Light a candle at 8 PM and join us and other snow dog families in unison across the world as we toast our beloved furangels. T he longest night is once again upon us...Winter Solstice, when the dark of night is long, but also means we begin our journey toward extended daylight. It is also a day of reflection of those who have snow dogs, or Arctic breeds, who have passed and now reside North of the Rainbow Bridge, where northern breed dogs go as the fields are forever snowy.   Says Brad Johnson of Northern Lights Sled Dog Rescue , " The Longest Night - An annual observance, celebrating the lives of some very special friends  I get asked often about the Longest Night. So here it is. About 25 or 30 years ago, I started setting aside the Winter Solstice as a day to remember all the amazing dogs I have been blessed to know. Most being Siberians, the first day of winter, glistening silver harnesses, and fresh snow just seemed appropriate.  Then, maybe 10 yea...

The North Carolina State Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab is exploring factors related to sleep and epilepsy in dogs.  If you'd like to possibly participate in this clinical trial study, simply fill out the pre-screening questionnaire HERE.   National Data Base of Pets With Epilepsy  Did you know you can sign up your Epi-dog on the NCSU-CVM Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab's National Data Base of Pets With Epilepsy? This information is kept confidential at the Lab, but this information is so helpful to them in the pursuit of Canine Epilepsy research. Fill out the questionnaire HERE.    Check out this important flyer from the Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab: Click on image above to view entire flyer.   For important Canine Epilepsy information, as well as ongoing Clinical Trials through the Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab at the North Carolina State University-College of Veterinary Medicine, visit their website HERE. Contact: Jul...

Epi-Star "Cheyenne"    Cheyenne with Hu-Dad, Mark       by Dorothy Wills-Raftery  Cheyenne was a beautiful eight-week-old Belgian Sheepdog when she became a member of Terry Kelley and Mark Pilant’s family in September 2009. “Months before, we had lost our first Belgian, Player, to cancer and wanted to honor his life by getting another Belgian,” explains Terry. “For the first five weeks with us, all was well. Cheyenne was a sweet puppy, played with our other dogs and was respectful of our cats. Then, at 13.5 weeks of age, she had her first focal seizure. We were out in our front yard, and I saw her suddenly become very unsteady and start to wobble. It was over in 10 seconds. Part of me dismissed it as just being a clumsy puppy, but part of me knew it was something more.” Four days later, Terry explains how she and her husband were in their front yard with Cheyenne videotaping her puppy antics, “when she suddenly froze, became disoriented, and started to sh...

Gibson: My Forever 💜 Dog, K9 Hero, and Epi-Star!   As November and (Canine Epilepsy Awareness Month comes to a close, I must highlight my Epi-Star, Gibson. Gibson was not only my heart dog, but he was the poster dog for enjoying life, even with Canine Epilepsy. Diganosed with idiopathic epilepsy shortly after his third birthday back in 2009, he and I embarked upon a journey that brought us to becoming ambassadors for epilepsy awareness. Along the way we met so many amazing people and Epidogs. I am honored to know expert veterinarians in the field, as well as directors of Canine Epilepsy organizations that help Epidogs. Through my journey with Gibson, I learned to take my lead from him as he embraced life with zest. He did not let epilepsy stop him! He was one of the happiest, silliest, most beautiful soulful dogs I have ever known.    Gibson with the illustrated book about him, his epilepsy, and the FiveSibes!       And below is a video from the day Gibson...