Purple Day® Blog Hop is Here! Show Us Your Purple in Support of Those Living With Epilepsy


Today is Purple Day® for Epilepsy and World Epilepsy Day™. As many of you loyal readers are aware, my Gibson was, is, and always will be my inspiration behind our FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Awareness campaign and Canine Epilepsy advocacy. 


What is Purple Day? 

Here is a short video that will help explain it all...but know, it's credited to a 9-year-old girl named Cassidy Megan who wanted to have a special day for others like herself, who live with Epilepsy, to know that people around the world care, and there should be no stigmas or fear attached to Epilepsy. I whole-heartedly agree, and want to add the very same goes for our canine companions. Please take a moment and watch the video if you have not yet had the chance to view. And be sure to check out the end credits for a condensed list of Canine Epilepsy informational resources. (A more extensive list is in my book, EPIc Dog Tales).





Gibson, the Face of Canine Epilepsy & #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Awareness Campaign

For my new readers, and to recap, Gibson was diagnosed shortly after his third birthday in 2009. I have written much about our journey together over the years, sharing our experiences, Gibson's amazing determination and his constant rehab from side effects due to the Epi-medications, as well as stories of other Epi-dogs, adoptable Epi-dogs, and valuable information on seizures and Canine Epilepsy. My beautiful wooly warrior boy who loved to talk, give me Gibbie kisses, do the Gib hip-hop dance, and have an understanding and connection with me second to none. Our bond was unbreakable. There was no road too rough for him to travel, if I asked. He was feeling wonderful...just rehabbed (again) from weak hind issues and a fall on the ice, and was back to running and feeling good...and then one night, he collapsed. Not from seizures, but rather from the sneaky beast called cancer. Hemangiosarcoma to be exact. He fought gallantly for a week, with home care and IVs, but when he went in for surgery on his bleeding spleen, the cancer was discovered, and it metastasized, including a hidden orange sized tumor. So... my brave, beautiful, fluffy spirit guide, slipped peacefully on to his next journey. He will always be by my side, and as I always say, he is proof that dogs with Canine Epilepsy can and do live full, happy lives for however long we are blessed to have them. Gibson sure did.



Gibson inspired me every single day. I learned that when the going gets tough...keep going. Just like he did. I became an official Purple Day Ambassador in 2012, and joined The Wally Foundation as a volunteer case manager to help guide and support others who have dogs with seizures. He was the spark behind both of my books on Canine Epilepsy that I wanted to write to help others understand and not be afraid. 

Through my books, the illustrated children's FiveSibes Tale, What's Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy and my EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy (ArcticHouse Publishing), and our first benefit auction, we have raised over $3,200 for Canine Epilepsy research and assistance. Since I pay for all the work on my books myself, and for the publication, I am so proud that we were able to make these donations to day, and that is also thanks to all of you who helped support this cause by purchasing* the books! 


*Books are available through ArcticHouse Publishing, with links to Amazon. Please always be sure on Amazon that the seller is ArcticHouse to be sure you have us! A portion of my books will always be donated to the Epil-K9 Foundation, home of the Epil-K9 List and Canine Epilepsy Resources, for the "Emma's Seizure Fund" at the North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

What Are We Doing For Purple Day? 

A Blog Hop!

I am proud to announce that here at FiveSibes, in Gibson's honor I am hosting our 3rd Annual FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Awareness Purple Day Blog Hop to promote awareness and help support both humans and canines (and horses, cats, and bunnies) who live with Epilepsy, and to let them know they are not alone in their journeys. I am pleased to pair up with co-hosts and fellow Epi-dog hu-moms, Kimberley Matchem and her handsome "Rolo" from Confessions of a Rescue Mom and Jeanaann Barnaby and beautiful "Olivia" from Knotty Toys for Good Dogs. Grab our badge down below, follow the linky directions below, and let's show the world our purple! The Blog Hop will stay open until 11:59 PM EST on March 31st, so spread the word!

A Radio Show! 

Today, I am also taping the newest episode of my show "The Sibe Vibe" on Dog Works Radio and in honor of Purple Day, my guest is Margit Maxwell, trainer and canine behavior specialist for Siberian Huskies and Malamutes, and an Epi-dog parent. Margit is also the author of The Divine Dog Project on Facebook. We will be discussing the important correlation between zinc deficiency and seizures on today's show. You can tune in live HERE at 1 PM EST. If you can't join us live, I will be posting the permalink here after the show so you can check back and listen in at your convenience. It will also be available on iTunes under the Dog Works Radio family of shows.

A K9 Epilepsy Book Giveaway!
 
 
Also, in honor of Purple Day, you can have the opportunity to *win* a copy of my beautiful resource book, EPIc Dog Tales. Just pop over to Kings River Life Magazine, read my latest article, and at the end you can find out how you can enter to win a copy of this book every pet owner should have on their library shelf. For more details, please visit HERE. Instructions on how you can enter are at the end of the article. *Drawing is April 1*





 
Raising Funds to Help Epi-Dog Families!
And...don't forget about Gibson's namesake "Gibbie Snacks" from House Woof Dog Biscuits in Vermont. They were his favorite treat and were created by the chef and nursing masters at House Woof based on Gibson's diet and with the nutritional diet of the Epi-dog in mind. 


No preservatives, salt (important for Epi-dogs who may be on Potassium Bromide), or rosemary - ever! Just organic ingredients such as beef puree, cooked green beans, carrots, sweet potatoes, fresh parsley,  and oatmeal. Yum! And as if it couldn't get any better...House Woof donates $1/bag purchased to The Wally Foundation~Canine Epilepsy, a non-profit organization that offers possible financial assistance for much-needed medications to families, rescues, and fosters of Epi-dogs. To find out more about Gibbie Snacks, visit HERE. 

And Co-Hosting a Facebook Event!

We'd love for you to share your Purple Day pics with us over on our Purple Day for Epilepsy 2017 Facebook event page HERE, also hosted by FiveSibes, Confessions of a Rescue Mom, and Knotty Toys for Good Dogs! 


For more info on Purple Day, please visit www.PurpleDay.org ~and~ www.PurpleDayEveryDay.org.




What are You and Your Pet Doing for Purple Day?

Please tell us in the comments below, and join in our Blog Hop!




Time to Hop! Grab Our Blog Hop Badge!


And please be sure to link to us!

Thanks for joining us in spreading the word that dogs who live with Epilepsy are amazing...and they can and do live happy lives!

 

Comments

  1. Thank you for continuing to spread awareness to this great cause!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by and supporting Purple Day! <3

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  2. You and Angel Gibson sure started quite the movement to get rid of this evil disease.

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    Replies
    1. I sure hope so! And I hope the movement continues strongly until one day we hear the words, "We found a cure!" Thank you, Brian, for all your support.

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  3. Our post in recognition of Purple Day appeared on our blog today. Thank you for all your efforts informing everyone about this event and especially for all the canine info to all Epi-warriors. ღ

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  4. Mom still has a hard time thinking about sweet Ciara. We hope one day no human or furry has to endure the horror of a seizure.

    Woos - Lightning and Misty

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  5. So nice to see the pictures of Gibson today. What a beautiful boy ... We are proud to be participating in #purpleday!

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  6. Thank you for spreading awareness, I have learnt a lot from you and really appreciate it

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