Blogging the Change for Canine Epilepsy Awareness

November is right around the corner, and with it people begin to think about the fun and exciting

winter holidays we wait all year for to return complete with turkey and stuffing, visiting family and friends, Christmas decorations, lights, candles, lots and lots of food, and in some areas - snow! But I'd like to take today's Blog the Change for Animals (#BtC4A) and talk about celebrating something else - the canine epileptic, also known as the Epi-dog. As many of my readers and "The Sibe Vibe" listeners are aware, one of my Siberian Huskies, Gibson, was diagnosed with Canine Epilepsy shortly after his third birthday in 2009. We have since embarked upon a #LiveGibStrong awareness campaign that dogs can -- and DO -- live full, happy lives with Canine Epilepsy. Over the years, through our campaign, my first children's book What's Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy (ArcticHouse Publishing), and through social media, I've met so many wonderful people who love and care, or have cared for, these amazing Epi-dogs. Seizures are scary. Seizures can change a dog's lifestyle. Seizures can change the way a family lives. But seizures are NOT a death sentence for a dog. Once upon a time, euthanization was the suggested course to take if a dog had seizures. That is so not the case today. There are so many resources, support groups, and methods of treatments now available to help dogs and families faced with a seizure disorder. Not all have happy endings, and sometimes the very medication used to help try and manage the seizures can harm the dog, but more dogs than ever are now living wonderful, happy lives in between seizures and many are even managed by the medication so they can live life as a dog should - happy, loved, and in the moment.

I am putting the finishing touches on my new book, EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories  About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy that will star many of these amazing dogs who are living, or who did live, with Canine Epilepsy. It's been a labor of love for almost two years and I cry each time I read these stories. I am very excited to finally get this book published and share these amazing stories and within the pages, these families share their Epi-dog's lives and what treatments and therapies they used with the hope that maybe their story will help another. The key is education. The more we know, the better lives we can give to our Epi-dogs, and they in return, give us so much love, and a few life lessons! I am putting this book out myself through my own indie publishing company, and after the cost of the book, my goal is to raise enough money so that a portion of proceeds can be donated to the Canine Epilepsy Resources, home of the (fantastic and ever-helpful) Epil-K9 list for their "Emma's Seizure Fund" through the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

**To check on publication date and to order your copy, visit ArcticHousePublishing.com.**

I am also thrilled to present the very first FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Awareness online auction! The auction is being hosted by the AFA - Auction for Animals and opens for bids November 1 at 10 AM EST and closes on November 15 at 8 PM EST. There are so many (p)awesome items already listed, and many generously donated! We do hope you'll go over and check out the album's preview of items, and plan to come back and do a little shopping for a great cause! The auction will not only help shine a light on Canine Epilepsy Awareness, but profits from the auction will benefit the Canine Epilepsy Resources, Epil-K9 Foundation's "Emma's Seizure Fund" through the North Carolina State University College of VeterinaryMedicine ~ AND ~ The Wally Foundation~Canine Epilepsy that offers possible financial assistance to help purchase much needed medications to rescues/fosters/families of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. Two fantastic non-profits really making a difference in the lives of dogs with seizures. Please support them and be sure to come visit the auction HERE.

And coming up on my Sunday, November 9th episode of  "The Sibe Vibe" on Dog Works Radio I will be talking all about Canine Epilepsy Awareness and seizure research featuring Karen  Muñana, DVM, MS, professor of Neurology, and Julie Nettifee Osborne RVT, BS, VTS, from  at the State University of North Carolina College of Veterinary Medicine. It will be a very important and informative hour, so mark your calendars! And as always, if you can not join us live, I will be posting a permalink also so you can tune in any time.

We also continue our support of House Woof All Natural Dog Biscuits (a branch of the Edelweiss Bakery in Vermont) home-baked, healthy, and Epi-friendly biscuits, the "Gibbie Snacks," named after my Canine Epilepsy Awareness spokesHusky, Gibson. 

 For every bag purchased, House Woof donates $1 to The Wally Foundation~Canine Epilepsy!  

Together we can "Be The Change" by spreading the word that with a little special care, and lots of love and support, these Epi-dogs can full happy lives and that their hu-guardians you are not alone. Help and support is just a keyboard stroke away! 

When sharing info about Canine Epilepsy, please use the hashtag #LiveGibStrong to help get our message out there!

We love Epi-dogs! #LiveGibStrong

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