Happy Birthday, Hu-Dad!

For our Hu-Dad...who gives us love and treats, and literally builds a roof over our head so the icky rain doesn't touch our precious Siberian Husky fur when we lounge out on the deck.

 For our Hu-Dad ...who pets us as we take over the living room floor, couch, chairs, bed, everywhere! 

For our Hu-Dad...who never flinches at our vet bills (okay, maybe he winces a bit). 

 For Hu-Dad who...fixes all our messes (we did not chew the deck rails, windowsills, kitchen cabinet corners, bottom of chairs, or the cookbooks - that was Gibbie! - Okay, maybe we three Pupsters had something to do with the windowsills...and maybe the deck rails...and okay, maybe we took a few chomps on the bottom of the chairs...but the cookbooks 

were all Gibson)! 

For our Hu-Dad...who runs out at the midnight hour when Hu-Mom suddenly realizes we may be low on food (sorry, Hu-Mom, but sometimes you do!). 

 For our Hu-Dad who...makes sure the air conditioners are in and up and running way before the hot season so we can keep our royal 

Huskieness cool. 

For our Hu-Dad who...barbeques the very best burgers and always make us one (like today)!   

For our Hu-Dad, who is just the very best...

Happy Birthday wishes and woos! 

We love you!

Harley, FurAngel Gibson, Wolf, Chloe & Bandit

 

Kicking Off Memorial Day Weekend With Pet Safety Tips on #FiveSibes Flashback Friday!

On this special FiveSibes Flashback Friday, I'd like to share this pets' holiday safety tips graphic, featuring my furangel Gibson in a patriotic photo from a few years back, as a reminder so everyone, including our furbabies, can safely enjoy the long holiday weekend.

 Pin me! Tweet me! Share me!

Monday is Memorial Day, a day of remembrance for fallen United States servicemen, women, and canines, who bravely served our country. While it unofficially marks the start of summer in many areas, with family get-togethers, picnics, barbeques, pool time, and more, we can not forget the true meaning of the day and take a few minutes to pay homage to those veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice throughout the years for our country.

 With Special thanks to Phil Weitlauf, U.S. Army Veteran- 1962-1968- Vietnam Era, for this video. (Please note, video may not play on mobile devices).


War Dog Memorial from Paul Pytlowany on Vimeo.

For more information on the U.S. War Dogs, visit the United States War Dog Association HERE.

For so many other K9 soldiers, their handlers, and human soldiers, sadly did not return home. And today, Memorial Day, is a day of reflection, respect, and honor for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy the freedoms we do each and every day. We thank you for your service. 

You will never be forgotten.

 Video via the History Channel (Please note: video may not play on mobile devices).

This Memorial Day weekend post is dedicated to my late Dad, who served with the U.S. Army's "Big Red One" 1st Division, 16th Infantry and his second tour with the Rainbow Division, 42nd Infantry. This photo was taken of him during WWII on base with two of his furpals. His compassion for, and love of, dogs is just part of his legacy.While my dad survived two tours in WWII, we did lose him way too early, just 34 years after his honorary discharge. This Memorial Day, I'd like to remember and honor my Dad for his brave service.

Have a Happy and Safe Memorial Day Weekend!

 Flashback Fridays are brought to you by us - the FiveSibes - and our co-host, Love is being Owned by a Husky, each Friday. We hope you'll find a photo or video from Memory Lane, post it, and link up to our Blog Hop each week! If you don't catch it on Friday, you can link up any time during the week! To catch our past Flashbacks, just enter "Flashback Friday" in the search box.  Come join us! We'd love to see your pets' Flashback pics! Just grab our badge below:

We are also joining in the Pet Parade hosted by Rascal & Rocco, Bionic Basil, our co-host, Owned by a Husky, and Barking from the Bayou! Be sure to visit them and their hoppers!

Wild West Huskies Dress Up for Whitley

Today, we are joining in the Blogville's "Dress Up for Whitley" Day in memory of our sweet furpal. 

Since Whitley loved wearing pretty little dresses her momma made for her, and she loved all things Texas, I thought my FiveSibes Wild Bunch dressed in their Old West duds would be the fitting photo to honor our sweet little furangel friend. 

Whitley, you and your pretty little dresses sure are missed! Please find my sweet boy, Gibson, a/k/a "Marshall Gentleman Gib," send him my love, tell him I miss him, and then you two enjoy a nice round of frosty root beers together, share a burger, and enjoy some paw-tappin' music while giving a spin around the dance floor together, with your skirt twirling!  (Whitley, Gentleman Gib is a great dancer!) 

There sure will be a rootin'-tootin' fun time up at the Rainbow Bridge today, that's for certain!

Here's the rest of our FiveSibes pack in their 

Western party best!

Ride into the sunset, sweet little cowgirl Whitley. Gentleman Gib and so many furpals are waiting, ready to take that great trail ride in the sky 

together, forever.

 "Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learnt something from yesterday."~Inscription on John Wayne's Headstone

 

We are joining Dory's Backyard and many other Blogville folks today in the Dress Up for Whitley blog hop! We hope you'll join in and be sure to hop around and see what other wonderful outfits bloggers are wearing today for sweet Whitley! What a wonderful community Bloggerville is!

Shave a Husky? Don't Do it!

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When the warmer weather arrives, I hear so many folks talking about shaving their Siberian Huskies. When I hear this, I want to hold up that big red STOP sign, and say, "Please, Don't!" 

While you may be hot looking at a Husky with all its fur - especially a wooly - but trust me, it does not bother him or her! Unless specifically for medical reasons (as recommend by your vet), it is never a good idea to shave a Husky. Last summer, after having a conversation with my groomer about shaving Huskies, a double-coated breed of dog, I realized just how popular this idea is with folks, groomers included. I have also had readers send me photos of their dogs that had been shaved ~ without their permission ~ and concerned about the regrowth of their hair. It seems when the thermometer rises, people are tempted to shave their Husky (or northern-breed dog).  Last spring, after Gibson was finished being groomed, I did a photoshoot with him and have now put together the top graphic about why Huskies should never be shaved. It is my hope to help educate others, including first-time and potential Sibe parents, as well as groomers, unfamiliar with the breed, to help stop this all-too-frequent seasonal ritual from occurring! While a Siberian Husky should never be shaved (other than for a medical reason), it is important for your Husky's health to always keep him/her well-groomed and brushed.

Why Shouldn't I Shave My Husky?

*Their double coats serve as insulation from both 

cold AND heat.

*Exposed skin is susceptible to skin allergies, sunburn, and skin cancer.

*A shaved body can more easily allow for bug and 

parasite infestation.

*Shaving the fur can corrupt proper growth.

How Can I Keep My Sibe Cool?

Gib loves the portable spray bottle with mini fan!

*NOT by shaving!

*Keeping your Husky well groomed.

*Turn on A/Cs or fans!

*Put on a cooling collar!

*Buy a cooler water bed! Therapeutic & cool! 

*Swimming, splashing in kiddie pools, and running through sprinklers and chase away the heat!  

*A portable sprayer bottle with a fan is pretty cool!

*Wearing a bandana dipped in cool water is very refreshing!

*Apply cool water to paw pads!

*Go outside in early AM or late PM to beat the heat!

*Walk in shady spots, and beware of hot blacktop & sand!

*Always have fresh, cool drinking water available!

*Never, EVER leave them in a warm car!

 Flashing back several summers to when all FiveSibes enjoyed some splashing in their pools!

So, go ahead and enjoy the warmer weather and let your Siberian Huskies have fun staying cool  
without shaving them!

 Flashback Fridays are brought to you by us - the FiveSibes - each Friday. We hope you'll find a photo or video from Memory Lane, post it, and link up to our Blog Hop each week! If you don't catch it on Friday, you can link up any time during the week! To catch our past Flashbacks, just enter "Flashback Friday" in the search box.  Come join us! We'd love to see your pets' Flashback pics! Just grab our badge below:

(You'll have to screenshot it!)

 

We are also joining in the Pet Parade hosted by Rascal & Rocco, Bionic Basil, our co-host, Owned by a Husky, and Barking from the Bayou! Be sure to visit them and their hoppers!

 

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♥︎ A Very Special Announcement! ♥︎

Newsy Tuesday: Article on Pet Preparedness in American Pet Magazine! Do You Have a Plan?

*New Release* - Check out my ‪article on "Disaster Preparedness: Do You Have a Plan for Your Pets?" that includes pet preparedness information, items for an emergency first aid kit, and some helpful mobile apps. See pages 6-11 in the newest V5, Issue 2 edition! Read it online at American Pet Magazine HERE!

 

Original Love on a FiveSibes Flashback Friday

Today, Harley is showing a photo of "the Originals" of our FiveSibes pack family ~ her and  Gibson from when they were puppies! We are flashing back 10 years to when Gibson joined our family at four months of age, and Harley, the love of his life from first glance, was just over a year old! While this month marks five months since Gibson journeyed North of the Rainbow Bridge, in other ways it seems this photo was just taken only a short while ago. I miss my "married couple" and how they were always together, snuggling. As much as I had a very special bond with Gib, so did Harley. He was so smitten with his beautiful alpha queen. Oh, how precious time is, and it does indeed keep marching on. So keep sharing special moments together, making tomorrow's memories today.

You never know when you're making a memory. Rickie Lee Jones
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/r/rickieleej193159.html

"You never know when you're 

making a memory." 

~Rickie Lee Jones

You never know when you're making a memory. Rickie Lee Jones
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/r/rickieleej193159.html

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For Whitley

I'm dedicating today's blog post to one of our sweet Blogger friends, Whitley Westie, who just recently made her journey to the Rainbow Bridge, or, as Whitley wrote, the "Land of Infinite Bacon, Smashed Taters, and Eggie Weggies." We sure are going to miss this beautiful little gal and all of her pretty little dresses made with love by her hu-mom. I asked Gibbie to keep an eye out for this sweet lass and take her under his big fluffy paw and show her all of the great places to play and swim, especially since they both loved to be poolside. Whitley, thanks for being our friend. We sure are going to miss you.

Flashback Fridays are brought to you by us - the FiveSibes - and our co-host, Love is being Owned by a Husky, each Friday. We hope you'll find a photo or video from Memory Lane, post it, and link up to our Blog Hop each week! If you don't catch it on Friday, you can link up any time during the week! To catch our past Flashbacks, just enter "Flashback Friday" in the search box.  Come join us! We'd love to see your pets' Flashback pics! Just grab our badge below:

We are also joining in the Pet Parade hosted by Rascal & Rocco, Bionic Basil, our co-host, Owned by a Husky, and Barking from the Bayou! Be sure to visit them and their hoppers!

Ode to All Moms: Happy Mother's Day!

Today marks my first Mother's Day without my beloved Mom and my boy Gibson. My heart is heavy with their loss, and just one month apart. This month marks six months--a half of a year--that my mother has been gone. Five months since Gibson earned his silver wings. And today is the date my father passed away, 42 years ago. Time stops for no one, yet leaves us in such a surreal state. They will always be in my heart and in my memories, and I'm so thankful for having them in my life. I am also very blessed to be a mom to a wonderful, caring, beautiful daughter who makes every day a gift with her joy and love! I am also happy to be the FiveSibesMom, and for my four remaining Sibes who continue to share their Husky love and make me smile, even though we all feel Gibson's absence.

Grieving is a strange companion. Such an emptiness where

loved ones who have left should be...yet, happiness for all the blessings still remaining in our lives. There are many kinds of mothers out there - moms, moms-to-be, adoptive moms, foster moms, moms in Heaven, moms of angels, stepmoms, you-are-like-a-moms, moms-in-law, and pet moms.  Today, is a day to rejoice that we are moms ourselves, and to cherish, spoil, thank, remember, and pray for all moms, worldwide for a mother's love is everlasting.

My gift - my beautiful, kind daughter, co-Husky mom & very best friend.

 My Mom loved to go down by the water and feed the seagulls at the beach.We used to freeze our leftover bread during the week to take down with us, and a local sandwich shop saved us their leftover rolls. The seagulls would have a feast and my Mom had so much fun. Growing up, we spent summers at the shore. The seagulls and waves brought us back to those sweet earlier days of my childhood my Mom and I spent at the ocean with my grandmother, aunt, and two cousins. Listening to my Mom laugh in this video brings me right back to that particular Mother's Day five years ago, and I smile. This was our special thing to do, and it brought her so much joy. And I really think the gulls knew when she was there! If I close my eyes, it's as though we were just there, together.

 

I love and miss you, Momma.

"A mother's love is like an everlasting bed of roses that continues to blossom. A mother's love bears strength, comfort, healing, and warmth. Her beauty is compared to a sunny day that shines upon each rose petal and inspires hope." ~Ellen J. Barrier

From me, the FiveSibesMom! 

Flashback Friday: Huskies Take Manhattan!

Photographic rendering.

Gibson Over Manhattan

Today's Flashback Friday dates back to 2012, when my photographs were selected to be part of the Creative Rising See.Me digital art exhibit in New York City. I was contacted after the show with a special announcement that one of my photographs would join other photographers and artists from around the globe in a skycraper show in Manhattan - my photo of Gibson was shown at 11:32 PM on Saturday, October 5, 2012!

 

Photo courtesy of See.Me

Times Square Skyscraper Gibson Adorned.

This was my See.Me artist statement:

I am a photojournalist, author, blogger, and parent to one daughter and five Siberian Huskies. I have been a photographer and animal lover for almost my whole life! Through my photos, I love to not only tell stories, but capture a mood; a moment in the life of my Huskies (known as the FiveSibes™), one of which was diagnosed with Canine Epilepsy in 2009. Their innocence, devotion, and essence of happiness is so pure and amazing to witness each day. They have added so much joy and dimension to our lives, and photographing them is pure enjoyment for me and my way of eternally honoring them and their breed, while also promoting and supporting Canine Epilepsy Awareness. It is my hope that when people look at my photographs, they will smile and think, 

"Wow, life is beautiful."

This was definitely one of the amazing and defining moments in my career, and in my life. I'm so honored my FiveSibes lit up the digital screens at the art exhibit, and that it was my portrait of my boy, Gibson, soaked in melting snow, that represented not only my work as a photographer, but it represented the magnificent breed of the Siberian Husky, and together we showed the world the face of Canine Epilepsy is a beautiful one. For one brief moment in time, five Siberian Huskies, known as the FiveSibes, showed the world their beauty, and a wooly Siberian Husky named Gibson took over the Big Apple! Woo! 

 #LiveGibStrongForever

 

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Flashback Fridays are brought to you by us - the FiveSibes - and our co-host, Love is being Owned by a Husky, each Friday. We hope you'll find a photo or video from Memory Lane, post it, and link up to our Blog Hop each week! If you don't catch it on Friday, you can link up any time during the week! To catch our past Flashbacks, just enter "Flashback Friday" in the search box.  Come join us! We'd love to see your pets' Flashback pics! Just grab our badge below:

We are also joining in the Pet Parade hosted by Rascal & Rocco, Bionic Basil, our co-host, Owned by a Husky, and Barking from the Bayou! Be sure to visit them and their hoppers!