I, on behalf of our FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong K9 Epilepsy Awareness Campaign, have some very exciting news to share ~ in partnership with a huge congratulations to a dear friend and fellow Epi-dog hu-mom!    Barbara Drury, whose now furangel Epi-dog, "Manilow B. Magic," fondly called Manilow (yes, he was named after the singer!) was one of the beautiful Epi-stars featured in my book, EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy. He was also featured in my November's Epi-Star Features HERE if you'd like to read all about this amazing dog who did not let epilepsy get in his way of enjoying life. Barbara's original best buddy, the handsome Epi-dog "Manilow" was featured in EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living and Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy, an award-winning large coffee table resource book by me, the FiveSibesMom, Dorothy Wills-Raftery. Manilow was not just Barbara's han...

K9 Epilepsy SpokesHusky Gibson Woooo! That’s Gibson and the FiveSibes and I making a very exciting announcement! Thanks to so many wonderful and caring folks who have purchased my first FiveSibes™ Tale, What’s Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy , we have been able to make our very first donation to Canine Epilepsy Resources Emma’s Fund! We hope to continue selling copies of my children’s book, which contains fun and lively illustrations by the very talented Michelle Littler of Etsy's littletoad so through Gibson’s story and ArcticHouse, I can continue making donations to this very important organization. This is such a big day because as many of you know, I have been an author, writer, photojournalist, photographer, and editor for many years. I established ArcticHousePublishing so I can produce the FiveSibes™ Tales and after the costs of production, I can then make a donation to a worthy cause. For What’s Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy , ...

Epi-Star, Emma       by Dorothy Wills-Raftery    A Tribute to a Special Dalmatian  K9 Epilepsy Awareness Trailblazer   As part of November's Epilepsy Awareness Month , and my series on "Epi-Star" dogs with Epilepsy (Epi-dogs), I want to give a nod to, and talk about, a trailblazing dog that advocated for Epi-dogs. One of the first resource people I came in contact with after my Gibson was diagnosed as an Epi-dog in 2009, was Marion Mitchell and her story of her beloved "Emma," a beautiful Dalmatian that was also an Epi-dog, diagnosed in 1994 at just 15 months of age. Through all the trials and tribulations, medications, and quest for alternative treatments, Emma was able to climb mountains, including a "14,000' mountain" with her family, swim, and go on camping trips.    Marion and Emma showed that dogs with Epilepsy can still enjoy life.     As her hu-mom, Marion, is quoted in her Cybermesa blog dated July4, 1998: " Wonderful ne...