Today I am remembering
my dear Mom and my sweet furangel Gibson, who I am so thankful I had in my life. Gibson will always hold a very special place in my heart. I sorely miss his presence every single day with his larger-than-life personality, his deep soulfulness, his loving connection to me, and his flare for the comedic. Above is one of my favorite photos from a Thanksgiving several years back when I placed the platter of stuffing on the window sill to cool off. This is the first Thanksgiving he is at the Rainbow Bridge, and may
he and my Mom be together and know how much they are forever loved and missed.
I'm so very thankful for so many things. For my family, whom I love dearly. My husband, whose love I can count on and he is always there for me and our family. For my daughter, my very best friend and constant support and confidante. For my first grandson she is carrying, who is due any time now. For my son-in-law for his caring and humor. For my now angel mother, my biggest cheerleader who was so supportive and loving throughout my entire life. My wonderful FiveSibes: Harley, furangel Gibson, Wolf, Chloe, and Bandit, who fill our lives with joy and companionship. For our sweet adopted feral kitty Binx. For good health. For the gift of writing. For a creative eye in which to view the beauty of the world in which we live. For having wonderful friends. As many of you know last year was an especially tough year for me, devastating really. I lost my beloved mother on November 15th, then my wooly boy, Gibson, a month later on December 16th. When Gibson suddenly fell ill, Ann of Zoolatry created a special badge as a pawcircle of prayer for him, and when he passed, yet another badge (above) to honor my sweet boy. I still do not even know how she knew, but she's an angel. How do I say "thank you" to each and every one of you amazing friends in this wonderful placed called Blogville for all the caring thoughts, prayers, comments, and notes you sent to me during and after Gibson earned his wings? I'm still reading them...and they have touched my heart forever so. Thank you, thank you, dear Blogville friends! Wishing you all many blessings and much happiness in the year ahead.
We hope you all had a very wonderful Thanksgiving!
“If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you
will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a
feeling that nurtures the soul.”
~ Harold Kushner
I'm taking Friday off to be with family, so please enjoy our Thanksgiving Day wrap-up post here featuring my Flashback Friday Thanksgiving photo of Harley, Chloe, and Gibson above! And if you are doing some Black Friday holiday shopping, be sure to read my #ShopSmall Saturday post HEREto support small businesses, and see the specials on my books for the readers on your holiday gift list!
The
Flashback Friday Blog Hop is brought to you by us - the FiveSibes! We welcome our co-host Love is
being Owned by a Husky! We hope you'll find a photo or video from Memory
Lane, post it, and link up to our Blog Hop each Friday! 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 Dory's Backyard "Thanks Blogville" Blog Hop!
This holiday season, think #ShopSmall, and support small businesses and companies! We all know Black Friday and Cyber Monday are fast approaching to kick off the seasonal shopping, but did you know this Saturday, November 26, is "Small Business Saturday" and another great time to do some shopping and support small businesses and hometown companies?!
I'm very proud of ArcticHouse Publishing, my small home-based-in-the-USA publishing company with a focus on canines and canine healthcare. Here at ArcticHouse, the goal is to help the author who wants to self-publish have a one-stop-shop to create a professional, high-quality book from the cover to the paper stock, editing and proofing,obtaining ISBN and copyright registrations, use of fonts,layout and design, proofing, and printing. Each book is designed with loveand attention to detail. All books I work on are carefully edited, designed, and created with the utmost care and printed through my chosen local community printer. Only one book at a time receives my full, undivided attention! With 35+ years in the writing, editing, and publishing field, 19 of those years in the educational sector, I proudly work with a select handful of very talented freelance graphic artists, editors, and designers, who all work and reside in the United States - some even right here in my own beautiful hometown region in the Hudson Valley, New York! And, each one of my own personal books that have been published helps educate others about canines and Canine Epilepsy, as well as having a small donation from each book sale go toward helping dogs in need.
Woo! We love books!
Books are wonderful presents! So this holiday season, when you are going over your gift-giving list, think about one of my books published through my ArcticHouse Publishing, and know you are helping to support a (very) small independently owned and operated business, with donations from my own books, post-production costs, going to help dogs in need. Each of my books has already seen donations go to the designated rescue, fund, or organization! Even though small in size, that is such a thrill! And it could not have been done without, you, my wonderful FiveSibes readers and listeners who purchase the books! And...when you order one of my books, you can be confident that each one is personally hand-packed and shipped by me with care!
What Books to Buy?
EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy
Donation made via #FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong Campaign to: Canine Epilepsy Resources/Epil-K9 Foundation's "Emma's Seizure Fund" Through the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine
What's Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy (A FiveSibes™ Tale)
Donation
made via #FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong Campaign to: Canine Epilepsy
Resources/Epil-K9 Foundation's "Emma's Seizure Fund" Through the North
Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine
A portion of sales is donated to Mama Shay's "Buddy's Buddies" Fund to help with Buddy's ongoing healthcare and other foster dogs in need through the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.
with each order placed for EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy starting on Shop Small Saturday, November 26, 2016 until 11:59 PM EST on December 15, 2016!
*FREE* red "I Love My Siberian Husky" Drink Koozie with each order of Buddy, the Christmas Husky~A True Holiday Miracle book by 11:59 PM EST December 15, 2016.
This Flashback Friday is an exciting one! As many of you know, one of the books I've written is based on the true story of a sick, abused and abandoned Siberian Husky who was rescued on Christmas morning back in 2011 as he wandered out onto a road and right into the path of oncoming traffic. He was dubbed "The Christmas Husky" because it was on Christmas Day and through the help of a Good Samaritan named Geneva, this boy (who was named Buddy), was quite literally saved and, with the help of online "Team Buddy," embarked upon a new journey that brought him to his foster mom states away and filled his life with much hope, love, and happiness from across the world, that still continues to this very day!
His is a tale for all time, not just Christmas time! You can catch up with Buddy over on his Buddy, the Christmas Husky Facebook page! Be sure to tell him the FiveSibes sent you! And, of course, you can read my book all about his life from abuse and abandonment to rescue and love, Buddy, the Christmas Husky~A True Holiday Miracle, illustrated by mydear friend and very talented artist, Barbara K. Slocum.
My ArcticHouse Publishing Book Team: Editor Judy, Illustrator/Designer Barbara & Author/Editor Me!
Today, I'm flashing back to this past August, when I met handsome Buddy and his Mama Shay,when they drove up from Georgia and we did a fun Meet & Greet Book Signing event in New Paltz, NY! Buddy was every bit the star! For a once abused and abandoned dog who was shunned and frightened of people, Buddy is now every bit the social butterfly, and he thoroughly loved meeting people, receiving lots of hugs, posing for photos, and getting treats!
Our dog-friendly venue - The Parish
Me and my little pal, Carter, Buddy's #1 NY fan!
Had a great time making friends and signing books!
Buddy and his foster Mama Shay embarked upon their road trip a few days earlier with car mate, "Nala," another Siberian Husky Mama Shay was fostering who met her new forever mom, Susan, along the way and together the foursome traveled to New York. (Afterward, Nala and Susan would continue on home to Massachusetts).Since they were on their way up the East Coast, Mama Shay and I thought it would be wonderful to get together and meet some Buddy fans from New York! Matthew Sweeney, owner of the awesome dog-friendly restaurant called The Parish located in the Water Street Market area of New Paltz, NY, hosted the event. While it was a very hot day, one of the hottest here in the Valley this summer - 101°F! - Matthew Sweeney, owner of The Parish treated the dogs to plenty of cool, fresh water and air condition! Folks came from many miles and states away to join us, and it was truly a fun day!
The Grand Husky Entrance!
Roo! The Christmas Husky Star has arrived!
Buddy with Matt, owner of The Parish, and friends!
With an outdoor deck that overlooked the beautiful Shawangunk mountain ridge, it was a beautiful spot to get together, eat lunch, meet terrific people and some even brought their own dogs, too! Holly, from Holly and the Huskies blog, traveled well over five hours with her dad and two of her Huskies, Bree and Chip,just to come join us for a few hours!
And the folks from Husky House Siberian Husky & Fellow K-9 Rescuefrom New Jersey came, too! It was great to meet them! (They were guests on my October episode of "The Sibe Vibe" Dog Works Radio show! Tune in any time on iTunes or HERE).
The Meet & Greet Book Signing also had delicious home-baked canine treats catered by Paws of Distinction Pet Boutique, a cool shop that carries a whole assortment of fresh-baked treats and cakes, as well as foods, clothes, art, and much more! The shop welcomes furry visitors, and is also located in the Water Street Market, downstairs from The Parish.
Buddy and Nala Funny Strip!
Buddy liked the smells in the pet boutique!
Buddy & FiveSibes Moms!
This day was most definitely a highlight of the summer for me! Now, secret be told...if I could have managed to sneak both Buddy and Nala into my Jeep without their Moms noticing, I'd have two more Huskies in my pack! (wink-wink!)
A great ending to a great day ~ tired, but happy Huskies!
Here's a video slideshow story about Buddy, his road trip, andfeaturing more photos from the Siberific day:
I'd like to thank everyone who braved the hot weather to come out and hang out with us! It was so much fun. Also many thanks to our fantastic host, Matthew, and his wonderful staff for their hospitality and giving the Huskies a cool place to chill (literally);to the ladies from Paws of Distinction for the canine catering; and to my two dearest friends for all their support and photographing the day, Linda and Judy! Also big hugs to Buddy and his Mama Shay and Susan and Nala for taking this trip, to my very talented illustrator, Barbara, and to everyone who fosters and rescues dogs, like Buddy and Nala!
As a special holiday gift, Mama Shay is giving out a FREE red drink koozie, like the Wolf has above, with every Buddy, the Christmas Husky~A True Holiday Miracle book purchased between now and December 15th! Visit HERE to order your book and get your free gift! Or you can order through my Amazon affiliate link:
A portion of proceeds will be donated to Mama Shay's "Buddy's Buddies" fund to assist withBuddy's continued healthcare at University of Georgia (UGA) College of Veterinary Medicine, and when Buddy's bill is up-to-date, she donates to help other pets at UGA who need assistance.
The
Flashback Friday Blog Hop is brought to you by us - the FiveSibes! We welcome our co-host Love is
being Owned by a Husky! We hope you'll find a photo or video from Memory
Lane, post it, and link up to our Blog Hop each Friday! 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:
BANDIT: January 19, 2008 ~ October 24, 2020 "Run ,Bee, Run, As Fast As You Can!"
Goodbye to our Alpha Queen Harley. We will love you forever.
Thank you to Ann of Zoolatry for this beautiful graphic.
Run Free, Beloved Harley, Mother & Alpha Queen of FiveSibes Huskies
HARLEY: 3/10/05~9/13/19 We Will Love & Miss You Forever, Our Beautiful Momma Har
I'll Love You Forever, My Sweet FurAngel Gibson
GIBSON 1/6/06`12/16/15 "I'm coming home I'm coming home Tell the world I'm coming home..." ~Skylar Gray
#FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong #LiveGibStrongForever
Love you sweet CoCo
CHLOE 1/19/08 6/22/19 “A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~Josh Billings
#LiveGibStrong Forever
1/6/06 ~ 12/16/15 * I Will Love You For Eternity, My Sweet Boy. Thank You, Zoolatry, for this beautiful badge.
Rest Now, Sweet Chloe.
1/19/08`6/22/19 ~ Find Your Big BrMay It Be Raining Treats North of the Rainbow Bridge For You. Thank you, Zoolatry, for this beautiful memoriial.
Our Dear Chelsey ~ RIP 2007
Run free over the Rainbow Bridge, our dear Chelsey
Run Free, Sandy
Our first dog as a married couple. RIP June 15, 1994
FiveSibes Official Purple Day® Ambassador
FOR K9 EPILEPSY POSTS, CLICK GIB'S PHOTO
Rainbow Bridge FurFamily & Friends
*****
FiveSibes are Pawticipated!
Pet Photographers of America Alliance Member
We Support P2P!
Did you know that humans and pets are both susceptible to nearly 400 diseases in common? Save pets and humans through Comparative Studies Research in Cancer and other Catastrophic Diseases.
We pledge!
1Award UK "Best on the Web" Copper Award
1Award UK "Best on the Web" Copper Award Recipient 2017
1Award UK "Best on the Web" Copper Award Recipient 2016
1Award UK Copper "Best on the Web" Award Recipient 2015
1Award UK "Best on the Web" Copper Award Recipient 2014
1Award UK "Best on the Web" Copper Award Recipient 2013
1Award UK "Best on the Web" copper award recipient 2012
1Award UK "Best on the Web" Copper Award Recipient 2011
Thank you to our loyal followers!
BOOK RELEASE! Host a Stop On Your Blog!
% of Proceeds Will Benefit Save Our Siberians Siberspace Rescue Fund!
"Live Gib Strong" K-9 Epilepsy Awareness Campaign
A Great Book for Teaching Children About Canine Epilepsy
Portion of Proceeds Benefits Canine Epilepsy Resources Epil-K9 Foundation
We Are Proud to be a...
Some of the FiveSibes Fave Items! Click on Item to Order Through Amazon!
Safey Information Week-Pet Fire Safety Post
Safety Info Week: Pet Fire Safety
We Were Named "BLOG OF THE WEEK" on the Las Vegas "Hot Diggity Dog Show!"
Join the Blog Book Tour! % of Proceeds Donated to Canine Epilepsy Resources. Order Your Copy Today!
K9 Eplilepsy Info & Epi-Dogs From Across the World Video
We are part of TEAM EPILEPSY
Project: Purple
My Epi-Dog Gibson, Our K-9 Epilepsy SpokesHusky, and his Journey with Canine Epilepsy
Celebrating our alpha queen, Harley, as we prepare for her journey...
Many thanks to Ann of Zoolatry for this beautiful badge.
#Pawcircle of Prayers for Gibson
Thank You, Zoolatry, for this beautiful bagde.
Thinking of Thunder
We're a featured "Pet Family Parent" in the Winter Edition!
Check out our interview with Marshal Zeringue!
We Joined Sarge's Water Mania Event!
BLOG BOOK RELEASE TOUR STOPS!
Be sure to stop by these pawsome blogs hosting our Book Tour!
THE CHRONICLE OF WOOS;
BAILEY BE GOOD!
PEGGY'S PET PLACE;
SIBERIAN NATION;
CANINE EPILEPSY RESOURCES CENTER;
GIMPY DOGS;
DON'T MESS WITH MY TUTU;
MUSHING RADIO/DOG WORKS MEDIA;
ARWEN'S PACK;
TAILS OF THE HUSKY HEROES (ALLEY'S RESCUED SIBERIAN HUSKY ANGELS;
TAILS OF THE TUNDRA SIBERIAN HUSKY RESCUE;
BITES AND TALES (A HUSKY LIFE);
RUMPYDOG
Welcome to the FiveSibes blog! At our home, we are the proud parents to five beautiful, lovable, energetic full-blooded Siberian Huskies whom we fondly refer to as "the kids!" Out of the five, four are siblings, three of them littermates! We also have an "Honorary Husky Cat" who adopted us, and most recently, she brought home another furpal, a feral kitten who has now adopted us, too! These furbabies are truly are a part of our family and we love them so! Through this blog, you will get to meet each one of them and share in a laugh or a cry at their fun-loving, crazy, wacky, and sometimes worrisome antics.
I first began the idea of creating a FiveSibes blog quite awhile ago when one of our Sibes, my wooly boy, Gibson, developed seizures shortly after his third birthday. When I began writing my journal of his medical journey, I had started posting entries on other social media as a way of connecting to others who also experienced the same with their dogs. Through this medium, I was able to connect with some pretty terrific dog-loving folks, both owners of Sibes, as well as other breeds,who I am happy to now call my friends.
My intention for this blog is to write about "a day in the life of" the FiveSibes, bringing thoughts, ideas, photos, tips, and discoveries to the forefront of discussion about the wonderful breed, as well as all things canine with others who share the same passion and love for their furbabies as we do.
We also hope to help spread the word that there are so many abandoned and homeless Sibes out there who could use a loving home. Too many times folks bring home a Husky simply for their beauty, but do not do the research to understand the breed and its needs and then turn the dog into a shelter when they can't/won't care for it anymore. Please visit the Sibe rescues listed on this site if you are considering bringing a Siberian Husky into your home. There are so many beautiful furbabies just waiting for a loving, forever home. Maybe yours could be one!
Let's make this forum a nice, comfy, polite place for everyone to visit--bring along your darling dog (or dogs), pull up a chair, have a cup of coffee, and let's talk canine!
Notice: All photos, text, and video are exclusive property of the photographer/writer/blog owner and protected by Copyright. No portion of any photo or text can be copied, duplicated, used, or distributed without written permission from the photographer/writer/blog owner.