Remembering Gibson on His Birthday

 

 

Today is a special date—my furangel Gibson’s birthday. I’ve been thinking a lot about of my very special boy, Gibson—my heart dog—on what would be his 15th Birthday (unbelievably his sixth birthday north of the Rainbow Bridge). This amazing dog inspired me, and so many others, with his zest for life, and his determination and grit to overcome so many health obstacles along his journey with Canine Epilepsy. Diagnosed shortly after his third birthday, Gibson never let having #epilepsy keep him down! He enjoyed so many things—he just loved life! He loved spending his days with the rest of our #FiveSibes pack: his true love Harley (who he was smitten with from the moment he came home and met her!), and younger siblings Wolfie, Chloe, and Bandit. He was their big fluffy pillow they loved to all spoon around! Gib also had a great sense of humor! He was truly a beautiful “old soul” and if you’ve followed my blog, my spirit animal for sure.

 

Gibson’s journey inspired me to do extensive research on Canine Epilepsy and become my own expert in order to help him live the best life possible. I met amazing veterinarian experts and fellow Epi-dog parents along the way, leading me to write two books and many articles and blog posts about him and dogs living with #CanineEpilepsy. He also inspired me to become an ambassador for Purple Day for Epilepsy and The Wally Foundation~Canine Epilepsy, bringing awareness and resources to others who have dogs with epilepsy.

 

Gibson’s beautiful face starred on national magazine covers, featured in newspaper articles, online blogs, and Ezines.  He was the face behind two different dog treats—Gibbie Snacks through House Wolf and later after House Wolf closed, Gib Nibs through Sassy’s Goodies, with donations from both benefitting Canine Epilepsy foundations. Gib inspired me to launch the #LiveGibStrong #K9Epilepsy educational campaign, and most recently the #Paws4Purple campaign with The Anita Kaufmann Foundation and Purple Day Every Day to continue to bring resources, information, and support to Epi-dog caregivers worldwide in his name so that folks know a) a dog with the diagnosis of epilepsy does not need to be euthanized, b) caregivers are not alone, and c) help to maneuver this journey is just a keyboard click away.

  

Gibson accomplished so much in his almost ten years!

 

Even after he became a furangel, the work continues in his name. Most recently, his beautiful image created by artist Cameo Anderson, highlights a poster I created with vet consultation, to show how to cool down an Epi-dog before, during, and after a seizure.


In the end, Gibson beat the seizure monster—through all the ups and downs and back ups on his journey, with his care management plan and medication he lived his last seven years seizure free!

 

He will forever be my spirit guide and my heart dog, that very special dog that comes along and resides within one forevermore.

 

Dear Gibson, 
Happy Birthday, my big beautiful fluffy boy. I hope you are having wonderful birthday snow zoomies north of the Rainbow Bridge with Harley, Chloe, and Bandit. I hope they have your favorite vanilla ice cream cake up there! Your little bro Wolfie is with me, and we are adjusting to life without all of you, a difficult feat. 
I love you my beautiful G-man. Forever and always.
 

 

 

Dear Readers:
We'll be back from our blogging break soon, but today was another special day. As you know, Wolfie and I needed time to mourn the sudden loss of his sister Bandit in October and we are trying to adjust to yet another new "normal" in these very unnormal times.  I look forward to once again sharing stories and our #FlashbackFriday and #WaitingWednesday Blog Hops with you all once again! Thank you all for your patience and for all your love and support during these trying times.  ~FiveSibesMom


Back to FiveSibes Blog Home Page

Visit our FiveSibes Website!

  

Visit our FiveSibes Facebook Page!

 

 



Comments

  1. ♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥January 6, 2021 at 3:35 PM

    Happy Birthday to Angel Gibson, and <<>> to you.

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

    ReplyDelete
  2. Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and MomJanuary 6, 2021 at 6:29 PM

    Wishing you a very special Happy Birthday, Gibson. I hope that Amber put on her snowsuit and boots and went to North of the Bridge to celebrate your birthday with you. Hugs to all of you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Brian's Home BlogJanuary 6, 2021 at 7:00 PM

    Hugs as you remember dear sweet Gibson.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why A Purple Pumpkin for Howloween? Plus, A Gibson Howloween Coloring Page!

Image
FiveSibes #Flashback Photo ~ Gibson & His Purple Pumpkin ~ 2014 W oo! Or, should I say Booooo! It's that time of the year when pumpkin hunting and carving is fun thing to do! And, while we are all busy carving and displaying our artworks on the gourds, did you remember to make a purple pumpkin?  "Woo! What's in my purple pumpkin? Treats?!"  ~Gibson/FiveSibes       A Purple pumpkin? What?! If you've been a FiveSibes follower, you know how important the color of purple is to us, and why Purple Pumpkins are a staple here.If you are new to us here at FiveSibes, I initially joined in the Purple Pumpkin Project because we made our pumpkin purple for my Epi-dog Gibson. So, you might be asking yourself, Why was Gibson's pumpkin purple? For Canine Epilepsy Awareness!  You can read more about it in our video further down in this post, or by visiting a previous explanatory post HERE.   Follow the Purple Pumpkin Project on Facebook! In a pumpkin shell—as m...
Read more

Acupressure and Ice to Relieve Seizures and A #LiveGibStrong Epi-Tip

Image
*Updated March 2022   Our Vet-Approved FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong  "Cooling Down an Epi-Dog: Where Do I Put Cold Packs?" Informational Poster   Poster Is A Great Resource for:     ✔︎ Veterinarian Offices ✔︎ Vet ER  Hospitals ✔︎ Rescues & Shelters ✔︎ Dog Wardens & Animal Control Officers ✔︎ Trainers ✔︎ Groomers ✔︎ Dog Walkers  ✔︎ Dog Parks  ✔︎ Pet Supply Stores & Boutiques ✔︎ Dog Friendly Businesses ✔︎ Police Departments ✔︎ Fire Departments   To request FREE* printed copies, simply send an Email with #Paws4Purple Materials in Subject line and what you'd like copies of and how many, to: Debra@AKFUS.org  of the Purple Day® Every Day as Presented by The Anita Kaufmann Foundation    For More Info on Canine Epilepsy, Please Visit Our #LiveGibStrong Online Library & Resource Page HERE.   Here's a great tip, diagram and explanation from Tallgrass Acupuncture Institute as to why ice on certain acupressure poin...
Read more

#PrayersForHarley - Dewclaw Tumor

Image
Dewclaws. Such an unnecessary evil for a dog. In August, I noticed Harley limping. At 11-and-a-half, she is a bit stiff-legged at times from arthritis, but this was a more pronounced limp and she was having an extra tough time sitting down. She seemed very uncomfortable. She was also becoming a bit snarley, especially when I was touching her paw, which is something that never typically bothers her. Upon further checking, I noticed an odd lump around her dewclaw on her right leg, thinking it was possibly a pulled dewclaw, maybe a splinter, thistle, or even a bee sting , she became extremely agitated when I touched it.    (Warning: some photos may be somewhat graphic, but I am sharing for educational purposes).   Oddity beneath the dew claw.   Off to the vet we went. At the vet, Harley is protective of her paw by hiding it . Harley's paw was shaved and it uncovered a very large inflamed area surrounding the dewclaw and beyond, as you can see in ...
Read more

The Rainbow Bridge Welcomes A New FurAngel - Buddy, the Christmas Husky - A Forever Symbol of Hope for Rescued Dogs

Image
Original photo by and courtesy of Lisa Byrd; modified by FiveSibes The Rainbow Bridge must be some (p)awesome place to be for it has so many amazing, beautiful angel animals there. My beloved Gibson is there. As is my Chelsey, Sandy, kitty Smokie, bunny Sunny, my fox Ah, many horses, and so many others pets. We have many furfriends who have also crossed The Rainbow Bridge. All of these beloved animals are there...so healthy and happy, with all the dogs enjoying their zoomies and playing Fetch all day in a land that is eternally beautiful. Sounds perfect. Only catch is when our devoted companions are there, we can no longer physically be with them. So while they are in a place where the spirit soars, our hearts are broken as we are missing them here with us. It is a hurt we all as pet parents now way too well.  And today, as unbelievable as it seems as I write this, we have to bid a final farewell to another dear furpal, Buddy, the Christmas Husky , who has now earned h...
Read more

Fit For Our #FiveSibes Alpha Queen: Celebrating Harley's 14½ Birthday

Image
Born on March 10, 2005, our beautiful alpha queen, pupster surrogate momma, and my daughter's and our first Siberian Husky,  turns 14½ today! You may be wondering why are we celebrating her half birthday? Because, as heartbreaking as it is, we now know she will not be here in March to celebrate her 15th Birthday as I once had hoped. Heartfelt thanks to Ann at Zoolatry for this beautiful badge. Thank you all who are sharing it and joining paws for our girl. As amazing and strong as our queen has been, and how proud I have been of how she still could outrun Pupsters Wolf and Bandit, still splash in her pool like a puppy, tear up a dog bed like there's no tomorrow, and chase her tail until the sun sets, our beloved Husky leader has also been dealing with health issues that we have been treating, but are now slowing her down and, heartbreakingly we are preparing ourselves for her journey, that we as pet parents all dread, to the Rainbow Bridge.  “Dogs' lives a...
Read more