ABOUT US

 

Welcome to the FiveSibes™ site, a virtual dog park where our motto is “If it’s about a Siberian Husky and/or Canine Epilepsy, we’ll chat about it!” 

 


Many of you already know of the FiveSibes ~ five Siberian Huskies named Harley, Gibson, Wolf, Chloe, and Bandit ~ from the FiveSibes™ blog, the FiveSibes Tales illustrated children’s books, FiveSibes: Siberian Husky K9 News & Reviews Facebook page, and other social media sites, as well as from conversations with their “FiveSibesMom,” award-winning author and photojournalist Dorothy Wills-Raftery on air during the“The Sibe Vibe” show she hosts on Dog Works Radio.  

This blog website brings all the different FiveSibes facets together under one doghouse roof so you can easily connect with any or all of them! You can get to know each of the FiveSibes and the FiveSibesMom a little better, check out the FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Awareness resource library tab, keep up with us on our current blog articles and on Facebook, tune in to Dorothy's radio show, and be able to purchase one of Dorothy’s books through the ArcticHouse Book Store & Gift Shoppe tab (formerly ArcticHousePublishing.com. NOTE: We have closed down that site and moved it here). There is also a section for information on the Siberian Husky breed, Siberian Husky rescues, resources if you’ve lost or found a Siberian Husky, and check out the library of Dorothy’s published canine articles and product reviews.  

Have a book or pet item you’d like reviewed and shared on our social media? Would you like FiveSibes as an affiliate sponsor? We can do that, too! If we don’t use it or believe in it, you won’t find it on FiveSibes! Interested? Check out our PR Kit under our PR tab for details!  We hope you’ll bookmark our site, come back and visit often, and make FiveSibes.blogspot.com (formerly FiveSibes.com. We have closed that down and moved it here) one of your go-to Siberian Husky and Canine Epilepsy resources!

 
Click here for FiveSibes Featured in 
Other Sites and Media
 

Meet the #FiveSibesMom

a/k/a #TheSibeScribe 

Dorothy Wills-Raftery


Dorothy Wills-Raftery, known as the #FiveSibesMom, and #TheSibeScribe,  is an award-winning author, photojournalist, editor, photographer, and public relations specialist, with vast experience in the educational and pet care fields.

Dorothy’s Siberian Huskies, fondly known at the FiveSibes, are her inspiration for her FiveSibes™ Blog– a globally top-ranked Siberian Husky site (FiveSibes.blogspot.com), where she shares a peek into the lives of the FiveSibes, discusses the magnificent breed of the Siberian Husky and their specific traits, promotes Siberian Husky rescues and reputable breeders, discusses canine healthcare, and advocates for Canine Epilepsy awareness. She shares Siberian Husky and canine news, hosts a #FlashbackFriday Blog Hop on her blog where she shares fond photos from Memory Lane and invites others to join in and link up. She also hosts a #WaitingWednesday Blog Hop, highlighting rescues and dogs available for adoptions. Periodically, she will post a Merry Meme Monday showcasing reader photos with captions voted on by her readership on her FiveSibes: Siberian Husky K9 News & Reviews page on Facebook. She also shares recipes in her Canine Cooking Corner post and videos, and also does book and dog product reviews for things she and her FiveSibes love.

Dorothy is the writer and host of her award-winning “The Sibe Vibe” show that aired on Dog Works Radio and iTunes. 
 
Dorothy is also the administrator of the FiveSibes: Siberian Husky K9 News & Reviews Facebook community page with over 20,000 fans!

 


Award-Winning Author

Dorothy’s published canine-related books include:

  • EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy (Independent Press Award for "Excellence" in Reference Book Category, New York City Big Book Award for "Excellence" in Animals/Pets Book Category, Named “Best in Print” by AmericanPet Magazine, and named “Top Dog Book Nonfiction” by Talent Hounds).
  • What’s Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy A FiveSibes illustrated children’s book. (Awarded “Best in Print” by AmericanPet Magazine, and named “Top Dog Books for Kids” by Talent Hounds).
  • Getting Healthy With Harley: Learning About Health & Fitness A FiveSibes illustrated children’s book. (Awarded “Best in Print” by AmericanPet Magazine and named “Top Dog Books for Kids” by Talent Hounds).
  • Buddy, the Christmas Husky—Based on a True Holiday Miracle (Awarded “Best in Print” by AmericanPet Magazine).
  • Dorothy also edited Team Ineka: A Musher’s Dream (Awarded “Best in Print” by AmericanPet Magazine).

Dorothy’s books are available through our ArcticHouse Book Store & Gift Shoppe tab. (NOTE: They are out of stock on Amazon. Any other "sellers" if not ArcticHouse Publishing, are NOT us! We carry the only new books! ArcticHouse Publishing is now under our tab here).

Dorothy is a long-time member of the Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA), Women’s Fiction Writers Association, American Rosie the Riveter Association, Women in the Pet Industry Network (WIPIN), and a 14-year past member of the New York School Public Relations Association (NYSPRA).

Dorothy is a contributing writer for 4Knines.com blog, and has had many canine-related articles and photographs published in a variety of publications, including AmericanPet Magazine, Ruff Drafts, Sled Dogger Magazine, Hudson Valley Paw Prints, and Kings River Life Magazine, as well as non-canine related stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Messages From Heaven and Other Miracles, Rosie the Riveter Book Series, Woman’s World, The Wedding Journal, In Focus Magazine, Hudson Valley Business Journal, Ulster Magazine, The Times-Herald Record, The Daily Freeman, and Ulster Gazette.

 Dorothy is the Women in the Pet Industry’s Network (WIPIN) 2017 “Pet Woman of the Year Finalist.”
 

 
Dorothy is an 11-time DWAA “Excellence” award nominee, and three-time recipient of the DWAA’s prestigious Maxwell Medallion for Excellence in Writing: in 2019 for “Excellence” in Fiction Writing for her “Hope’s Haven” short story published in AmericanPet Magazine; in 2017 for “Excellence” for her Red Nose Day photograph and poster design, and in 2016 for “Excellence” for her FiveSibes blog articles on her rescue dogs.

In 2019, she received the Grey Muzzle Award for “Excellence in
Writing/Media for the Plight of Senior Dogs” on an episode of her show, “The Sibe Vibe” on Dog Works Radio.

Dorothy was named AmericanPet Magazine’s “Best in Print Author” 2015 through 2019, and “Best Author” in 2015 and 2016 by Hudson Valley Magazine.

Canine Epilepsy Advocate and Ambassador
 
Inspired by her Epi-dog, Gibson, and their journey together, Dorothy founded the #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Awareness Campaign to bring awareness, hope, and information to others about dogs living with Canine Epilepsy. In 2018, she was invited to partner with Purple Day® Every Day as presented by The Anita Kaufmann Foundation for her #Paws4Purple campaign, the first canine epilepsy awareness initiative with an international epilepsy organization.
 
 
Dorothy has raised funds for the Epil-K9 Foundation, home to the Canine Epilepsy Resources and Epil-K9 List (www.canine-epilepsy.com) “Emma’s Seizure Fund” housed at the North Carolina State University (NCSU) College of Veterinary Medicine. Dorothy has also raised funds for The Wally Foundation for Canine Epilepsy, where she is a volunteer Case Manager helping other Epi-parents in need. Dorothy has conducted several Canine Epilepsy research surveys that she hopes will help with important information about dogs with Canine Epilepsy. She had collaborated with House Woof Dog Biscuits from Vermont on “Gibbie Snacks” and later Sassy’s Goodies for “Gib Nibs,” who both used Gibson as their model to develop wholesome dog treats specifically formulated with the Epi-dog in mind, and both made a donation to The Wally Foundation from sales of the treats in #LiveGibStrong’s name. The Wally Foundation’s mission is to offer possible financial assistance to rescues, fosters, and hu-parents of dogs diagnosed with idiopathic Canine Epilepsy. In April 2017, Dorothy was invited to do the welcome greeting to attendees for the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Canine Epilepsy Symposium.
 

Siberian Husky Rescue Advocate

 
 
In addition to her Canine Epilepsy advocacy work, Dorothy also strives to educate others about the Siberian Husky breed in the hopes of helping reduce the number that are surrendered to overcrowded shelters, and works closely with several Siberian Husky and northern breed dog rescues on behind-the-scenes projects, as well as with the ASPCA® on various dog health, breed, and safety advocacy media campaigns.
 
Professional Affiliations 
 
 
 

 

 


 
Volunteer Case Manager
 
 
FiveSibes in the Media!
 
Magazine Cover Dogs!



  
FiveSibes & FiveSibes Mom Featured in 
American Dog!


 

 FiveSibes Video Stars!
 

FiveSibes Siberian Huskies Star in Music Video

“Rev Me Up!” a/k/a “The Husky Dog Song!”

by Award-Winning Artist Nancy Simmonds

 

About the artist: Award-winning artist, Nancy Simmonds “The Dog Singer” of her Musical Tails label, has been composing dog breed songs since the early 1990’s, releasing more than 118 songs about various breeds, including the Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute! Nancy says she really enjoys the “process of learning the history of each dog, its terrain, the purpose for which it was bred, and then in many cases, I tried to study the music that came from the country of the dog’s origin. After years of writing ‘real songs’ in the music business it turned into a great big fun adventure.”

Nancy’s very successful career in music has spanned more than 35 years, and in 2010, she and her songwriting partner, recording artist Alannah Myles (“Black Velvet”), won the USA Songwriting Contest. However, Nancy has said that her passion is for her dog songs.  “I think these songs help pet owners celebrate and appreciate their four legged friends. It seems I could be busy for a long time recording all the registered breeds - and that that makes me one lucky writer! You can read more about Nancy and her songs at MusicalTails.com

I am so thrilled and honored to have my FiveSibes: Harley, Gibson, Wolf, Chloe, and Bandit, star in this beautiful video set to this wonderful song!

Enjoy!


 

Awards
 




 

 

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