Category: From the Heart

And now for something different

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 38 Comments
Five Sibes Book badgeToday we are doing something different from our usual fare, we’re reviewing a book written by the award winning author, Dorothy Wills-Raftery. Dorothy is one of the premier lay people on canine epilepsy and one with whom I became acquainted with nearly 10 years ago following the rescue of Elsa, my Standard Poodle shortly after her epilepsy diagnosis came following her adoption. Elsa has now been a “Ninja Angel” for 5 months (gosh…where has the time gone?) and not a day goes by that I don’t think about her and still miss her every single day. Dorothy’s blog and all the resources she shared got me through some dark times trying to help keep Elsa well and live a good life despite the diagnosis. She made me realize that epi-dogs can live great lives despite the diagnosis. I shall forever be grateful for her support, knowledge and shared resources.
When Elsa passed away in early Spring, it was shortly thereafter that Dorothy released her latest book “Wolfie, What Is The Rainbow Bridge?” When Dorothy hosted a promotional drawing for a copy of the book, I entered, never imaging that I’d win and was beyond honored and thrilled to receive a copy, especially given that my great granddaughter’s own pup is now showing her age and our family will need for a loving explanation once Nala earns her wings. Knowing how hard Elsa’s passing was on me as an adult, I was thrilled to see a book written expressly for children to help them cope with this life inevitability. The fact that it was written by one of my favorite people in Blogville who just happens to be an award winning author and one of the kindest humans I know…well, I knew a review was in order and think this lovely and gentle book could be a wonderful resource to share with any small child when the time comes to address the loss of a pet.
When it arrived, I was excited to try to read it to my great granddaughter but being the independent little miss that she is, she sat down and carefully went through each page as if she was reading its message on her own.
Wilson also took a gander and was particularly smitten with Dorothy’s co-author, her 7 year old grandson.
This book is ever so gentle and handles a tough topic about the passing of a beloved pet with the little people in our lives. I was quite touched at how thoughtful and tender it approached the subject. At just 50 pages it’s a small enough book to keep young readers engaged and it’s beautifully illustrated with precious photos as well as questions to answer that will help process the loss of a pet.
I cannot recommend this lovely book more. In the US, as adults we tend to gloss over the topic of death and it can be a challenge on how one should explain it to a child when their companion earns its wings. This book will make that hard topic more understandable on an emotionally charged subject.

About Dorothy Wills-Raftery:

Dorothy is a PhotoJournalist, Romance Author, K9 Author, Children’s Book Author and Editor
Romance Author at Woman’s World
Author – Chicken Soup for the Soul Book Series & Rosie the Riveter Book Series
Author/Creator FiveSibes.com
Book Author of the following:
Wolfie, What is the Rainbow Bridge?
EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living and Loving Life with Canine Epilepsy
Getting Healthy With Harley: Learning About Health & Fitness
What’s Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy
Buddy, The Christmas Husky: Based on a True Holiday Miracle
Dorothy has been published in these publications:
Petful, 4Knines, AmericanPet Magazine, Hudson Valley Paw Prints
Sled Dogger Magazine, Kings River Life Magazine, The Wedding Journal, In Focus Magazine, Ulster Magazine, Times Herald-Record
The Daily Freeman
She is the Founder/Author of #LiveGibStrong 💜 K9 Epilepsy Awareness & Education and a recipient of DWAA Maxwell Medallion “Excellence” for FiveSibes Blog & #LiveGibStrong K9 Epilepsy Resource Library and author of #Paws4Purple initiative for PurpleDay®️ Every Day/Anita Kaufmann Foundation and is an International PurpleDay®️ for K9 Epilepsy Ambassador Since 2012

Live, love, bark! 🐾 💜 🐾

National Pet Memorial Day ~ 2025

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 62 Comments

Wait…what…isn’t today a Tuesday? So what kind of sorcery is this where we post something on a Tuesday, you ask? Well today is a most special day. It’s Norman’s second heavenly birthday and simultaneously it’s World Pet Memorial Day so we just couldn’t not post today.

According to the National Day Calendar, every second Tuesday in June is designated as a day where pet owners can remember their precious fur angels. The fact that it falls on his actual birthday made it seem all the more poignant in preparing a post. Today’s celebration is also an opportunity for people to do something kind for those who have recently lost their beloved pet.

Norman’s legacy continues to surface at some of the most unexpected times. Last week, Wilson and I needed to attend a meeting at Lutheran and were greeted by a group of staff in the coffee shop who squealed “ooh, it’s Norman!” and came running up to us. There was a bit of a sharp stab to my heart but I smiled and noted that the floof now on the end of my leash was actually Wilson and let them know that Norman had passed. They were saddened to learn about Norman but luckily Wilson distracted them with a nice butt wiggle along with his own way of gaining attention that encouraged them to focus on the current floof. Obviously it wasn’t as simple for me but I was grateful they remembered my big guy and I was happy they fawned over the new guy. I thanked them for welcoming Wilson and then we headed on to our meeting. But Norman continued to occupy space in my heart and recalled some of the more memorable visits we shared. He was so beloved in the short few years that he brought joy to everyone at Lutheran. I know people are enjoying Wilson’s presence as he’s stepped nicely into the role that was paved by the extra-special therapy dog before him. I continue to hope Wilson brings as many smiles and joy to staff and patients as his predecessor did but I know the love affair with the sheepdogs all began with Norman being one of the most mellow and sweetest dogs to ever grace the hospital’s program.

Happy heavenly birthday, sweet boy. Sure do miss you, big fella. You’ll always occupy a special place in my heart. Love ya.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

The Ranch Hands Wish for 2025

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 75 Comments

Greetings and salutations. Wilson and Elsa here to express our sincere hope that your 2025 will be a canvas filled with beautiful moments along with a palette of vibrant experiences for you and your good pet. Cheers to a year that’s safe, healthy and full of joy with a few tasty treats.

Happy New Year.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ December 30, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 64 Comments

Today is the last Monday of 2024 and as we prepared to close the door on the year, we are reminded of the pets who have departed. Many thanks to Ann at Zoolatry for sharing her lovely badge acknowledging this day.

We think of our own Angels every day but especially today and send tender thoughts of comfort to all who have lost a beloved pet. Till we meet again, Norman, Sam, Puck, and Eliot. I love and miss you.

And even as we recall past pets who brought immense joy to our hearts,  Monday just isn’t Monday around the Ranch without a smile and given the time of year, this one seemed definitely appropriate. Whether you make annual New Year’s resolutions or set actual goals with a definitive plan to achieving them, we hope you’re resolved to start out the day with a smile.

Live, love, bark!  🐾

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day ~ 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 72 Comments

Anyone who’s owned a pet knows all too well the pain of losing that special companion, but they continue to live in our hearts yet every once in a while, something you see or hear reminds you of them in an especially significant way. Today is the day we honor and remember them through Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day. Not a day goes by where I can’t imagine any day that went by over the past 4 years where I don’t recall my two most recent angels.

How did this day come about you ask?  The day was created by author Deborah Barnes as a way for people to share their memories of the pets that were lost after she had to say goodbye to her kitty, Mr. Jazz back on August 28, 2013. Deborah published a heartfelt book detailing the journey of letting Mr. Jazz go, called “Purr Prints of the Heart – A Cat’s Tale Of Life, Death and Beyond” wherein she expressed her feelings and the anguish she felt.

Reaction to the book was profound and Deborah realized other pet owners shared a similar journey when they lost theirs. Then in 2015, Deborah created Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day as a chance for people everywhere to share their stories and memories of pets who were loved and lost.

These two sweet and precious Angels remain missed ever so much.

My Angel Knucklehead, Sam
Precious and adorable, Norman

So today, I can’t be remiss by not acknowledging and honoring other beloved pet such as my beloved McKenzie, the black standard poodle who was rescued from the Denver Dumb Friends. He was one of the most fun, loving companions who made me laugh countless times over his 13 years with me. He passed on August 29, 2002, shortly after I moved into my current home so today is particularly poignant.

The Three Amigos-McKenzie, Eliot & Crosby

There was Eliot, my first sheepdog, also adopted from the Denver Dumb Friends who introduced me to the Old English Sheepdog breed and Crosby, the lovable Airedale/shepherd/mastiff mix who had the goofiest mohawk and who also was an epi-warrior, passing away far too soon. He taught me so much about the condition which has definitely benefited Elsa. Puck, my second Old English Sheepdog was also rescued from the Denver Dumb Friends two years after Eliot was adopted, after she had been taken away from an abusive family. That girl was a pill of a dog if ever there was one and the cleverest counter surfer I’ve ever known.

Puck (l) and Eliot (r)

All these special dogs brought a deep richness into my life and I still miss them all through tears, smiles and memories from our time together. I’m a better human for having had each one of them in my life.

Hope you take a moment to recall the beloved pets from your life, especially today.

Live, love, bark ❤️‍🩹

Celebrating August Friends

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 64 Comments

Greetings sports fans, yeah, I know it’s not our usual day to post but I just couldn’t contain my excitement that our friends Ann and June from Zoolatry featured the House Pony on her blog today. Way to go Wilson, although I’m sure I would have been an equally pawsome feature subject. Elsa here, I’m very proud of my oaf of a brother, especially because he will begin bringing joy and smiles to all kinds of folks when he starts visiting the staff and patients at the new Lutheran facility which opened earlier this month. And a special shout out to dear Ann who created such fabulous badges-we love them both. Isn’t she amazing? Be sure to visit her website-she’s so creative and quite generous making badges of all types for the cats and dogs of Blogville. We are so very grateful to her for her work here and throughout Blogville. Way to go Ann!

Wilson’s Wagon will begin his probationary visits at the hospital next week and both Mom and he are so looking forward to bringing comfort to the folks at Lutheran. Once he completes his probationary period, he’s be awarded the purple scarf indicating he’s a full fledged pet therapy pooch. Couldn’t be more proud of the dude! Way to shine, “Intern Wilson.” You’re on your way to becoming a full fledged dogtor. And again, thanks every so much, Ann for doing an amazing job on today’s badges-you’re the best. That Denver skyline is the bomb! Don’t forget to drop by her truly wonderful blog. She’s the best!

Live, love, bark 🐾

Monday Musings ~ August 12, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 67 Comments

Good Monday Morning. In the words of John Oliver, welcome, welcome, welcome! We hope you had a good weekend and cheered for your team, be it during the Olympics (which thankfully have concluded) or your football team which started pre-season games. While I’ll admit to watching plenty of the Olympics, I missed 99% of the closing ceremonies. I did however regrettably saw Tom Cruise’s appearance surrounding the next Olympiad to be held in Los Angeles. Tom is looking a tad long in the tooth but I’m sure his Mission Impossible fans didn’t mind. I, however was a bit shocked at the spectacle. Call me cynical but I’m sure NBC will start promoting the games soon. The level of commercial advertising during the games was mind-numbing.

Before we share today’s smile, I want to take a moment to send positive thoughts to all those affected by the ungodly amount of rain that tropical storm Debby dumped all up and down the East Coast. We thank our friend, Ann at Zoolatry, who distilled all of our sincere thoughts for those impacted by sharing this badge to let folks know we’re keeping them in our thoughts and reminding them that we’re a community and continue to think of them. Kindness matters. Thanks Ann, for sharing your latest badge.

And now let’s turn to today’s smile. We hope your teamwork makes ‘pawsitive’ strides this week.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ August 5, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 59 Comments

After several attempts at trying to introduce the patriarch of the family to the newest editions, we finally were able to put it together this weekend. Five generations convened at my house with a bonus, my sister and her husband from Texas were visiting. I think it was easier to scheduling telephone conference calls with high level executives in multiple time zones across the world but it finally happened-everyone was in good health, good cheer and seemed to enjoy themselves even though it was crowded with so many people in my little house (and in several cases, partners/spouses snapping away).

We hope you had as fun a weekend as we did and all your encounters shared as many smiles. Happy Monday.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

World Purple Day ~ March 26, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 49 Comments

We don’t normally post on Tuesday’s but this year it seemed more important than ever to merit posting on a topic that is near and dear to my heart. Today we join our friends, Dorothy Wills-Raftery, the award-winning author, K9 Epilepsy Awareness Ambassador, and creator of the Five Sibes™️ blog along with CEO Olivia from Knotty Toys for Dogs  for this year’s annual celebration of Purple Day,® a global grassroots event created to increase epilepsy awareness throughout the world to dispel many of the common myths and fears associated with this neurological disorder. We can’t begin to thank Dorothy and Olivia enough for their ongoing advocacy, shared information and tips relating to seizures and epilepsy.

Purple Day® was created to reduce social stigmas many encounter while providing valuable assurance and resources to all those living with epilepsy by letting them know that they are not alone.  Purple Day® occurs every March 26 and honors all epi-warriors, be they 2 or 4-legged. Once again, we proudly support this event by wearing purple. As many of you know, Elsa, was diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy shortly after she was rescued in 2016 as a puppy mill survivor with unknown lineage, (her story can be read here). Supporting epilepsy awareness and education has become a no-brainer for me and I continue to be committed to learning as much as possible about this condition, how to effectively manage it while providing a safe and loving home for this special dog by bringing attention to the condition. We are truly fortunate that despite some of the recent stressors she’s experienced that could trigger a seizure, my favorite ‘Ninja’ {knock on wood} has been mostly seizure-free of late.

You woke me up for this?

So again for this year’s “Purple Day®” event you are invited to join us by wearing purple for everyone who is impacted by seizures and epilepsy. Please check out the Epilepsy Foundation’s website for useful information for people and pets who experience seizures with a worldwide resource database can be found here. 

Live, love, bark! ❤︎

Monday Musings ~ January 1, 2024

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 81 Comments

Let’s get this week started with a couple of smiles. As we bark out the old, we also bark in the new and hope you didn’t miss the ball drop.

We hope you managed to have a safe and peaceful celebration. Around the Ranch, fireworks were sadly prominent in the neighborhood, much to my chagrin and many stressed out pets. Fortunately a hockey game with its incumbent cheering and jeering as well as tightly closed windows helped keep Elsa reasonably at ease.  That said, I know there were many pets who were terrified so we send out a good thump on the head to those thoughtless uprights who used fireworks to celebrate.

One other but less annoying ritual associated with New Year’s is the making of resolutions.

But for me, this is the only resolution necessary in 2024. Do you make resolutions? If so…what was yours?

We wish your new year is filled with good health, love, and laughter. Elsa also hopes there are plenty of tasty treats. Happy New Year from both of us.

Live, love, bark! 🐾