Celebrating Eight Years of Blogging!

Beautiful portrait of my FiveSibes created for me by the very talented Cameo Anderson.

Woo! Today marks our 8th Blogiversary! It has been such a wonderful eight years of sharing the lives of my FiveSibes, Siberian Huskies Harley, (now furangel) Gibson, and our Pupsters, littermates Wolf, Bandit, and Chloe, as well as seeing us launch our #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Awarenenss and educational campaign. Over the years, we have enjoyed bringing you, our dear readers, photos and videos of our FiveSibes shenanigans, sharing the highs of sharing life with five amazing, wonderful Huskies, and the lows--sharing illnesses, injuries, and the losing our beloved Gibson. The sharing of canine news and events, news of my canine books and articles, a salute to canine heroes and highlighting Huskies in need of rescuing, as well as continued updates and information on Canine Epilepsy awareness, sharing laughs through our Merry Monday Memes, and strolling down Memory Lane on our FiveSibes Flashback Friday blog hop, to our "The Sibe Vibe" podcasts on Dog Works Radio, all has all been so important and enjoyable to me. Through this blog, I also created the FiveSibes: Siberian Husky K9 News & Reviews Facebook page, became an award-winning member of the Dog Writers Association of America, and joined the wonderful BlogPaws group, where we continue to meet and network with other amazing pet parents. 

As a career photojournalist, I began this blog to connect with other pet parents and to expand on learning and sharing our experiences with the Siberian Husky breed and helping others understand the scary and sometimes rough waters known as Canine Epilepsy, and to share the message that these Epi-dogs are amazing dogs who can teach us valuable life lessons, and to let their caregivers know they are not alone when they find themselves faced with their beloved dog having a seizure. 

Through this wonderful "town" known as Blogville, my FiveSibes and I have met some wonderful furfriends and their families, whom we have come to know and are proud to call our friends. We have laughed with each through comments and Emails at the funny times, and shared tears and offer support during the sad times. 

Many heartfelt thanks from my FiveSibes and I to each of you for your eight years of loyal readership and friendship. Blogville is a wonderful community, and we are so proud to be part of it, and hope to be for many more years to come. 

My very first blog post was on February's Pet Dental Health. And in this Flashback Friday blog post, I am sharing a photo of our first Husky and alpha queen who launched it all, Harley, showing off her pearly whites in a photo from five years ago. 

To read my article in Hudson Valley Paw Print Magazine, "Flash Your Pet's Pearly Whites" below:

https://issuu.com/sirenajohnson/docs/5.5x8.5_booklet_pp_6_final_online_n/12

You're Invited!

Do you have a photo from your pet's past that you'd like to share? Come stroll down Memory Lane with us here at FiveSibes and join in our Flashback Friday blog hop (we are open all week, so join in any time)! Just post your pic on your blog, grab our badge from below & link to our blog, then join the blog hop below so others can come visit and see your flashback photos, too! A fun way to relive past fun times with our pets, present and past, and a great way to kick off a weekend! (To see past posts, put "Flashback Friday" in our Search bar at top of blog). We hope you'll join us for some Friday fun!

Grab Our Badge!

We are also joining in the Pet Parade! Hop over and check out the hosts' blogs, too, at:Rascal & Rocco, , Bionic Basil, and Barking from the Bayou!

Back to Our Home Page to Read Other Posts

#LostPuppy - Siberian Husky "Bella"

EVENING PUPDATE: I AM SOOOOOO happy to report that as of tonight, almost a week after she was reported stolen, missing Husky puppy "Bella" is back home safely in her hu-mom's arms!!! What a happy ending story!!!
Check out the reunion photo of pup and hu-mom below!

Beautiful "Bella" of Sassy's Goodies in Missouri has been reported stolen from their property. Bella is Sassy the Husky's baby. Her family, with assistance from law enforcement, is frantically trying to find her. According to Bella's hu-mom, there is a reward for her safe return. Please visit Sassy's Goodies Facebook page HERE for updates, more photos, and videos. Please keep an eye out for Bella's photo in your groups, lost and found pet pages, and ads in newspapers. We hope and pray sweet Bella is returned home safe and soon to her very worried family.


PUPDATE REUNION PHOTO:

Bella and her hu-mom, Nanette, are all Husky hugs and smiles!

Thank you to all who shared Bella's posters & photos via social media.

#SharingIsCaring

A Circle of Love

Flashing back a five years to when Wolfie was recuperating from one of his lateral imbrication surgeries for a torn CCL (cranial cruciate ligament, similar to the ACL in humans) and blown meniscus in October 2013, and his second one in July 2014. (You can read more of Wolf's story HERE).  While resting, his sister Chloe snuggled up to keep him company...such a circle of sibling love. She knew how her brother felt as just two years earlier she blew out both of hers mid-air as she was jumping up on a bed and had lost use of both of her legs at the same time, requiring bilateral imbrication surgeries. (You can read more of her story HERE).  How they care for one another is truly so heartwarming.

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage." ~Lao Tzu

Come Join Our Blog Hop & Share Your Memories!

Our Flashback Friday hop is open all week long, so join us even if it's not Friday!

Grab Our Blog Hop Badge!

We are also joining in the Pet Parade! Hop over and check out the hosts' blogs, too, at: Rascal & Rocco, , Bionic Basil, and Barking from the Bayou!

Click Here To Go To Our Home Page for Other Stories!

Happy Hearts Day!

"Will you be our Valentine?" ~FiveSibes

Back to Our Blog Home Page

Epilepsy Day: Debut of "Gib Nibs" to Benefit The Wally Foundation & A Treat Giveaway!

Today, on international Epilepsy Day, we are so excited to announce the debut of the brand new “Gib Nibs” – a hand-crafted, gluten-free dog treat made by Nanette Willis, a Husky mom, United States Military wife, and the owner and baker at Sassy’s Goodies (with the Epi-dog (epileptic dog) in mind. And…a giveaway, too! Read about that a bit later in this post and be sure to enter!

After several discussions between Nanette and I on what Gibson had in his diet, and the ingredients that could and should not be in an Epi-dog’s treat, Gib Nibs was born! And I am so honored that Nanette is naming them after my beloved boy, the forever #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy ambassador, Gibson! 

Nanette, whose physical Sassy’s Goodies bakery is located in Springfield, MO and online store at www.SassysGoodies.net, was excited to join in our #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Awareness and educational campaign to help other dogs living with seizures and their caregivers, and she has graciously agreed to DONATE a portion of sales from Gib Nibs to The Wally Foundation (TWF) for Canine Epilepsy! 

TWF offers possible financial assistance to families, fosters, and rescues for much-need anti-seizure medications for dogs diagnosed with idiopathic Epilepsy. (To fill out an application, send a Direct Message to TWF on Facebook HERE).

I am honored to announce this perennial fundraiser to help assist

other Epi-dog families today, on International Epilepsy Day, and to thank Sassy's Goodies for coming on board the #LiveGibStrong campaign! We are thrilled to join up with Sassy's, and in the spirit of being transparent, while we received samples for my Sibes to do some taste testing, I do not get compensated for Gib Nibs, as it is part of my Canine Epilepsy awareness education, fundraising, and promotion. I have been a volunteer case manager with TWF, and am so thrilled Nanette will be donating a portion of Gib Nibs to them so they can help other dogs with Canine Epilepsy. 

To tune in to my new episode of "The Sibe Vibe" featuring Nanette where we talk all about the new "Gib Nibs," tune in HERE any time!



What is Epilepsy Day? It all began in 2015 and, according to Epilepsy.com, it was “organized by the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) and the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). The day provides a platform for people with epilepsy to share their experiences and stories with a global audience.”

Forever K-9 Epilepsy Ambassador, Gibson.

For information & links for Canine Epilepsy information, please visit our new FiveSibes website and K-9 Epilepsy section HERE. 

As a Canine Epilepsy advocate for many years and inspired by my Epi-dog Gibson, here at FiveSibes we join in today in not only showing our support for humans living with Epilepsy, but to also shine a spotlight on Canine Epilepsy and the amazing dogs living with seizures. This year’s theme is #ThisIsMe…and so, today’s blog post features our forever #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Ambassador, Gibson, who had grand mal and cluster seizures leading to his diagnosis of idiopathic Epilepsy when he had just turned three. Gibson loved life. There is just no other way to put it. He just loved his people, and was my special boy. He adored his pack family, especially the love of his life, Harley, and he was always up for walks, a run with his Sibe mates, some Husky singing, a little Gibbie Hip-Hop dancing, and he was always happy to share his Gibbie kisses with humans! Although we were able to keep his seizures away for the last seven years of his life, he sure had his ups and downs and close calls with Canine Epilepsy and the side effects from the medications. 

Gibson taught me to embrace life, no matter how you feel or what is going on around you, just slap on a silly smile, do a little dance, and embrace it all! So, to have his legacy of being a happy and brave Epidog Ambassador continue on to help others, well...this momma is still so very proud of my boy. And you know, I believe he is, too.

"What are these pieces of deliciousness? Please open up the bag!"

The Gib Nibs were a huge hit in my house! I could not get them out of the bag fast enough for Harley, Chloe, and Bandit! Gib Nibs are tasty, wholesome crisps filled with yummy goodness. My four FiveSibes loved them! I really missed my boy Gibson being here…he would love to give these bites a taste test and be part of our photoshoot for his new namesake treat! His Sibemates filled in for him and truly enjoyed their taste testing! 

Wolf is keeping a bag of his brother's tasty namesake treats all to himself!

I'd am so pleased to introduce you to Nanette and her Huskies!

Sassy's Goodies owner and baker, Nanette Willis, with Siberian Husky puppy Bella and her momma and business namesake, Sassy!

And Nanette's other two Siberian Huskies "Jake" and "Bentley."

Here’s a bit about the origins of Sassy's Goodies and Gib Nibs!

FiveSibesMom (FSM): Nanette, tell us about the new Gib Nibs, from the nutritional aspect and about the ingredients.

Sassy’s Goodies Nanette (SGN): Our new Gib Nibs are made with

organic oats, local home grown veggies when possible, and homemade beef pureé. They are low in fat and are a good source of protein for any dog, especially those with epilepsy and also diabetes. There is no sugar, salt, rosemary, gluten, or preservatives.

FSM: Excellent ingredients! Dogs with seizures should stay away from rosemary, gluten, and preservatives at they could be possible triggers. And dogs on Potassium Bromide, like Gibson was, need to watch their salt intake as it can interfere with the absorption of the medication and how it works, so it's great there is no salt in your Gib Nibs. How long will they last (if they aren’t eaten right away!)? And how should they be stored?

SGN: They will stay fresh for over a year in either our zip-lock bags or you can put them in their favorite jar.

FSM: Tell us about the nutritional analysis.

SGN:

FSM: How do you feel being part of FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Awareness campaign? And thank you for making this a perennial fundraiser and donating a portion of Gib Nibs sales to The Wally Foundation to help other Epi-dog families.

SGN: I am excited to be a part of this campaign. I do a lot of work with local shelters and organizations, but this is the first time I can help in a larger area.

FSM: Tell us a little about Sassy’s Goodies...how it came about, how long you've been in business.

SGN: I started Sassy's Goodies 6 years ago this month when I had

recently lost my 8-year-old Husky, Nala, to diabetic complications. Being a diabetic, I had always made her homemade treats. 

My husband was in Iraq at the time, and had been in Afghanistan previously, and she would talk to him on Skype. When he asked if she wanted a treat, she would look at me as if she was saying, "Daddy says I get a treat! Come on, let's go!” After some time I went online and the new puppy I found was born that same day she died, that was a sign to me to make those healthy treats as a business and educate people what is in food, treats, shots etc., so they can take care of their four-legged family member so they would live healthier, happier and longer. I named my business after my new Husky, Sassy. 

FSM: Thank you to your husband for his service. You have other treats, too. Tell us a little about them.

SGN: We have several different flavors of treats and also cakes that contain no wheat, corn, salt, sugar, soy or preservatives. We are licensed with both the FDA and Missouri Agriculture Department of Agriculture.

Sassy’s Goodies physical bakery is located in Springfield, MO and the online store is at www.SassysGoodies.net and on Etsy. Sassy’s Goodies are also now available in various stores and vet offices in Missouri. On the Sassy’s Goodies website, you can even sign your pup up for the Birthday Club, where your dog receives a special complimentary Birthday treat from Nanette along with your next order. You can check out the Birthday Club HERE.

To read some of my other posts featuring Sassy’s Goodies, visit HERE. 

To tune in to my FiveSibes “The Sibe Vibe” Valentine’s Day show from 2016, when Nanette was my guest and we chatted about her Huskies and her treats, tune in below:

Check Out Pets Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with Dog Works Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio with Dog Works Radio Shows on BlogTalkRadio

***UPDATE***

THE DRAWING IS OVER AND THE WINNER IS MINDY! CONGRATS!!!

PLEASE CONTACT US WITHIN 48 HOURS (5:40 PM EST ON FEBRUARY 22) TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE!

PRIZES

Two 2 oz Bags of the new "Gib Nibs" by Sassy's Goodies,

Value $10, plus shipping (included).

~and~

One #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Awareness Bracelet, 

Value $3, plus shipping (included).

Open to U.S. residents age 18 and older. Winner will be selected randomly and will be notified by Email supplied when entering and posted on this FiveSibes post. Winner will need to respond with mailing address within 48 hours or the prizes will awarded to another entrant. Giveaway closes at 12:00 AM on February 20th.

Don't forget to answer our Giveaway question when leaving your blog comment! Does your dog like healthy treats?

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

-->

Interested in learning more about Canine Epilepsy? Check out my books at ArcticHouse Publishing (available online and through Amazon) and my #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy campaign and educational section on my website at FiveSibes.com.

Back to Blog Home Page

Pizza, Football & #FiveSibes Flashback Friday!

Woo! Welcome back to our FiveSibes Flashback Friday! It has been some long winter for so many of us. While normally, winter would be a wonderful thing having Siberian Huskies and all, but this year, Mother Nature slammed us with lots of frigid temps and ice, making it not so much fun. Plus, the sick bug has gone around my house several times, and these past few weeks I have been under the weather from my compromised immune system, for which I am currently being detoxed for (not fun). But, having my grandson and the four FiveSibes here keep me amused and happy! 

In honor of today's National Pizza Day (and boy, do Harley, Wolf, Chloe, and Bandit love their "pizza bones!"), we had the best pizza we ever (pictured above) homemade by my daughter and son-in-law. Yumm-MMM!

And what goes really great with pizza? Football and Puppy Bowl day! Here's our Flashback to this past Big Game Day weekend! 

Our Chloe girl was catching a few Husky zzzzs during the pre-game show...

And then it was time for kick-off...!

Happy Flashback Friday!

Our Hop is open all week long, so join us even if it's 
not Friday!

Grab Our Blog Hop Badge!

Back to Our Blog Home Page!