Dear Gibson: A Letter From Hu-Mom, With Love

Dear Gibson, 

A year ago today, you physically left me and your #FiveSibes family to become a furangel. God must have needed a very special Husky because he called you north of the Rainbow Bridge, my sweet Gibson. I love you and miss you every single moment...you are forever in my heart and with your spirit walking by my side, we will continue inspiring others to love an #Epidog, and to help all dogs in need. Enjoy the forever snow, my sweet Gibbie. 

~Love you for always, 

Hu-Mom  

 

This is a very special Flashback Friday as it is also the first anniversary of  my dear, sweet, fluffy boy Gibson’s journey to north of The Rainbow Bridge. It’s so surreal to me that a whole year has passed and my boy is no longer physically here by my side. Gibson was my heart dog. My fluffy buddy boy. My spirit guide. My Epi-dog champion. My inspiration. He has truly left a huge polar bear pawprint of his on my heart for eternity.

I wanted to do a memorial video about him…but, honestly, my heart isn’t ready yet. It still hurts very deeply to not have him here. His deep, soulful eyes, his understanding everything I ever said to him, asked of him. We had such a connection. While I do share photos of him and memories and have continued our advocacy for awareness for dogs with Canine Epilepsy, to go through his lifetime of photos from when he first came home with me at four months up until his passing shortly before Christmas last year, just 21 days before his 10^th birthday is still just too painful. I will—one day…

But in the mean time, because of how much he inspired others with his journey with Canine Epilepsy, instead, today I’m celebrating his life and my thankfulness for having the honor of being his hu-mom.  While he was a special needs dog, he was such a special dog to me.

In his name, our #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Awareness

-->campaign is still going strong, bringing information, education, and hope to others who  share their lives with Epi-dogs. In honor of Gibson's life, I've been thrilled to be working with artist Cameo Anderson on a very special project in his name to hopefully help others with Epi-dogs that I am very excited to be unveiling it in the near future! So stay tuned!

I’m so thankful to all the publishers, media, fellow bloggers, family, and friends who continue to share our story and help inspire someone to care for an Epi-dog, give an Epi-dog a home, and to not fear a dog who has seizures. It is my hope that one day there will be a cure for epilepsy, and that all Epi-dogs may #LiveGibStrong.

Instead of a memorial video, I'd like to remember Gibson doing what he did best...loving life!


He could always be found alongside his true love, Harley.

A week before he earned his silver harness, Gibson had been feeling the best he had in quite a while. He had injured his already weak hind end (a side effect of the epilepsy medications) when he slipped the year before on ice hidden under snow. We had been slowly rehabbing all year and documented his healing. This video I had created and my heart still fills with such pride and happiness to see him running once again. There was no stopping this incredible boy!

 And, wow, that boy could dance!

 He even did a stint in politics (and had a great platform)!

  Oh, and how he loved his Gibbie Snacks, named after him and formulated for the Epi-dog by House Woof Dog Biscuits!

He bravely faced and fought all the challenges that came his way in true, inspirational, warrior Gibbie form!

And today...Gibson sent me a gift...a sign he is indeed right by my side...this morning, while feeding the other FiveSibes their breakfast, he once again appeared in rays of rainbow light! This happened one other time, on his 10th birthday, the first one after he made his final journey north just 21 days earlier. I quickly snapped this photo, as the rainbows appeared right where his little bro, Wolf, was standing! My Gibbie, my special heart dog, showing we will be connected for always. 

Many thanks to my very sweet and thoughtful daughter, son-in-law, and new grandson for this very beautiful and thoughtful bouquet in honor of my sweet, fluffy buddy, Gibson.

The FiveSibes Flashback Friday Blog Hop is brought to you by us, the FiveSibes, and our co-host Love is Being Owned by a Husky! We hope you'll find a photo or video from Memory Lane of your pet, post it, and link up to our Blog Hop each Friday! If you don't catch us on Friday, you can link up any time during the week! To see our past Flashbacks, just enter "Flashback Friday" in the search box at the top of the blog. 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,, Owned by a Husky, and Barking from the Bayou! Be sure to visit them and their hoppers! 

Fond Memories of Christmas Past on a #FiveSibes Flashback Friday!

Christmastime has always been a favorite, special, and fun time of year for my family; from my childhood home to the present. The FiveSibes have always added so much happiness and laughter to our lives, and they have enjoyed Christmas just as much as we have! I am so thankful for all the memories. In this video from Christmas 2013, my boys Gibson and Wolf kept me company while wrapping presents under the tree. And, as you can see, Wolf the forever sleepyhead was busy snoozing while big brother Gibson was my silly Elf, "helping" me wrap!  They always pick up on the excitement as THE day draws near...enjoying the decorating, getting and sending cards, and eating doggie treats while we baked. And to this day, laying under the tree and gazing at the twinkling lights is still a favorite past time of theirs...and one I love to watch as it reminds of all the love, peace, warmth, and joy this season is really about.

"We'll cherish those moments 

for the rest of our lives." 

~Pam Beery

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 the Pet Parade, hosted by Rascal & Rocco, Bionic Basil,, Owned by a Husky, and Barking from the Bayou! Be sure to visit them and their hoppers!

Thanking a Friend on a Wordless Wednesday

I was so moved by the thoughtfulness of fellow BlogPaws member and blogger Bryn Nowell of A Dog Walks Into A Bar  for contacting me over the summer asking to create something special in memory of my sweet Gibson, who will be celebrating his first anniversary North of the Rainbow Bridge on December 16th  After sending her one of my favorite portraits of Gibson I had taken, Bryn surprised me with this beautiful painted replica on canvas. I just love it so. Many woos of appreciation and heartfelt thanks go out to this wonderful gal who really brightened up my days! Pictured here with the portrait of Gibson are his younger brother Wolf and the love of Gib's life, his girl Harley. 

Oh, how I miss my sweet boy, not only during the holiday season, but every single day of the year. He will always, always remain with me in spirit, walking by my side in our continued advocacy for Epi-dogs and Canine Epilepsy Awareness. #LiveGibStrongForever

Thank you, Bryn. You certainly touched my heart. 

 💙

Wrapping Up K9 Epilepsy Awareness Month With Feature Article in Fidose of Reality ~and~ Special Book Giveaway!

Happy Flashback Friday! And what a Friday it is! First, we've been away this week as my daughter went into the hospital on Tuesday to be induced, and yesterday gave birth to a happy, healthy boy -  my first grandchild, and the FiveSibes hu-brother!

November was Epilepsy Awareness Month, and although it's now in our rear view mirror, and the holidays are fast approaching, let's always keep awareness for dogs with seizures going! I'd like to give a big "Thank You" to Carol Bryant for taking the time to interview me and discuss Canine Epilepsy that is highlighted in this fantastic article on her website Fidose of Reality. Please take the time to read this important piece and share with everyone you know and in your groups to help spread the word that with a little special care and lots of love, dogs with Canine Epilepsy can, and DO, live happy full lives.

As part of my #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Awareness Campaign, and in honor of my furangel Gibson, there is a special  *Giveaway* set of my EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories of Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life with Canine Epilepsy ($49.95 value) ~AND~ a #LiveGibStrong Awareness Bracelet to one lucky USA winner! Please visit Fidose of Reality's website HERE to read the article and enter the giveaway! You may enter until December 16, the one-year anniversary of my sweet boy's crossing over to The Rainbow Bridge.

And...since it's Flashback Friday, here's  my beautiful, silly, inspirational wooly Epi-boy, Gibson, from two Christmases ago posing with the book he inspired when it came fresh off the printing presses! And below, doing what he loved to do best ~ living life!

  

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 the Pet Parade, hosted by Rascal & Rocco, Bionic Basil,, Owned by a Husky, and Barking from the Bayou! Be sure to visit them and their hoppers!