Wolfie, What is the Rainbow Bridge? ~ a NEW FiveSibes Tale Book Has Been Published!

It's an exciting Newsy Tuesday...because it is Book Nook time! I am so very happy and thrilled here at the Forever #FiveSibes homestead to announce that my newest FiveSibes Tale—a "junior" Tale book titled, Wolfie, What is the Rainbow Bridge? has been published! I had always dreamed of completing a line of five FiveSibes Tales--one for each of my Huskies, but unfortunately, while my Chloe book was in process, the illustrator fell out of touch. So I never finished the line of tales. it has been a little over 10 years since my last FiveSibes Tale, Getting Healthy With Harley, was published...so this is very exciting!

 

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The bond between a family pet and child is indeed a special one. But, when the pet passes, or its time is near, it can be so heartbreaking, and especially for children who in addition to being sad, may also be confused and/or scared. 

 

Explaining the death of a beloved pet is a heartbreaking and very sensitive topic to broach with a child, and I hope Wolfie, What is the Rainbow Bridge? will help families deal with that grief. It is not a religious book, but does talk about the Rainbow Bridge being "heaven for dogs" as well as briefly talking about the northern lights, stars, snow (for the Huskies), and of course, rainbows as signs that our beloved pets may send us to let us know they are okay. Prior to publishing this book, I contacted several people who work in the pet fields and with children—including a pediatrics team, Therapy Dog handlers, grief specialist, and those in the veterinary and medical fields—in order to get their thoughts on the book before publishing, and have shared them further down in this post.

Wolfie, What is the Rainbow Bridge? is a very special book for me, personally, for several reasons. First, I wrote it with input from my grandson, as he was best friends with Wolfie right up until Wolfie earned his furangel wings. This was a project near and dear to my heart in addition to it being about the magical bond between a boy and his dog, it also stars the last of our FiveSibes, pupster and my baby boy of the pack, Wolfie. The photo illustrations are my creations, plus...as I do with all of my books, a portion of the profits will be donated toward helping homeless shelter Huskies. So a superfecta of specialness! 

While this book stars a dog, its message is one for all beloved pets—dogs, cats, bunnies, horses, birds, fish, hamspters, guinea pigs, sheep, goats, cows, etc., because The Rainbow Bridge's gates are open to all animals.  

🌈✨🐕🐕‍🦺🐈‍🐈‍⬛🐎🫏🐄🐐🐖🦜🪿🦆🐁🐠

 

 This Giveaway has now ended. Thank you to all who entered!

This book was written with the intention of having a parent/grandparent/caregiver or even a teacher and/or veterinarian (with prior permission from a parent) to read it to their child of all ages (even though I feel age five and up have a better understanding of the topic, parents will know best). This heartfelt story explains—in a sensitive and upbeat style—what the Rainbow Bridge is and what it means to animals. 

Of course, it is not heavy or sad, but rather an inspirational book both my grandson and I hope will help other families with children who have either lost a beloved pet, or are preparing for that loss and are not sure how to explain it in terms a child would understand and take comfort in.

Also, at the end of the story, is a reading teacher-approved Vocabulary List to review with a child, as well as an important Discussion Sheet, and a special fun Draw Your Pet page where children can draw their own pets and color the picture in, creating a personal keepsake that hopefully will help a child who has loved and lost/or will be losing a beloved pet, through the grief process. 

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE!

A little back story: As many of your know, after our girl Bandit earned her furangel wings,  Wolfie was the last of our beloved FiveSibes; he was the lone Husky here, and he became quite sad and was grieving his pack family...a lot. But, thanks to the love of a. young boy—my grandson—the two bonded, and soon Wolfie became my grandson's BFF (Best Furry Friend), and he Wolfie's best buddy. Together, they'd spend hours outside in the yard—sometimes lying down on the giant dog bed, or running around playing together, or simply hanging out on the deck. We'd all go for walks together, my grandkids in their kiddie cars and Wolfie prancing next to them. In the Autumn, they would all investigate the tall stalks of the corn, pick out pumpkins from our patch, and share snacks at the kids table! In the summer, Wolfie would enjoy the sprinkler and the kiddie pool with the kids. I'd hear my grandson chatting away with Wolfie, and it always warmed my heart.

Many times, us three would sit out on the front porch and either gaze at the passing cloud shapes, or in the evening watch the stars in the sky. On one particular day, we were sitting out on our front porch while it was raining and my grandson had his arm wrapped around Wolfie. When the rained lightened and a beautiful rainbow arced across the sky, this led to some awesome "Woos" and Wows," and us talking about the Rainbow Bridge and how it was a special place pets go when they earn their wings. As a writer, I stored those precious nuggets of memories away until I was ready to write the book that was already forming in my mind.

I choose to remember all of our moments together with our FiveSibes as not only cherished memories, but moments that will forever live in our hearts. Sharing these times through writing is not only a way of continuing the FiveSibes legacy, who are always in my heart, but through these tales, it's hopefully also a way of offering hope and joy to others who are also traveling on the that wonderful road in life shared with amazing pets. The following poem outlines this perfectly...

 Grief Poem

Contributed by Chaplin Robert Orr - Kindred Hospice

“Where there is deep grief there is great love....Through the darkness of grief we can see the light of love which transcends death. And with the pain can come gratitude for the gift of time we had, the love that was shared....”

 

Although my Wolfie, who was pure white and looked every bit the same as when he was a pupster, he was actually heading toward his 14th birthday and was considered a senior dog at the time the idea was born. My grandson knew Wolfie was growing old, and soon we were talking about where our other four Sibes—Harley, Gibson, Chloe, and Bandit—now were, what it was like for dogs cross the Rainbow Bridge, and would Wolfie find his pack family when it was his time to go. The idea for this special book was born. 

 

Eventually, it was not only Wolfie's time to earn his furangel wings and join his pack family, the time had come to write the story, which took almost several years to complete—from conversation to concept to publication.

The photo illustrations* are all mine, and I so enjoyed creating the digital art for the book!

I'm so proud of my grandson of how he cared for and about Wolfie, and how he helped me write this book by sharing his thoughts and conversations he had Wolfie.

*Although based on a true story, some names and photos have been altered for privacy.

Join us!

I have a special favor to ask! As with my other FiveSibes books, if you would like to join us in getting the word out about this book by joining us on our Blog Book Tour, please let me! I'd be happy to answer any interview questions about the book, send images, the below badge, and link to the book! Simply Message me and/or drop me an Email at FiveSibesHuskyNews(at)gmail(dot)com and put 

"Wolfie Blog Book Tour" in the subject line. I will gladly share your post across my social media, too!

 

Thank you!

 

Book Tour Badge 

(You can take a screen shot)

Link your post to us at:  

https://fivesibes.blogspot.com/2025/05/Wolfie-what-is-Rainbow-Bridge-book.html

 

I'm so touched by what folks are saying about our book, 

 Wolfie, What is the Rainbow Bridge?...

 

“I just completed Dorothy and Cody’s story explaining the Rainbow Bridge. It is a happy and gentle way to introduce your child to the feelings of loss. The story tells and illuminates the bond between children and dogs. As we age, our bodies develop and change. Dogs age much faster than humans. Their time with their human family is precious. The photos and memories in the book come alive. A gentle lesson is taught. ~ARNOLD RUGG, DVM; and a GrandPa (“Papa”)

 

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“This heartfelt book is a must read for anyone child or adult who has helped their beloved animal to the Rainbow Bridge. The bond, which truly connects so beautifully detailed.” ~JEANETTE DABALDO, Hospital Director of Patient Access; Siberian Husky Hu-Mom to “Spirit” & furangel “Faith”

  

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“I do believe! This book is wonderful and so needed! I'll have to order four copies. We've struggled trying to explain it to several small children who recently lost (or will soon lose) their beloved dogs. Wolfie's and Cody's discussion will open good memories of their own pets. The animals DO talk, if we just listen with our hearts.”~JAN N., Founder/President of Jack’s DOGS™️, a non-profit organization of working Therapy Dogs through Pet Partners®️, Writer/Administrator of Ruby the Therapy Dog community Facebook page.

 

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"Once again, Dorothy, tells an emotion-filled story illustrating the bonds of love between our hearts and our pets. A great read for our children and their parents." ~DR. KASSIA KUBENA-FONTENOT & STEVEN FONTENOT, Kubena Pediatrics, Texas; Therapy Dog Handlers for Pet Partners®️ and Therapy Animals of San Antonio, Administrators of the Bellin Bellin Therapy Dog Facebook page, and Volunteers with the Texas Husky Rescue.

 

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"In this beautiful and heartfelt story, we follow Wolfie the dog as he explains all about the rainbow bridge to a child named Cody. The use of simple language can help children process grief in a gentle way, knowing their furry friend is in a peaceful spot filled with love. This book is a great resource for anyone struggling to find a way to explain pet loss to kids." ~HINDY PEARSON/greypawsandall.com; Dog Trainer, Senior Dog Care Consultant, and Pet Loss Specialist

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“This is a heartwarming book showing the special bond shared between children and their fur buddies. Even when the fur buddies pass, the beloved dogs will always be remembered, and are still ‘out there’ watching over their loved ones, if they believe. It’s a gentle, and reassuring read, to help children who may be faced with losing a beloved pet.” ~MICKEY PADESKY, Hu-Mom/ Handler of Siberian Husky, “Mishka,” a certified pet Therapy Dog thru the Coulee Region Humane Society’s Pet Therapy Program, Ambassadors of Love, and a Pet Therapy Dog at the Children’s Museum of LaCrosse in Wisconsin and community events since 2015.

 

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In the book, "Wolfie What is Rainbow Bridge," written by both Dorothy Wills-Raftery & Cody Thomas, readers have the most intimate opportunity to learn about the loving relationship between a canine companion and family, and they have such a gift in this story to help readers young and young at heart, process the loss and love of a treasured pet. It is also a beautiful testament also in a young boy not only learning about life, love and loss but also how to communicate that powerful story through inquisition, art and expression. Oftentimes, as we navigate life, losing a pet may be the first exposure our children have to learning how to process and heal loss. When done well, it can also set a beautiful stage for healthy grieving and celebration of the gifts shared with us by those pets and eventually people we will be a part of in our lives. This beautifully woven story includes impactful lessons for us all." ~JULIE ANN NETIFEE,  RVT, MS, VTS (Neurology), The Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab, North Carolina State University-College of Veterinary Medicine; Author; 2020 American Humane Hero Veterinary Nurse

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"What a beautiful book this incredible true story is which was written by Dorothy Wills-Raftery!! Dorothy has such an amazing gift of creating, writing, illustrating and publishing such beautiful stories, which turn into such captivating books. I loved reading this heartfelt story about Wolfie and the grandchildren! My only complaint about this book, is that it ended too soon!! I was really enjoying this special story and reading it and when I read the last page, I wanted their story to continue...Congratulations, Dorothy, for another very touching story, with such beautiful illustrations and lessons of love between a boy & his dog." ~BARBARA DRURY, Hu-Mom to "Boston" & "Brooklyn" and furangels "Baxter" & "Manilow;" Owner, Manilow's Canine Playground, MA

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Click on store image to purchase!

 

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ENTERED. WINNER 

ANNOUNCED BELOW.

  

Now what's a book release without a giveaway? For a chance to win a copy of Wolfie, What is the Rainbow Bridge? be sure to enter the Rafflecopter below after 12:01AM May 7, 2025. It's a randomly selected drawing for U.S.A. Residents who are 18 and older, and one lucky winner will be randomly selected after it ends on *May 14, 2025 at 12:00AM.*  

 →IMPORTANT   ⃪

To Enter: 

1) Be a USA resident 

2) Must be age 18+, 

3) Winner must reply to the Email within 48 hours with mailing address (or a new winner will be drawn), 

4) Must answer the Challenge Questions on the Rafflecopter to qualify!

 (Challenge Questions: Do you have a dog/pet who has crossed the Rainbow Bridge? Will you be reading this book to a child?)

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If you purchase the book, we'd love to know who you bought it for and to see photos of you and/or your furbabies with the book to add to our Wolfie's Blog Book Tour photo album that I will share on this blog and on my FiveSibes: Siberian Husky K9 News & Reviews Facebook page. Simply Email them to us at FiveSibesHuskyNews(at)gmail(dot)com (you all know to replace the (at) and (dot) with @ and . ), and type "Wolfie Blog Book Tour" in the subject line! 

Oh, and leaving a (hopefully positive) review of what you thought of the story on the book's listing on Amazon is really appreciated and helps to keep the book higher up on their recommendation list. 🥰

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Happy Newsy Tuesday!

 

And because it's such a Happy Tuesday, we're also joining

in the Comedy Plus Happy Tuesday Blog Hop! Be sure to click

on the image below and check out some other Happy blogs! 

 

 RAFFLECOPTER DRAWING IS NOW CLOSED FOR THIS GIVEAWAY.

THANK YOU TO ALL FOR ENTERING!

 

🎉 CONGRATS TO THE WINNER 🎉

 

MONIKA M. of

 TAILS AROUND THE RANCH! 

Please send us your "doghouse" address so we can get the book shipped to you!

Rafflecopter Opens at 12:01 May 7 ~ Ends 12AM May 14, 2025

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