Why is Gibson's Pumpkin Purple?

Halloween is right around the corner and here’s our Gibson with his new purple pumpkin.

A Purple pumpkin? Pumpkins are orange! 

So you may be asking, "Why is Gibson’s pumpkin purple?" 

Do you know why?

"I'm an Epi-Husky, that's why!"

Gibson’s pumpkin is purple because he is an Epi-dog ~ a dog with Canine Epilepsy. And his form of epilepsy is called idiopathic, meaning they could never determine a specific cause for the onset of his seizures. And, purple is the color of epilepsy awareness. 

So, with a little help from Gib and his love, Harley, we are participating in the Purple Pumpkin Project.

What is the Purple Pumpkin Project?

According to Epilepsy.com (home of Epilepsy Foundation® and Epilepsy Therapy Project), the Purple Pumpkin Project is the brainchild of founder Ron Lamontagne, whose youngest son was diagnosed with epilepsy at age four. “While on a drive through Connecticut one Sunday morning with his family (Ron) was brainstorming ideas on how to spread epilepsy awareness. The local pumpkin patch provided the solution. Since kids would soon be carving and decorating pumpkins, he thought why not make one purple and tell people about epilepsy when asked, ‘Why is your pumpkin purple?’” So in September 2012, Ron launched the Purple Pumpkin Project on Facebook to bring awareness to epilepsy.

  

"Why is your pumpkin purple?"

On Halloween, October 31, the eve of National Epilepsy Awareness Month, the Purple Pumpkin Project and Epilepsy Foundation of America encourages folks to go out and paint a pumpkin purple, share information about seizures and epilepsy, and join in their online Facebook event (click HERE to join - and be sure to tell them FiveSibes sent you over!)
 

November, as  many of you know, is a time when, as many of you know, Gibson and I strive to spread the word about awareness and educate folks about dogs living with Canine Epilepsy and seizure disorders, encourage folks to not be afraid to adopt a dog with seizures, and to hopefully encourage people to learn all they can about seizures so they don't drop the dog off to the nearest (already overcrowded) shelter. Once upon a time, euthanasia was the recommended course of action for dogs with seizures, and that is so NOT the case any more! There are many resources, and much support and information now available to help pet parents navigate the mysterious, and yes scary, waters of having a dog with seizures. My message to you is this: You are not alone.

"Gib - have any treats in that purple pumpkin?"

As part of our ongoing FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong K-9

Epilepsy Awareness Campaign, we have joined the Purple Pumpkin Project to spread the word even more that dogs can ~ and DO ~ live happy, full lives with Canine Epilepsy. We hope you will join in, too, in the effort of spreading awareness about epilepsy, both in humans and canines.

"Nom-nomm...treats!"

Yes, we want to see your Purple Pumpkin photos! Share your canine companion’s purple pumpkin photos with us and we’ll create a lovely slideshow video that we will post online to support Ron’s Purple Pumpkin Project. Post your pet's purple pumpkin photos, name & state/country on or by Saturday, November 8th on our FiveSibes: Siberian Husky K9 News & Reviews Facebook community page's wall or Email them to us by November 5th at FiveSibesLiveGibStrong(at)gmail(dot)com 

and put “Purple Pumpkin Pics” in the subject line. And don’t forget to share your pics on the Purple Pumpkin Project Facebook page, too!

So when you are sitting down to carve pumpkins this year, why not make one purple and then, when asked, how will you answer the question, “Why is my pumpkin purple?”

"We love pumpkins, especially purple ones."  

#LiveGibStrong

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