A Memorial Day Tribute to K9 Heroes

Wolf thanks all veterans.

While we all head off to enjoy Memorial Day whether it is by the beach or in our backyards, and are enjoying a fun-filled time with family and friends as we take in the wafting aromas of food being grilled on the BBQ, let us all pause to reflect upon the true meaning of the day: Memorial Day, a day to remember and honor those - both human and canine - who have fallen in the line of duty to protect our nation. 

The following are some videos honoring the four-legged heroes. (The third video plays automatically. To turn off the sound, just click on "pause" to that video until you are ready to listen to it).

Please click here for a special Police Dog Memorial Service at a special K9 Cemetery.

During World War II, Siberian Huskies were among the breeds used as working war dog soldiers. Buck, a Siberian Husky pictured here, was the U.S. War Dogs Ambassador. He died March 23, 2006. Rest in Peace, Buck.

If you'd like to learn more about Buck and the War Dogs, you can visit Buck's Heroes.  A wonderful book of the same title is what's on the shelves here at FiveSibes. After reading the story, I purchased the autographed book and highly recommend it (this is a personal, non-compensated testimony). Filled with beautiful illustrations, the book's synopsis is:

Book illustration by Tonia Marynell

"On a splendid fall day some thirty years after serving in Vietnam as a dog handler, Johnny Mayo attends a reunion of former handlers and their families at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. He brings with him, Buck, his pet husky of 10 years. Buck accompanies his master to the polished black granite memorial wherein are inscribed the names of the 58,178 men and women who were killed or missing in action. While gazing at the wall by his master's side, Buck begins hearing and seeing the ghosts of the dogs who were participants in the war. His master's two beloved scout dogs along with many others tell Buck what life was like for them and the soldiers they served and protected. Buck and his master leave the memorial with a renewed sense of camaraderie and closure."

Please be sure to visit the U.S. War Dogs Association's K9 Wall of Honor to read about some of the heroes and their handlers, and also to view some memorials visit the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association's K9 Monuments page to read about these magnificent and loyal warriors. And for a great K9 cartoon called Fudge & Friends, check out today's blog entry at Life With Dogs.

                                                                                                       

The Soldier Dog  

by Joe Ferra 

I was trained to use my eyes to

watch and protect you from harm.

My ears to alert you of impending

danger like an alarm.

My keen sense of smell to detect

an enemy close at bay.

Yes I was a soldier who gave my life

so you could fight another day.

So remember me as time goes by

This soldier dog so true.

For I had only one life to give

and I gave that life to you.

From the FiveSibes and I, we thank all of our soldiers and war dogs, and wish everyone a safe and happy Memorial Day.

Cool Time Pool Time!

"Pool!" is a magic word to the FiveSibes! That one little word holds so much meaning and can make five sets of blue eyes grow wider and Sibe smiles spread! So, to give my furkids a break from lounging inside in the A/C during the recent humid days, I pulled out their old pool from last year (we had two, but they chewed holes in one) to let them have some fun cooling off (the water was clear when we started) as we enjoy the Memorial Day weekend and celebrate the Hu-Dad's birthday!

We hope you and your furbabies are enjoying your weekend! If you haven't seen yesterday's blog entry, please be sure to check out the "Patriotic Pets" Photo Contest info, and then pop back over tomorrow for a special canine Memorial Day tribute. 

We hope you and your furkids are having a safe and happy holiday weekend, and are finding fun ways to "keep it cool!"

Announcing a "Patriotic Pets" Photo Contest!

It's "pawty" time again! And what better way to kick-off the Memorial Day weekend?! The FiveSibes had such a fun time with all their furpals at the Cinco de Mayo pet pawty, that they want to do it again! This time, the FiveSibes are gettin' on their red, white & blue in honor of America's Independence Day - July 4th! To celebrate, we are hosting a "Patriotic Pets" Photo Contest, and are looking for all of our furpals, far and near, to join in the festivities by donning some patriotic colored clothing, backgrounds, accessories, etc., then Email the pictures to be: 1) selected for some cool prizes, and 2) be included in a slideshow that will be posted on July 4th along with the names of the winners!

To join in the festivities and enter the contest, all you have to do is:

1. If you're not already, become a follower of the FiveSibes blog and leave me a comment to let me know you are and that you want to be in the photo contest;
2. "Like" the FiveSibes: Siberian Husky K9 News & Reviews Facebook page, and leave a comment there letting me know you are entering the contest; and
3. Follow us on Twitter @FiveSibesMom and let me know you're sending a pic; then
4. Email your pet's photo, his/her/their name, and include a blog or website if you would like. Send pics, with the subject line of "Photo Contest," to FiveSibes(at)gmail(dot)com  by:

12 Midnight EST on June 25th.

Photos will be selected (anonymously) based on creativity, photographic style, visual effectiveness (beauty, cuteness, patriotic colors, etc.) and quality by a volunteer panel of experts, including photographers, artists, graphic designers, and animal experts. Then check back on July 4th to see your furbaby's patriotic pic in the festive slideshow and check to see if your pet's photo won a prize! Winners can then Email me their the address to where they want their prizes sent to. 

Lots of luck to all entrants! What a fun way to spend the holiday together!

The latest pawsome prize is a 

 "Bark-B-Que" gift basket from Pawty Animals! 

 

 

Basket will contain:

A Paw-ty Animals Yappy Meal, including a T-Bone Steak, Sweet Potato Fries, and ready for this...a Bowser Beer! Also some lucky pup will get a dessert, a surprise, and a package of Paw-ty Animal shaped cookies! And a very special offer just for those followers of the FiveSibes blog from Pawty Animals - pretzles AND a Dog Parties book by Arden Moore...all wrapped up in red, white, and blue!

Other top prizes include:

 

"Paw Hide" Game by Kyjen donated by BoycottBoringToys.com (the game was reviewed by the FiveSibes in an earlier blog!)  

An adorable custom designed ornament of your pet from The Magic Sleigh! 

 

Ceramic Canine Treat Jar purchased & donated by FiveSibesMom

And even more prizes...

 

Stuffed Squeaky Cow purchased from Petsmart & donated by FiveSibesMom

 

Small Tiki Chew Toy purchased from Petsmart & donated by FiveSibesMom

Some lucky pups could win a Chew "cupcake," Squeaker ball, Red "fuzzy" bone, Squeaker Stack, or  Snoopy dish, and for feline friends, catnip & a cat toy; donated by FiveSibesMom 

 A package of three patriotic tennis balls! Donated by FiveSibesMom

A human "paw"dicure set for the Grand Prize winner's Hu-Mom, donated by a MaryKay rep

So what are you waiting for? Spread the word to all your friends! Feel free to share the button below on your blog with a link to the URL for this blog entry announcing this contest.

  

Now go call your furkids, get creative, and start clickin' away on some patriotic pet pics!

Oh...and don't forget to send us some pics of your pup enjoying his/her prize!!! We will post here and on the FiveSibes Facebook page!

A Thought Bubble on a Wordless Wednesday

Sunsest Sibes on a Shadow Shot Sunday

As National Police Week Comes to a Close, the K9 Officer is Honored

This week has been a very special week as it was National Police Week, a time for thanking and honoring all members of the police, including the K9 officers. The beautiful tribute to K9 partners pictured here is a creation of Nessie as posted on the Law Enforcement Today Facebook page. The dedication, love, and hard work exhibited by the canine cops each and every day are just amazing. A loyal partner and dedicated officer of the law indeed.

Below is a great documentary, Freedog, highlighting the special bond between police dog and handler by filmaker Stephanie Tabor.

FREEDOG from Stephanie Tabor on Vimeo.

And a round of "a-paws" and thanks also goes out to the Siberian Husky Canine Police Dogs of the Canadian Mounted Police. In the late 1800s, the Canadian Mounted Police used Huskies and Malamutes to conduct their long winter patrols in the North Country, and later in the Arctic regions. By 1898, the police had over 100 dogs. It is written that the Husky dog teams also helped the Mounties keep the law during the wild Gold Rush days.  "On you Huskies!"

While we are so thankful to our Troopers, police officers, and K9 cops for all they do to protect and serve every day, why not take a moment today and "thank a cop," including the four-legged ones! 

"It is not just those with two legs who were born with a soul that has courage to wear the badge" ~Nessie~

Four Paws Up for "Paw Hide" Game!

Chloe asks, "Will you play 'Paw Hide' with me?"

So the FiveSibes were really excited and running around wooing when they found out they were going to be toy testers for Kyjen's site Boycott Boring Toys! We selected the game "Paw Hide," it's a giant plastic paw with compartments you hide treats in and then put the paw-shaped cups over them to hide the treats. The object of the game, of course, is for our furkids to sniff out the treats and figure out the best way to get to that treat! 

This is a great canine game. They were interested in it from the get-go, and it was fun to watch each one go play in a different way. My Sibes range in weight from Gibson, who is 111 pounds to 57-pound Bandit to 49 pound Harley...and all were equally entertained. The toy held up to rigorous chomps, paws, and flips from all of my Huskies. What a really great way to occupy a furkid! If you're thinking about getting your dog a "different" type of toy, this one really tests their intelligence and perseverance, as well as giving them a fun and rewarding time. Plus, it's a hoot for the entire hu-family to watch them play!  

Below is a video (it's about four-and-a-half minutes long) to give you an idea in real time just how much fun they had.

The FiveSibes sure had a pawsome time playing "Paw Hide." 

Sibe Rated: Four Paws Up!

Wordless Wednesday: Muddy Partners in Crime

And the muddy season playoffs have begun!

Sleepy Sibe Siblings on a Shadow Shot Sunday

♥My two boys: Wolf and his big brother Gibson sharing a Sunday snooze!♥

My Brother

--By Unknown

How blessed I am,

How fortunate I've been,

That you are my brother,

And also my friend!

A Call for Helping Two Huskies in Need

Ice is waiting for her new Hu-Mom.

Blind "Skye" has a new Hu-Mom waiting for her!

The FiveSibes are asking all blogger friends to help these two beautiful Huskies, who are in need of reaching their new forever homes, by reaching out to friends and followers to answer the universal call of animal assistance.

There are two beautiful female Siberians – Skye (who is blind) and Ice - who are in desperate need of being rescued from being put to sleep due to extreme overcrowding in the facility they are currently housed in. The fantastic news is that forever homes have been offered to both of these beauties, but the new adoptive Hu-parents need a little help with transporting the gals from the shelter in California. According to the one adoptive Hu-Mom, Nena, “We need a person that could pull both dogs, possible hold, then deliver to Van Nuys, California airport. We are starting to look for cross-country transport and are hoping NOT to have to use a major airline as dogs ride in cargo area.”  ☹

If you, or someone you know can help these two Huskies get a second lease on life and reach their new loving forever homes, please visit this link and let “Nena” know by leaving her note or message on her Facebook page!  Please tell her FiveSibesMom sent you! 

Please "share," "retweet," and "repost" this message!  "Woos" and "Thank Yous" for helping in this rescue effort! And let's all remember, together, we CAN make a difference and make this world a better place for homeless Huskies!

 

Just Gotta Dig a Wordless Wednesday

Happy Mother's Day from the Furkids!

"Happy Mother's Day to woo, Mom!"

A Mother's Day Poem from the Dog

--American Greetings card

 
You feed me when I'm hungry,
You keep water in my dish,
You let me sleep on anything
Or in any place I wish.

You sometimes let me lick your hands,
or even lick your face,
Despite the fact I've licked myself
In every private place.

You taught me how to come when called,
You taught me how to sit,
You always let me go outside,
So I can take a...stroll.

You'll always have my loyalty,
up to the bitter end,
'cause after all, it's plain to see...

You are a dog's best friend!

Happy Mother's Day!

"Awww, thanks, Kids. Love you!" ~Hu-Mom

 The FiveSibes, Smokie the honorary Husky cat, and I hope all you moms (both canine and human) have a wonderful Mother's Day!

The Singing Sibes

Harley singing her heart out!

A few of the "tricks" the FiveSibes have learned include "speak" and "sing." Now, as every Sibe parent can attest to, Siberian Huskies just love to talk. And with a little encouragement and training, they can talk, sing, and howl on request (again and again and again)! Their singing is so part of their charm, and fortunately, I have wonderful neighbors who love to hear our Huskies sing! Here is a little fun movie trailer of "The Singing Sibes" having such a howling good time that we submitted it to Pup Love's "Tricks for Treats" contest. We always love asking them to speak or sing and then enjoy listening to their conversations and songs! We hope you'll enjoy the trailer and a clip of one of their songs! (A Top Ten "with a paw" for sure!) And visit Pup Love's site to view all the video submissions, they are all quite good!

A sample clip with vocals...

It's a Cinco de Mayo Paw Party!

Happy Cinco de Mayo! 

The FiveSibes have been in a festive mood as they have busied themselves with preparations for today's "pawty!" 

Bandit and Harley donned colorful leis as they readied themselves to greet a number of furpals who have been gathering for the festivities. We hope you'll enjoy the Cinco de Mayo Paw Party! Many thanks for joining us...now go fetch some hu-family members and dance your paws off!

"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, 

they pass no criticisms."  

~ George Elliot

A Wordless Wednesday Waiting Wolf

Come Join in the Fiesta: We Want Your Pet's Cinco de Mayo Photos!

 

Will your pet be celebrating Cinco de Mayo this Thursday??? 

If so, send me some photos of your pet(s) all decked out in festive attire, or just your pet  ready to celebrate, along with their name and 
your blog or website's name/URL 

by 8 PM (EST) this Thursday evening, and we will feature them all in a 

fun roundup party slideshow that will be posted on both this blog and the FiveSibes: Siberian Husky K9 News & Reviews Facebook page! 

You can either post your photos to the FiveSibes' Facebook page 

or Email them to me at FiveSibes(at)gmail(dot)com. 

 Spread the word and invite all your furpals to come and join the Fiesta!