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 sassysgoodies.com/, 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:
 




***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!


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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 blogsite HERE...or just go to top of blog and click on our Pages!


Comments

  1. 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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, dear...I am so sorry to hear that Elsa had a seizure. :-( I hope she is doing better today. <3

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  2. Sigh, 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.

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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

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  3. My sister has 2 dogs that I like to give treats to, they love any kind of treats! mindy_delisi@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like they are lucky to have an auntie like you! Thanks for popping by our blog! :-)

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  4. Absolutely love this post. You can never go wrong with some delicious treats!!! Good luck to everyone who enters!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That'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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank 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!

      Delete
  6. Those are some beautiful Huskies! And I bet Gibson is so proud to have a treat named after him!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, JoeHx! I so appreciate your saying so! (They do, too)! ;-) My Gibson loved being a "star" and he so loved treats!

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  7. It's great there's treats especially for epileptic dogs! It can be hard to find limited ingredient treats for dogs that require them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, 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!

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  8. I 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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank 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.

      Delete
  9. I 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Ruth, thank you so very much for saying so! I really appreciate that. Happy shopping! ;-)

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  10. SO 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?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, 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!

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  11. This is such a fantastic initiative! I love that you were able to create this with Nanette and bring awareness and fundraising to your cause.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, 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!

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  13. These 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Check out Sassy's web store as she does make grain-free treats, too!

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  14. This 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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank 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.

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  15. Harley, 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank 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! ;-)

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  16. Congratulations on the launch of Gibs Nibs!! I love that these special treats are made with ingredients that dogs w/ epilepsy can enjoy safely. Sharing!
    Love & Biscuits,
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Cathy! And thank you for sharing! We truly appreciate it!

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  17. These 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! According to my eager taste testers, they are quite tasty indeed! ;-)

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  18. Congratulations 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!

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  19. God 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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank 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!

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  20. What 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.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, 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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