You can’t have a Thanksgiving feast without a traditional pumpkin pie — and The Soggy Doggy is ensuring your pets have a taste, too.

“They’re kind of a family tradition for people,” said The Soggy Doggy co-owner David Goretski. “You have the family get-together and you have your pie and then you bring out a pie for the dog. It just livens the whole atmosphere.”

The Soggy Doggy is a family business, operated by co-owners David Goretski and his wife Heather, and his parents Carl and Fran. The dog wash, bakery and pet store has been a one-stop shop in business since 2002.

Along with self-service washing stations, grooming services, and pet care items, the local business with a store in Federal Way also offers homemade treats that are both safe and healthy for pets.

The homemade pumpkin pies have been a popular delight since the company’s opening 17 years ago.

The limited edition pies are only available for Thanksgiving and Christmas each year. Last year the business sold more than 250 pies for Thanksgiving, and typically makes 500 pies throughout the holiday season.

The family buys, or grows, their own fresh pumpkins for the holiday pies. The pumpkins are then baked, grinded down and combined with low-fat evaporated milk, eggs, honey, pumpkin pie spices, and flour to make the holiday treats. The Soggy Doggy also offers pumpkin pies without crusts for pups who may be wheat or gluten intolerant.

“This has been trial and error,” Fran Goretski said with a smile. “Finally I’ve got to the point where I know when it’s going to work or it’s not going to work as far as the recipes go.”

Fran and Carl Goretski make all of the pumpkin pies in the comfort of their own kitchen.

Year-round bakery treats include cookies (Paw Lick’n Chicken, Pea’mutt’ Butter Biscuits, and Grrrlick and Cheese Biscuits), Carob brownies, and blueberry muffins in various sizes, including mini muffins for smaller dogs.

Fran Goretski also makes custom bone-shaped birthday brownies, complete with peanut butter frosting and a special message for your dog’s special day.

The doggy pumpkin pies ($4.99 per pie) make perfect holiday gifts for neighbor dogs or your own four-legged friend, David Goretski said. Many people in the community anxiously wait for the pies each winter season.

Orders for pie pick-ups around Christmas can be made via phone, email, or at any of The Soggy Doggy’s four locations in Federal Way, Kent, Normandy Park, and University Place. The orders allow for pies to be made and delivered fresh.

“Then we bring them in fresh for them the day they want to pick them up,” David Goretski said. “Some people want to have it for the actual holiday, some people want to have it for a party they’re going to. So we can accommodate [everyone].”

Yes, all of The Soggy Doggy treats are safe for humans to eat too, although the taste may not fit your palate, the pair agreed.

Doggy pumpkin pies can be topped with yogurt, or The Soggy Doggy gelato for final tastebud touches.

“I just think it’s fun for them,” Fran Goretski said. “They have become part of that family and life would not be the same without that dog.”

The pies also provide a moment of levity amid a day when family tensions could rise.

“You guys have talked about everything you’re going to talk about, at the end of the night, you’re finally having your pie. Conversations kind of waning a bit,” he explained. “You bring out the pie for the dog … that’s going to bring things right back up.”

The Soggy Doggy’s mission through all of their offerings is to improve owners relationships with their pets, which starts with a simple bath.

“Having this opportunity for the dogs to get clean, you’re really improving people’s relationships with their pets,” he said. “A clean dog gets more attention. A dog that gets more attention gets to do more with its owner …”

After Thanksgiving, Santa Paws is coming to The Soggy Doggy Saturday, Nov. 30. Bring the whole family and get this year’s Christmas card photo or opt for a solo shot of your pup with Santa. Owners must bring their own camera and while no purchase is necessary, this year The Soggy Doggy is collecting donations for Old Dog Haven, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of geriatric or “senior” dogs.

Photos with Santa Paws at the Federal Way location is from 1-4 p.m. Nov. 30; in Kent from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1; in Normandy Park 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8; and at the University Place location from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.

“I like the idea of doing something for your pet,” David Goretski said. “We have to be thankful for them as well.”

Holiday hours

Thanksgiving Week, The Soggy Doggy is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 25-27, and is closed both Thanksgiving and the day after, Nov. 28-29.

In December, the stores are open week of Christmas from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (4 p.m. Christmas Eve), with closures Dec. 25-26.

The Soggy Doggy is closed New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

The Soggy Doggy Federal Way is located at 1606 SW Dash Point Road. For more information, visit thesoggydoggy.com.