Happy Howl-o-ween! Why is Gibson's Pumpkin Purple?

Gibson has a purple pumpkin this Halloween! Pretty cool, right? Do you know he has a purple one and not an orange one?

 Harley has a hint: Purple is the color of...?

 Epilepsy Awareness.

 The Purple Pumpkin Project® was founded by founder Ron Lamontagne, whose son was diagnosed with Epilepsy when he was just four. Ron was brainstorming ideas on how to spread awareness about Epilepsy and was inspired by a local pumpkin patch! He thought that while kids and families were carving pumpkins, they could also paint/decorate/make a purple pumpkin that would then prompt folks to ask the question "Why is your pumpkin purple?" to which the replies would be information on Epilepsy - human and canine. 

As many of  you know, the cause is near and dear to my heart as one of my Siberian Huskies, Gibson, is an Epi-dog (canine epileptic) and was diagnosed with idiopathic Canine Epilepsy in 2009, shortly after his third birthday. It was a very scary time and I felt very alone. Ever since, we have been strong advocates of Canine Epilepsy Awareness. Over the years I've written many articles, oodles of blog posts, and two books on the subject, as well as being a Purple Day® Ambassador and a volunteer case manager for The Wally Foundation~Canine Epilepsy (TWF) and fundraising for related non-profits, including our very first auction last year that benefitted both TWF and Canine Epilepsy Resources Epil-K9 Foundation's "Emma's Seizure Fund." Gibson and I are dedicated to getting important information out there, and share our resources, in order to help others who are faced with a dog who has seizures so they do not feel scared and alone. We also hope to help encourage folks to consider adopting a dog who has seizures. With some special care and lots of love, Epi-dogs can live happy lives!


The Purple Pumpkin Project supports the mission of the Epilepsy Foundation, and hopes to offer support to those who have seizures. And they want to see your purple pumpkins! You can share your purple pumpkin pics on Twitter by hashtagging #PurplePumpkinProject and #DareTo, and be sure to also include #LiveGibStrong on your photos so we can share your pet's purple pumpkin pics on our social media, too! You can also follow The Purple Project on Facebook and Twitter at @PurplePumpkinPr, and the Epilepsy Foundation at @EpilepsyFdn

 
For some great purple painting tips, visit HERE.

 We are also participating in the Epilepsy Foundation's Purple Pumpkin Project's fundraiser, so please pop by our page HERE and consider making a pledge to help continue the studies into Epilepsy, and of course, feel free to share with others!


Our #LiveGibStrong Pledge Page




We had put out a call for pets with purple pumpkins to come join us in a video slideshow to show support for Canine Epilepsy Awareness, and the response was just inspiring! Thank you to everyone who submitted a photo of their beautiful dog with a purple pumpkin. Together we can make a difference, and help support those people and canines with Epilepsy. Here's our video featuring beautiful Epi-dogs and non Epi-dogs from across the world who have joined together to prompt people to ask, "Why is your dog's pumpkin purple?"








By helping to spread the awareness about Epilepsy with others, we can help folks overcome any fears or misconceptions they may have. Through The Purple Pumpkin Project, we can offer our support to those humans and canines living Epilepsy. So whether you paint your pumpkin purple, cut out paper purple pumpkins, or even glue purple pom-poms on your pumpkin - have some fun and get the conversation started with your family, friends, and neighbors about Epilepsy, and why your pumpkins are purple!
  
"Hey, there's some treats in here!"

So why is Gibson's pumpkin purple?

Gibson's pumpkin is purple because Canine Epilepsy does NOT define him. Epi-dogs can, and do, live full happy lives , however long we are blessed to have them. They are amazing, strong, determined...and inspirational. #LiveGibStrong!
Please be sure to check out my two books on Canine Epilepsy available through our ArcticHouse Books & Gifts Shoppe. Check out the tab at the top of this blog page.




EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy - More than 100 stories from families across the world about their beautiful dogs living with seizures, plus an extensive resource list, information, and much more. 

~And~ 


What's Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy - an illustrated, easy-to-read FiveSibes Tale children's book that helps to explain seizures and even a few tips to help remove the fear about Epilepsy.

A portion of proceeds from both books will be donated to the "Emma's Seizure Fund" through the Canine Epilepsy Resources Epil-K9 Foundation at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine Neurology Department. 

The Purple Pumpkin Project takes place on Halloween - October 31st - on the eve of Epilepsy Awareness Month. Please be sure to come back and visit us here during November, and on our social media accounts, as we share important tips, info, news, articles, books, photos, videos, books, resource links on Canine Epilepsy throughout the month.

 Have a safe and Happy Howl-o-ween!

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Comments

  1. Two French BulldogsOctober 31, 2015 at 10:57 AM

    Happy Howl-o-ween
    Lily & Edward

    ReplyDelete
  2. zoepheedogsOctober 31, 2015 at 3:55 PM

    Happy Halloween! I hope you have an awesome day! I love Gibson's purple pumpkin and thanks for sharing about that because I actually didn't know what it meant!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FiveSibesMomNovember 1, 2015 at 9:38 PM

      Thanks, Lauren! If you do a purple pumpkin, we'd love to see it!

      Delete
  3. ♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥October 31, 2015 at 5:28 PM

    Way to go, Gibson!!!

    Happy Howl-a-ween!!!

    Woos - Ciara and Lightning

    ReplyDelete
  4. 2 Punk DogsNovember 1, 2015 at 12:17 PM

    Thanks for sharing the purple pumpkin information! Love the picture of the 5 in vintage costume. :)

    ReplyDelete

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