lot about cats - from tiny kittens to ferals - but not a lot about dogs. I do know that most dogs react badly to firework explosions and that many react by running. I'll start seeing the lost dog notices on Monday.

I have heard about "thunder shirts" which are supposed to calm canine anxiety - do they really work? But noise cancelling headphones are new to me.

Noise canceling headphones for dogs
A Google search brought up half a dozen brands and styles from what look like old aviator caps to something that looks like high end headphones.

They are sold online and locally in Petco. It seems like they should work, if your dog will tolerate having something on its head.

Here's hoping you have law-abiding neighbors and all the fireworks will be far away from you!

--Diane Hettrick


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If you find an injured or dead animal - call Animal Control

Friday, December 15, 2023

This article is a reprint from 2017

By Paige Garberding

We recently learned through our neighborhood grapevine that a cat matching our missing cat’s description was found dead at the Berean Church, 185th and 1st NE. She had been missing for less than 12 hours.

The pastor found her Friday morning and called Animal Control. Before Animal Control could retrieve her, an unknown person removed her to an unknown location, probably the nearest garbage can, without making any apparent effort to locate her human(s).

Our cat didn't have a collar on but she was chipped and licensed. Had her body been left for Animal Control to pick up, they would have scanned her and notified us.

Had her body not been "disappeared" we could have seen her one last time and possibly determined what befell her. At the very least, we could have brought her home and buried her where she lived and was loved.

So if you find a dead animal with no collar, CALL ANIMAL CONTROL and secure the animal for safekeeping until they arrive. Don't assume it's a stray and don't treat it like garbage even if it does turn out to be a stray.

Consider the possibility that its human doesn't even know it's been killed and is looking for it. If it's injured and you can't find its human, CALL ANIMAL CONTROL* and secure the animal until they arrive. If you're like many of us, you'll take the animal to the closest vet who will scan it for a chip and notify its human(s).

Whatever you do, DON'T throw a dead animal in the garbage! Odds are, that's someone's beloved pet and they'll be heartbroken when they learn their furbaby has died - but even worse is having a beloved pet just disappear without knowing what happened.

This story is a reprint from 2017.

Animal Control Information:

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Off leash dog parks. Who wants them?

Monday, December 11, 2023

Dogs at the Richmond Beach Saltwater Park off-leash area
Photo by Nic Cross

By Pam Cross

Off leash dog parks. Who wants them?

You probably think the dogs want them. You might be wrong. What is wrong with them?

Ask a dog: do you like off leash parks?
  • Reply: Off leash parks are boring.
Granted, not every dog park can compete with Marymoor off-leash park (aka Disneyland for Dogs).
  • Reply: But most off leash parks are boring.
A lot of them are advertised as having views.
  • Reply: What’s a view? And there is nothing to dooo (whining). Nothing to sniff at. No trails to follow. Chase a ball? I don’t chase balls. And if I did, a bunch of other dogs would run after *my* ball and take it away.What happens anyway? You get the ball, bring it back, and they throw it again! In the same place.
So mostly I gang up with other dogs my size and pick on the new guys. Scare the timid dogs. Terrify the smaller dogs. Scrum City!

And my owner/best friend who brought me here? They are leaning against the fence looking at their phone. They didn’t even see me bring down that spotted dog that I didn’t like.

Ask a dog owner

Designing an off leash park doesn’t require adding special agility equipment. Most owners and dogs don’t know how to use it correctly and it largely just sits there unused. 

What even the smallest off leash park needs is a trail - even if it’s just gravel along the fence, where owners can walk with their dog while the dog runs a short distance away to sniff a bush or a large rock or a tree stump, and then comes back to tell its owner about it. 

Small bushes planted in groups in the park will break the line of sight between dogs. They provide a visual barrier to prevent confrontation as well as something of interest for the dogs to explore. Maybe there’s a discarded treat hidden in there. Or a squirrel!

If you look where people take their dogs to play, dogs who chase balls need to go to a plain park with few trees and bushes so they have room to run. The smaller and timid dogs tend to meander and are more interested in looking at different objects. They look at the other dogs to see if they recognize anybody.

Shoreline is buying property throughout the city for the future development of parks. This undeveloped land could easily be converted to temporary off-leash parks with the addition of fencing and a trash can for the doggy bags. 

The dogs will develop the trails as they walk around, and their owners will assist in keeping the foliage down while they walk with their dogs. The city can post a sign that states “This land is for the future development of a park.” 

And in 10 years when funding is available to develop the park, the off-leash use will be discontinued.


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Fire safety tip: Keep family pets out of the kitchen

Friday, December 1, 2023

Photo courtesy Enumclaw Fire Department

In the last couple of months the Enumclaw Fire Department has responded to multiple incidents that were caused by a family pet accidently turning on a burner on the stove.

Two of the incidents caused fires in the kitchen and one caused a natural gas leak.  

Pets being the cause of kitchen fires is more common than you might think - try Googling "dog on stove."

Kitchen safety is not only for humans. Keep pets out of the kitchen while you're cooking and while you are not home.  

Keep combustible materials off of stove tops at all times.

That applies to toddlers, as well, particularly if you have a stove with control knobs above the oven!


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Pop-Up, Paws in the Park! Costumes encouraged - community invited

Thursday, October 12, 2023


Pop-Up, Paws in the Park!

Saturday, October 28, 2023, a pop-up dog park will be at Pfingst Animal Acres Park, 17435 Brookside Blvd NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155, for the furry friends to play off leash. 

This free-family-friendly event is to provide our community a start to their Halloween festivities! 

Costumes for the pets and humans are encouraged but not necessary. Don’t have a pet, still come out and say hi! Activities for the entire family, food trucks, music, community booths, and giveaways will be there for all to enjoy!

This is a good time to make sure your pet is up-to-date on current vaccinations and pet license! Call your local veterinarian to check on their vaccinations and stop by City Hall to purchase or renew a pet license.

Reminder, all welcome to join, having a pet or costume is not a requirement.


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Fierce competition for winners in Parkwood's Best in Shoreline pet show

Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Parkwood winners

The Parkwood Neighborhood Association hosted their first annual "Best in Shoreline" pet show on July 8, 2023 at Twin Ponds Park.

The event was open to all Shoreline residents and kicked off with the neighborhood association Board members serving free ice cream to neighbors.

The pet show drew an impressive crowd of spectators and over twenty dog contestants in six categories. The competition for each category was stiff. The judges awarded ribbons to the following dogs and pet handlers:

  • Most fashionable: Nami/Vinod
  • Best kid pet handler: Ashby/Mathis Christian
  • Best trained: Kira/Stephanie Henry
  • Best trick: Rosie/Nicole Iorio
  • Most free spirited: Juno/Zoe Good-Brummer
  • Most ridiculously good looking: Maia/Zaldy Rogero

Best in Show: Kira with handler Stephanie Henry

After intense deliberation, the judges awarded Best in Show to Kira and their handler Stephanie Henry. 

Maia was a close second and awarded runner up.

Winners in each category received pet prizes/toys, and gift certificates to Doggo Self Wash, located in the Parkwood Shopping Plaza at 152nd and Aurora.

The Parkwood Neighborhood Association would also like to thank the Shoreline Central Animal Hospital for their donation of a flea and tick treatment, collapsible water bowls, and judges for the event. Ice cream and toppings were generously donated by Town and Country Market.

The Parkwood Neighborhood Association would like to thank all participants in this year's pet show and look forward to meeting more neighbors and their pets when they host Best in Shoreline again in 2024.



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Search and Rescue Hero Dog caught first pitch at Seattle Mariners game

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Mariner Moose with Suzanne Elshult, Keb, and Guy Mansfield

On April 3, 2023 at the Seattle Mariners’ home game with Los Angeles Angels, 13-year-old K9 “Keb”, the 2022 American Humane Search and Rescue Hero Dog, caught the ceremonial first pitch of the game!

Keb appeared at the home plate (and on the Big Screen), enjoyed some quality time with the Mariner Moose, and was honored during the Mariners’ “Bark at the Park” program.

K9 Keb has dedicated her life to search and rescue with multiple important finds in the Pacific Northwest. She has searched for the missing and the lost from the mud of the Oso Landslide Disaster to the high slopes of Mount Rainier.

Many of Keb’s adventures are featured in the award-winning bestseller: A Dog’s Devotion: True Adventures of a K9 Search and Rescue Team (Lyons Press, October 2022), written by Keb’s owner Suzanne Elshult, and her search team partner Guy Mansfield.

A Dog’s Devotion is available at local bookstores and online from Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com.

Local authors Suzanne Elshult and Guy Mansfield have been local search and rescue volunteers for over 20 years and have been recognized by state and local agencies for their service.

Suzanne is the Past President of Cascadia Search Dogs and deploys with her two dogs Keb and Kili through Mason County Search and Rescue and the Canine Forensics Foundation.

Guy is Director of the Washington State SAR Planning Unit. Both Suzanne and Guy are members of Everett Mountain Rescue. The authors wrote their book to inspire others and bring attention to the dedication of search and rescue volunteers everywhere. They will be donating a portion of their proceeds to local SAR teams.


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Search and Rescue Hero Dog at Mariner’s “Bark at the Park!

Sunday, March 26, 2023


On April 3, 2023 at the Seattle Mariners’ home game with the Los Angeles Angels, 13-year old K9 Keb, the 2022 American Humane Search and Rescue Hero Dog and star in the award winning bestseller: A Dog’s Devotion: True Adventures of a K9 Search and Rescue Team (Lyons Press 2022), will be honored in the Mariners’ “Bark at the Park” program. 

Keb will appear on the Big Screen, and be on the mound to assist with throwing the first pitch of the game!

K9 Keb has dedicated her life to search and rescue with multiple important finds in the Pacific Northwest. She has searched for the missing and the lost from the mud of the Oso Landslide Disaster to the high slopes of Mount Rainier, bringing answers to questions of the lost and missing.

Edmonds authors of a Dog’s Devotion, Suzanne Elshult and Guy Mansfield, have been local search and rescue volunteers for over 20 years and have been recognized by state and local agencies for their service. 

Suzanne is the Past President of Cascadia Search Dogs and deploys with her two dogs Keb and Kili through the Canine Forensics Foundation and Mason County Search and Rescue and. 

Guy is Director of the Washington State SAR Planning Unit. Both Suzanne and Guy are members of Everett Mountain Rescue. 

The authors wrote their book to bring attention to the dedication of search and rescue volunteers everywhere and inspire others to dream big and find meaningful ways to make a difference. They will be donating a portion of their proceeds to local SAR teams.

Join us at the game to celebrate K9 Keb’s spirit and accomplishments, to support our home team, and to support search and rescue in our community!

A Dog's Devotion is available from Amazon and can be ordered through Third Place Books,  (206) 366-3333.



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Heroes' Café hears from Carol Janssens and Faith about volunteering with Red Cross to aid Hurricane Ian victims

Monday, March 20, 2023

Service dog Faith wearing her 
Heroes' Cafe badge
Photo by Doug Cerretti
By Doug Cerretti

Carol Janssens and her four-legged friend, Faith, are volunteers for the American Red Cross Northwest Region. 

Faith, a Labrador, is trained as a support and therapy dog. They have two areas of expertise. The first is the Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) program which supports military personnel, veterans, and families including monthly visits to Heroes Café in Shoreline and Heroes Café in Lynnwood. 

Their second function is disaster relief: sheltering and reunification of families after fires and natural disasters such as tornadoes, floods and hurricanes. 

Damage around Ft. Myers
Photo courtesy of Carol Janssens
At Heroes Café Shoreline last Tuesday, March 14, 2023 Carol told attendees about their deployment to Florida after Hurricane Ian last fall. 

Hurricane Ian was the third-costliest weather disaster on record and the deadliest hurricane to strike Florida. 

The American Red Cross Northwest Region deployed 27 volunteers including Carol and Faith. 

After landing in Orlando, the team rented cars and drove to Ft. Myers near the center of destruction and joined FEMA in disaster relief.

Carol Janssens and Faith
Photo by Doug Cerretti
The destruction was widespread with 1000s of families in need. Carol served as the Reunification Manager directing 19 team members to help in the reunification of families. 

With power outages and cell towers destroyed communication was impossible except for the phone service Carol’s team had which allowed families to communicate with each other i.e., to let their families know they were safe. 

They also made wellness visits, arranged for doctor visits if needed and acquired needed medicines. 

Carol and Faith stayed in one of three FEMA tents which housed 2000 people. Fortunately, the tents were air conditioned as the temperatures in the Ft. Myers area rose to 90 degrees.

The dining tent fed 2000 aid workers
A fourth tent served as a dining hall and specialized trailers were on site that provided bathrooms with flush toilets (much better than Honey Buckets), showers and laundromats. 

After 2 ½ weeks Carol and her team moved to a hotel once their power was restored. 

Volunteers were given debit cards and encouraged to visit restaurants and stores to help the local economy. Carol and Faith returned home after 4 ½ weeks.

Legion member Fred Cornelius, Jr shared a
photo of his home near Ft. Myers
At the end of Carol’s talk, Shoreline’s American Legion Post 227 member Fred Cornelius, Jr. related that his house and car in North Port, 20 miles from Fr Myers was severely damaged. 

Only now, 6 months after the hurricane was Fred able to get a new roof and is now able to repair the extensive water damage to the interior. 

Mold fills the interior of Fred's home,
a result of 19 inches of rain and no roof.
Photo courtesy Fred Cornelius, Jr.
That happens when you get 19 inches of rain with no roof. Fred said it will take a long time for he and others to recover as there is a scarcity of most everything: contractors, building materials, gasoline and groceries. 

Food trucks make daily visits to his community. Power has not been restored in many areas and several roads are still impassible. Carol said that it will take years for things to get back to normal and for some, it may never get back to normal.

It will take years for Ft. Myers to get back to normal
It should be noted that the vast majority of American Red Cross people like Carol are volunteers. They are not paid except for expenses, whether helping families find housing after a local apartment building fire or traveling 3300 miles to Florida to aid hurricane victims. What a wonderful group of dedicated people!

To help the American Red Cross mission please donate money or, just as important, donate blood as there is a critical shortage. 

BLOOD DRIVE 

The Starr Sutherland, Jr Post 227 of The American Legion, 14521 17th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155, is sponsoring a blood drive from 1 pm to 6 pm Friday, March 24, 2023. You can make your reservations for the Blood Drive using the "Shoreline" sponsor code at www.redcrossblood.org.

Heroes' Cafe Shoreline meets the second Tuesday of every month from 9:00am to 1:00pm at the Seattle Scottish Rite Center, 1207 N 152nd St, Shoreline, WA 98133. Veterans, Family, Friends and the Community are welcome.



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