--> Wolf and the FiveSibes ask, "Do you have a plan?" No one wants to think about something as horrific and scary as a disaster, ranging from fires to floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, tropical storms, lightning storms, explosions, and other accidents that may involve your pets. But we have to ask: Do you have an exit strategy? What if something happens and you cannot get home to your pet, do you have a designated caregiver? Do you have an emergency evacuation plan in place? How about an emergency kit? A list of pet-friendly shelters you and your family can go to? Do you have a water and food supply? Are your pets collars and leashes ready to go? What about if your pet has special needs and medications? While we hope we never have to initiate a Pet Disaster Preparedness Plan or ever use an Emergency Kit, it is such an important subject and one we would like to address in partnership with the ASPCA for September's Disaster Preparedness Month, a...

My sweet Epi-boy Gibson enjoying his new bed (that is perfectly Gibson-sized) from some dear friends ~ furangel Malachi Suthard (who was a fellow Epi-dog) ~ his wonderfully thoughtful parents Jim & Miedo.  Gibbie had a bit of a rough night Wednesday night getting sick (vomiting immediately after eating, being unsettled, and chronic panting even in the a/c) and today he enjoyed relaxing in my home office in the a/c in comfort on his palatial bed! He sends his heartfelt woos to Malachi's family.  My daughter sent me a link to the upcoming solar flares, and one of the articles noted that one occurred...Wednesday night! This led me to thinking... *Calling All Epi-Dog (Canine Epileptic) Parents for Some Discussion Time!* I know some other Epi-guardians have mentioned the recent occurrence of solar flares and atmospheric conditions as having possible effects on their Epi-dogs. One reportedly occurred (Wednesday, September 10). So here is my discussion top...

 "I walked out of the Trade Center that first night with more respect than I'd ever had for (Bear). And I respected him more than anybody I know. I knew that I could always count on  him. Every few years we need to remember that dogs are a man's best friend. And that they talk to us. They tell us what they need, but they also tell us what we need. And they'll protect us. And sometimes keep us safe." ~Captain Scott Shields, Handler of 9/11 SAR Dog "Bear" Thirteen years ago.  Babies are now teenagers. Children are now adults. The new Freedom Tower stands at One World Trade Center. A museum has been built and is now filled with moments frozen in time honoring all those we lost, as memories will always fill the hearts of the families and friends of the victims lost on September 11, 2001. Among the heroes that day and the days following, are the four-legged ones: Search-And-Rescue (SAR) dogs who reported dutifully to the scene with their handlers an...

Gibson and his pal "Odie"in an ode to  "Tongue-Out-Tuesday!"  Wait...whose tongue is that?   (Did you have to do a double-take?! I did when I saw this!)

  "Wooo! My name is Cash...and I'm waiting for you! Aren't I cutie? If you love Siberian  Huskies, are familiar with our breed (yes, we can be tricky little Huskies), have time, love, and, energy to spare...I'm just the boy for you!" Just like "the man in black" Johnny Cash, which is who Cash was named after, he has a story to tell, too! Maybe there will be a song written about him! Now wouldn't that be cool...and if one of you wonderful folks would foster or adopt him, we can give his song a happy ending! And you can help...even if you can't foster or adopt Cash, you can share his story! And as our motto here at the FiveSibes has always been: A little about Cash...he's just a pup - about a year young - and would love a family of his own to play with and grow up with. He was rescued from the North Carolina heat, where he was chained up short, many times without food or water. His fur was matted, flea-infested, and burned but ...

  Back-to-School season is here! Even though summer Backpack's on - Bandit's ready to go! is not officially over in many areas for another few weeks, it's time for alarm clocks, homework, and after-school activities. After spending all summer together playing and lazing around the yard, the excitement of back-to-school can translate into stress for our family pets. To help pets adjust to the sudden empty-house syndrome, try preparing them a few days before if you can. Here are just a few tips to help make the transition a bit smoother: "I don't want to get up early!" Let  your dog escort your child with you to the bus stop, the corner, or ride along in the car if you drive your child to school. Keep the mood upbeat. We know how dogs pick up on our moods and energies. Let your children tell their furbaby that they will be back after school to play. They really do understand. Let the radio or TV play...

Wow! The saying "time flies" sure does apply here with our FiveSibes Flashback Friday 's! Looking back, the last time I posted one was eight months ago in December, four days before Gibson, my Epi-Husky who also suffers from weak hind end issues (as a result of his Epi-meds), slipped and fell on a patch of snow-covered ice Christmas Eve and went lame and scared not only me, but himself this time as wel l. He was in pain. His fighting spirit lost. His spark gone (story HERE ). At the time, I needed to step back away from blogging to help my boy rehabilitate, which was a tough and uncertain road for him. He began a slow, long process of healing via Conservative Care with a stability leg brace, lift harness, bed rest, meds, vitamin supplements, massage, and in-home laser treatments. Gibson's rehabilitation has been a slow process, but as days turned into weeks, his fighting spirit and spark returned. With every positive step he took, he reveled in his praise from ...