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.
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!

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!
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.
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!