Honoring Epi-Dogs on Purple Day® for (K9) Epilepsy AND a Very Special Announcement!

 

Today is the international Purple Day® for Epilepsy Awareness and, along with my Epi-Husky Gibson, I am very proud to be an official Ambassador for my third consecutive year. We join in the worldwide effort of bringing awareness, education, information, resources, and support to people about Canine Epilepsy. We also hope to help dispel some of the fear associated with seizure disorders and to let folks know they are not alone. We are here for you and hope we can successfully steer you in the right direction for assistance.

Gibson helping me post Canine Epilepsy information.

What is Purple Day?

According to PurpleDay.org, “Cassidy Megan created the idea of Purple Day in 2008, motivated by her own struggles with epilepsy. Cassidy's goal is to get people talking about epilepsy in an effort to dispel myths and inform those with seizures that they are not alone. The Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia (EANS) came on board in 2008 to help develop Cassidy's idea, which is now known as the Purple Day for Epilepsy campaign. In 2009, the New York-based Anita Kaufmann Foundation and EANS joined forces to launch Purple Day internationally.

I'd like to once again share my FiveSibes Purple Day® video: 

In Honor of Epi-Dogs & Epi-Angels Worldwide

We have a Purple Day for (K9) Epilepsy 2014 Photo Album over on our FiveSibes: Siberian Husky K9 News & Reviews Facebook page. It's a public community page, so even if you don't "do" Facebook, you are welcome to come visit and look around. We do hope you'll stop by and see these beautiful Epi-dogs from across the globe.

We are going to update our video for next year, so if you'd like your Epi-dog included, please Email a Purple Day photo, your dog's name, state & country to FiveSibesLiveGibStrong(at)gmail(dot)com 

and put "Purple Day 2015 Video" in subject line.

Gibson would like to remind anyone who would like to purchase a copy of our What's Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy book, a percentage of proceeds will be donated to the Canine Epilepsy Resources "Emma's Fund" through the North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine. To purchase a copy, visit our website store: ArcticHousePublishing.comwww.ArcticHousePublishing.com

 

I'd also like to take this opportunity to welcome House Wolf K-9 Dog Biscuits to the Purple Day Ambassadors! Representing Vermont, they have joined in the "Live Gib Strong" K-9 Epilepsy Awareness effort in many ways, including hosting a Purple Day event at their Edelweiss Bakery where they donated 100% of the proceeds from purple cupcakes, and 10% of the day's lunch, beverage, and pastry sales to The Wally Foundation for Canine Epilepsy that offers possible financial assistance to families, fosters, and rescues of dogs diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy. 

AND they also created the wholesome "Gibbie Snacks" -- my Gibson's namesake treat -- that with every bag purchased from their online store, House Wolf donates $1 to The Wally Foundation. What a great effort on behalf of Canine Epilepsy Awareness!

Tonight, I had the pleasure of precording our special Purple Day episode of my "The Sibe Vibe" with Susan Sehi-Smith of the White Dog Diary blog, who is also the president/founder of the Paws to People: Bridges to Cures organization, all about Canine Epilepsy, her furangel Epi-dog, The Mighty Quinn, comparative research studies, and her Paws to People. Lots of great information. We'll be posting the link to

the show on Sunday, March 30. (I will come back and update it here, too, so everyone can listen in at their leisure).


Here are of my two prior "The Sibe Vibe" Dog Works
Radio shows where we talk all about Canine Epilepsy featuring Marion Mitchell of the Canine Epilepsy Resources and co-owner of the EPIL-K9 list, and Rick Selwood of The Wally Foundation.

Listen to Marion's show HERE.

Listen to Rick's show HERE.

Many thanks also to fellow Blogger Love is being owned by a Husky blog for helping to promote Purple Day! Stop by and say hi - it's a great, fun blog to visit!

How Gibson Spent Purple Day...

 

Gibson spent Purple Day decked out in his purple bandana, giving me Gibbie kisses, sending good wishes to all his Epi- and non-Epi-pals, getting his Epi blood panels drawn, and receiving some in-home laser treatments for his weak hind end and torn CCLs in the hopes of getting him up and on his feet stronger and soon. (He had taken a fall on Christmas Eve, spent six weeks in a brace and he still requires assistance for walking with a sling harness). He is determined and we are seeing progress each day. Here he is with one of his favorite vet techs, Jessica, getting his laser therapy:

And...my really BIG exciting announcement for today is for my soon-to-be-released book on Epi-dogs from across the world titled EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy. While I had hoped to have my release timed with today, we are not quite there yet and I do not want to rush this very special book. At this time, I do not have a specific release date \as we are in the editing and layout stages, it will be in the very near future. We'll be sure to post info on when you can order at that time from our indie publishing company ArcticHouse Publishing. A percentage of proceeds post-production costs will be donated to the Canine Epilepsy Resources "Emma's Fund." But for now, here's a sneak preview of the cover:

We hope on this Purple Day, people join together to bring awareness, hope, and support to all those who are living life with seizures. We honor them all.