Best of 2008: Pets

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 Lien Animal Clinic
(West Seattle, 3710 SW Alaska St.; 206.932.1133)
With this year’s early retirement of Next to Nature’s gigantic store cat, Moses, the award goes to Flower, a sweet-natured tortie of a certain age, who hangs out on the counter at Lien. She’s unflappable amidst all the barking and yowling, and will purr on command for a wee chin rub.

Best Place to Get Ice Cream for Your Pooch
Three Dog Bakery
(Downtown, 1418 First Ave.; 206.364. 9999)
Seattle has a spate of new ice cream shops for people, but when it comes to local frozen treats for pups, there’s just one place to turn: Three Dog Bakery. Its Lickety Splits ($1.50), made of low-fat yogurt, honey, buttermilk and whey protein, are a hit with the canine customers; plus, they don’t melt, so the pooches can savor them as long as they’d like (as if they’ll last more than a nanosecond).