This is Gibson's method of enjoying the weekend!

Please remember that this weekend there will be many Fourth of July activities going on across the country and we should be considerate of our pets and how the sights and sounds of fireworks can affect them. While our Huskies seem not to mind the fireworks, our late Chelsey had a terrifying fear of them. If your canine companion is fearful, here are a few tips we have updated from last year's post to help ease pets' anxieties during this loudly festive holiday: 1 ) Definitely do not expose them to the great fireworks show in the sky. They will not enjoy it, even if you will. 2) Do not “reward” them for scared behavior as this will only make it worse. 3) Do not scold them for their fretful behavior, it’s not their fault they feel scared. 4) Sometimes there may have been something in the dog’s past that scared him/her. Before a loud event, try positive-reinforcement by having him near you and test out different sounds – for example: a bottle opening, a drum banging, ...

Our "Bandit" a/k/a "BandaBear" intently bug watching one night under  the light on our back deck. Sky Blue Eyes by JoJo You made my world blue Its as if you made my dreams come true It all changed when I saw your eyes Your passion, your strength and your light All in those beautiful sky blue eyes... It’s a memory that I will never forget Giving you my love is something I will never regret I believe in you because I can read it in your eyes Those precious eyes that never lie My life was in the shadows but you came and made everything shine Because of you I look more up to the sky It reminds me of your blue eyes...

Sibe Sisters and cancer patients Zen and Freya "Dare to reach out your hand into the darkness, to pull another hand into the light. " ~Norman B. Rice We read a lot of wonderful stories about our love for animals, their daily antics, how much joy they bring into our lives, tips on how to keep them healthy and live longer lives, the jobs they do such as search and rescue, therapy, police work, bomb sniffing, and assisting the blind. Through these amazing animals, we also get a glimpse into the lives of the wonderful, caring folks who are their handlers, and those who run rescues and help animals in need. Then sometimes we come across stories of "pawing it forward," where the humans can actually use a little help while they are helping pets in need. And sometimes, by reaching out to ask help from others, something wonderful happens...we just may wind up helping others along the way. Such is the story of Zen and Freya.   The pet blogging network is an amazin...

Wolf, my assistant blog editor, busy at work. Today was National Take Your Dog to Work Day (TYDTWD) ! Did you pack your sweet furkid a nice lunch and take him or her (or all) with you for a day at the office? Whether you work from home, at a business, or out in the field, what do you like best about bringing your canine companion with you? If you did, and you have some photos of your dog "working" today, stop over at the FiveSibes' Facebook page and post them, we'd love to see them!  The first Take Your Dog to Work Day occurred in 1999, by Pet Sitters International . Their goal was to "celebrate the great companions dogs make and to encourage their adoption from humane societies and breed rescue clubs." The hope is employers will open up their businesses to welcome in our furpals and celebrate the bond we share with our pets while promoting pet adoption. Bandit checks Facebook while on break. While my day work office does not participate in TYDTWD...

Today marked the Summer solstice in the northern part of the hemisphere, and that means the dog days of summer are close behind. With today being the “longest” day of summer, that means furpals had the chance to squeeze in more snoozes, romps in the yard, and dips in the pool than any other day this summer! And just how did the term “dogs days of summer” originate? It goes back to ancient times when folks looked toward the heavens and visually connected the stars to form images, now known as the constellations. Different cultures saw the stars take shape of different “pictures,” including dogs. The dog star, or “Sirius,” derived from an Ancient Greek word meaning glowing. Sirius is one of the brightest stars that is said to have risen and set with the sun during the summer period of June through September. And, according to The Summer Place , while the constellations have moved over time, the dog days of summer typically fall between early July and August, the hottest, most sultr...