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!
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.”
For information & links for Canine Epilepsy information, please visit our new FiveSibes website and K-9 Epilepsy section HERE.
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.
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:
Don't forget to answer our Giveaway question when leaving your blog comment! Does your dog like healthy treats?
Ironic that today is Epilepsy Day since Elsa experienced a small seizure yesterday. I'm always on the hunt for new healthy treats and this one sounds like just the ticket. The fact that it supports your foundation is icing on the cake. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteOh, dear...I am so sorry to hear that Elsa had a seizure. :-( I hope she is doing better today. <3
DeleteSigh, if only we still had our sweet Angel Ciara:( We bet we would still love those treats. And we know a few other families who would love to learn about them too. Thanks for telling us about Nanette and Sassy and Gib's Nibs.
ReplyDeleteWoos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber
Oh, how I wish Ciara and Gibson were still here. It is so surreal to me at times that these beautiful babies are not with us. Sending hugs xo
DeleteMy sister has 2 dogs that I like to give treats to, they love any kind of treats! mindy_delisi@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteSounds like they are lucky to have an auntie like you! Thanks for popping by our blog! :-)
DeleteI have a doxie who loves his treats.
ReplyDeleteLucky doxie! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteAbsolutely love this post. You can never go wrong with some delicious treats!!! Good luck to everyone who enters!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kristen!
DeleteThat's amazing thanks for sharing this! You do so much to help pup parents deal with epilepsy, what an honour that your pup is honoured through the creation of these treats. Having part of the sales go to such a worthy cause is a bonus. Thank you for all the work you do and for making us aware of these treats that give back.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, Hindy! I so appreciate them. Having lived with a very special Epi-dog, I remember how frightening it can be and hope that through our awareness, I can continue to help others in Gib's name. :-) Hearing feedback from you is so very important to me!
DeleteThose are some beautiful Huskies! And I bet Gibson is so proud to have a treat named after him!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, JoeHx! I so appreciate your saying so! (They do, too)! ;-) My Gibson loved being a "star" and he so loved treats!
DeleteIt's great there's treats especially for epileptic dogs! It can be hard to find limited ingredient treats for dogs that require them.
ReplyDeleteYes, it sure can be difficult to find that "right" treat when your dog has special needs. All too many times there is always something in there an Epi-dog cannot have. I am so happy about Nanette's healthy treat - for Epis and non-Epis, too!
DeleteI am so thrilled to see there are treats especially made for dogs with Epilepsy! I am also so happy for Nanette to have launched such a great product for such deserving pets! What an honor they are named after your pup!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I do, on behalf of my Gibson, feel very honored! I know he would be, too! I sure miss him, but this is a really great way to feel him still with me, helping other families with dogs who have Canine Epilepsy.
DeleteI always love your posts as I learn so much plus you share so much positive also. Those treats sound yummy and healthy which is so important for our pampered pets. Thanks for sharing and letting us know about another outlet for my next shopping spree
ReplyDeleteOh, Ruth, thank you so very much for saying so! I really appreciate that. Happy shopping! ;-)
DeleteSO cool that someone is out there going out of their way to make epic friendly treats for dogs! Necessity the mother of all invention right?
ReplyDeleteYes, absolutely on both counts! I am so happy for the Epi-dogs that can have these, as for those Epi-dogs the donations will help through The Wally Foundation. I think my boy is smiling down at us from north of that Rainbow Bridge!
DeleteThis is such a fantastic initiative! I love that you were able to create this with Nanette and bring awareness and fundraising to your cause.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Heather! I am so happy about it, too!
DeleteI love it when the market responds to needs. Great job on the treats. There is nothing more frustrating when a health issues messes with the ability to give a dog treats.
ReplyDeleteHi, Jana, and thank you! I sure do understand that frustration completely having to check every bag, can, and container for ingredients to be sure they did not have something that could trigger a seizure in Gibson...and sadly, many do. So this is a wonderful healthy homemade market to shop for the Epi-dog, and we help other Epi-dogs by the purchase, so it's a real win-win!
DeleteThese are the first treats I've seen that are geared for dogs with diabetes and/or epilepsy. My dogs love any kind of treat, but one of them has a grain allergy.
ReplyDeleteCheck out Sassy's web store as she does make grain-free treats, too!
DeleteThis month is the first time I'm learning about epilepsy awareness. Thanks for spreading the word and educating people like me! good luck to the participants!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kamira! I am always happy to share info on Canine Epilepsy and advocate for these amazing dogs who love and embrace life, not letting seizures stop them. They truly are inspirational dogs.
DeleteHarley, Chloe, and Bandit look adorable with the bag of Gib Nibs. What a wonderful partnership to honor Gib and help other epileptic dogs out there.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Irene! They really enjoyed stepping up for Gibson and being the official taste testers! It's a tough job (LOL), but some pups have to do it! ;-)
DeleteCongratulations on the launch of Gibs Nibs!! I love that these special treats are made with ingredients that dogs w/ epilepsy can enjoy safely. Sharing!
ReplyDeleteLove & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Thank you so much, Cathy! And thank you for sharing! We truly appreciate it!
DeleteThese treats sound delicious. It's great the ingredients are safe for dogs with epilepsy and other illnesses. I won't enter since I have cats, but some puppy is going to be very lucky.
ReplyDeleteThank you! According to my eager taste testers, they are quite tasty indeed! ;-)
DeleteCongratulations on your project! I'm glad you were able to bring this to fruition to help not only your dogs, but so many others as well. A lot of dog owners will be very happy!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I sure hope so! :-)
DeleteGod bless you and Nanette for all you are doing in support for canine epilepsy. I am on a quest myself to learn more about epilepsy and to educate, specifically breeders, on how they can help be part of the solution. I am absolutely going to share this post and might just get some Sassies Goodies for Junior and Sulley too!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stephanie! First, it is always wonderful to connect with another epilepsy advocate! And it is so wonderful and needed that you are helping by educating others, especially breeders, as it all starts right there. Thank you for sharing this post and I am sure your pups will enjoy Sassy's Goodies!
DeleteWhat an amazing way to raise awareness and also provide safe treats for dogs who sufffer from epilepsy! I had no idea that specific ingredients could be triggers so this is helpful information to tuck away just in case I speak with any dog owners whose pet is epileptic.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bryn! Yes, certain food ingredients actually top the list of possible triggers (after vet rules out illness or injury). If anyone has any questions, just send them on over! :-)
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