I just recently read an article on Petplace.com about how pets help their owners deal with stress. There is much documented proof of how pets help reduce blood pressure, cheer up the elderly, help the ill, etc., of which I wholeheartedly concur. Recently, I have had to deal with some things that have sent my stress levels soaring. You know, when one of life's wake-up calls come screaming, "Hey, you, it’s time to think about you ." Now, it’s my ingrained personality to always think of and help others first. This "me" thing is not my thing. So, naturally, it begs the question, "How do I learn to reduce stress and learn to live with it in a healthier manner?" Well, thanks to both my Hu-family and my Sibe-family (and the cat that adopted us!), I’m learning some answers that work best for me. First, I’m blessed to have a great immediate family. And then there are our Sibes and our cat. The Sibes automatically hone right in on when on...

And just what do you think these two Sibe siblings were talking about??? Possibly something like this... "Bandit, it was so funny. Wooo-woooo!" "What was so funny,Gib?" "The prank. The April Fools' Day prank." "What did woo do, big brother??? Tell me, tell me!" "I told your sister I ate the last salmon treat....oh, woo-woo...her expression was priceless!" "Did woo, did woo???" "Did I what?" "Did woo eat the last salmon treat?" "No, little girl. It was a joke." "Ohhh. But, that wasn't funny...." "Guess woo had to be there."   Thought for the day:   "He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever."--Chinese Proverb Happy April Fools' Day from the FiveSibes!  

We have begun the official spring bath days, full-well knowing that the rainy season has arrived in this area. But, we have to start somewhere, right? So, Gibson was the first candidate. We are very fortunate that we have a terrific groomer. He used to work for our vet and that is how he was recommended to us. We previously took our Sibes to get their grooming done out-of-house, but with our groomer—ready for this??? He does house calls – how cool is that??? He knows my “kids” and just how to handle each one. With Gib, we always keep an extra eye on him afterwards to be sure the excitement and stress of a bath doesn’t bring on any seizures. Gibson is my epileptic (diagnosed a year ago) and he currently weighs in at 107 pounds. (I think that may be some sort of world record weight for a Siberian Husky.)  His seizures are controlled by meds, and since then, he has gained 13 pounds. I have placed him on a special diet, and our vet has given him a thumbs-up as being healthy and muscula...

So, we've all seen the photo of my "Mud Monster." Here is a side-by-side comparison of the very same Sibe...I kid you not! What a difference a day makes! Well, that is at least until tomorrow when we get the forecasted rains (we had a whole one day of rain relief) and then the "Mud Monster" cometh again!!! I better get those ShamWows ready (they are fantastic, by the way). To all our furry friends, here's hoping you and your Hu-families have a wonderful, fun-filled, mudless night!

March Madness here at the "Double H" does not mean basketball, it translates to March Mud ness, and pretty much means chaos. Just check out my boy, whose AKC name is Wolfgang "White Wolf" of Mystic Mountain, and yes, he is a registered Pure White Siberian Husky. Honest. Now, while I'm looking at his adorable, "I'm sorry, Mom" face, with those bright blue eyes jumping right out through that lovely shade of mud, I'm wondering if the Siberian Husky Club ever came up with a name for the shades of these spring markings...? We have our official Black & White, Gray & White (including Wolf Gray and Silver Gray), Red & White, Sable & White, Agouti & White, and of course, Pure White. Maybe it's time for some seasonal color names, too, like Yuck Brown, Muddy Mink, Soak-Me Sepia, etc. Either way, Mom loves her Mud Monster...and the groomer even more! Did someone say "snow???"

Well, spring has officially sprung today, and it is most welcome! Well, at least by our Hu-family. Our FiveSibes, on the other hand, I think are still dreaming of a fluffy white backyard! With the arrival of spring with its longer days and warmer weather, there is much more time for Husky fun: later hours for play, car rides with the windows open, ice cream, and pool season is just around the corner, so they will be very happy Huskies even without the snow. Pictured here is my wooly boy, Gibson (way too cool in his shades), all set and ready to go for his walk in the sun...well, that is as soon as he gets his comfy self off the couch! Let's all remember that with the nice weather, also comes specific care issues for our Sibes...as with all pets. For us Hu-family members, that means no slacking off on the heartworm preventatives; keeping up with flea/tick/mosquito control; watching out for stagnant pools of water (that are so prominent this time of year) to prevent Giardia, and keep...