We are so very excited here at the FiveSibes homestead! Harley has been wooing up a storm with some big news...my second FiveSibes illustrated children's book Getting Healthy With Harley: Learning About Health & Fitness has been published! And our alpha queen is so excited about starring in her own book! Think a canine version of Julian Michaels meets Jennifer Beals' character in the 1983 movie, Flashdance! And Harley wants to know if you'd like to know what else is cool about this book? I'll be donating a portion of proceeds, after the cost of production, to help Siberian  Huskies in need through the Save Our Siberians Siberspace Rescue Fund ! Do I hear a "Woo-Woo?!"   The adorable front and back covers of my newest FiveSibes™ Tale! To order Getting Healthy With Harley , visit our  ArcticHouse Publishing website store! Michelle Littler With all the fun surrounding the release of this book, I thought our fans and followers would ...

Stay tuned for Harley's big exciting news to be announced on Newsy Tuesday! Can you guess what it is?!

This is what happens when humans get bored cleaning closets and one of our furkids just happened to be hanging out nearby, innocently watching...when suddenly... ...the hats come out... ...the sunglasses come out... ...and the thought occurs... "What IF my dog could take selfies? What would they be like?" BOL!   Thanks, Gib, for being such a good sport! Happy Sunday, Everyone!

It's spring. Everything is turning green. Lots of great things for an adventurous dog to do in the backyard. Trees are budding. Bugs to chomp. Maple roots (or canine Pixies Stix as I like to refer to them) to chew and suck on. Birds and squirrels to chase. And delicious Stinging Nettles leaves to munch on.   NOT! Oh, these green leafy innocent looking plants suddenly grow up and tantalize the canine nose, tricking them into coming over and taking a chomp and then seriously regretting it. Now while these plants can be cooked up and are apparently delectable in some recipes (sorry, we'll skip it and just take folks' word for it), the little "stinger" hairs on the leaves and stems that are called "trisomes" and they release  histamine and  acetylcholine, two chemicals which causes a contact dermatitis when touched by people and pets, and it really hurts and burns when touched, which is certainly enough to deter me from tangling with them.  Photo ...

Wooo! It's a very special day here at the FiveSibes homestead...it's Hu-Dad's Birthday! Wooo! He's a special dad who takes care of everything behind the scenes the FiveSibes need. He helps with their rehab, carries them when their legs won't, picks up their dog food, buys them super-duper cushy beds, shares his pizza crust with them, meets Hu-Mom at the vet's when she needs an extra set of strong arms, and is always there to give love and support to whatever they need, and maybe fixes just a few things they may (ahem) chew, break, destroy, eat.  Chewed up window sill? No problem! Hu-Dad will fix it! Rain getting them wet on the deck? No problem! Hu-Dad builds a roof! They need to go to the vet surgeon? No problem! Hu-Dad offers to drive them. Hu-Mom can't fit their pools in her car? No problem! Hu-Dad to the rescue! Wooos for attention? No problem! Hu-Dad is there to pet, play, and wrestle! He sure is the best Hu-Dad ever! Now...did someone say... ...

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This month's issue of National Geographic , features a U.S. War Dog - hero  "Layka" - and her touching story of being a K9 soldier "...shot four times at point blank range..." while on duty in Afghanistan, and how she saved the life of  her handler, Staff Sgt. Julian McDonald,  and their team. it also tells of how Staff Sgt. McDonald fought to adopt Layka and bring home - his friend, his partner, his protector. Gibson and Harley love this War Dog issue of Nat Geo. Lots of info.  Don't miss viewing the touching video of Layka's story in this month's issue of National Geographic as told by her handler, Staff Sgt. McDonald here: The Dogs of War - Video: A Soldiers Best Friend There is also a very touching video featuring veterans of the Vietnam War talking about their K9 partners. The sad part, 4,000 dogs were sent over, and only about 200 made it back home during that time. Thankfully, in 2000, "Robby's Law" w...