SHOW US YOUR PURPLE! Today Kicks Off Our 8th Annual #FiveSibes #LIVEGIBSTRONG Purple Day for Epilepsy Blog Hop & Media Share!

 


 FiveSibes™ K9 Epilepsy Ambassadog & the Beautiful Face of #LiveGibStrong ~ "Gibson" ~ and our Epi bracelets.

 

It's Our 8th Annual Purple Day® 

Blog Hop & Media Share!

 

FACT: THERE ARE OVER 600,000 DOGS LIVING WITH EPILEPSY IN THE UNITED STATES ALONE.

 
In honor of my beautiful brave Epi-Husky Gibson, and all those who have found themself on this journey called Epilepsy, I am honored to be hosting our #FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong 8th Annual Purple Day for Epilepsy Blog Hop & Media Share! This year, I want to say thank you to my wonderful Blog Hop co-hosts who are joining me this year and who are also amazing advocates for dogs living Canine Epilepsy: Jan of Ruby, the Therapy Dog; Jeanaann of Oh, the Life of Olivia & Knotty Toys for Good Dogs; and Tracy of GIBBS-erish...Making Sense of Canine Epilepsy Facebook Group. To join in our Hop, you can be an Epi-dog caregiver ~OR~ a friend who would like to show your support by sharing something purple on your blog/social media!
 
"People affected by epilepsy will change the face of epilepsy."
 ~Anita Kaufmann Foundation
U.S.A. Global Partner of Purple Day® 
 Now Part of Purple Day® Every Day 
 
Those words in the above quote shared by the Anita Kaufmann Foundation are so very true. When a beloved pet is diagnosed with epilepsy, it needs to become our mission to advocate for them. In years past, a diagnosis of epilepsy often meant a recommendation for euthanasia. Thankfully, that is not the case today! There are lots of resources, information, and treatments to help manage epileptic seizures in dogs. Find out everything you can about Canine Epilepsy, and become informed on the topic so that you can have intelligent question-and-answer discussions with your veterinarian about what the best management care of your dog should be. Epi-dogs can--and DO--live happy lives, and can certainly do whatever other dogs who do not have epilepsy can do; like my Siberian Husky, Gibson.
 
PLEASE BE SURE TO SEE THE SPECIAL NORTH CAROLINA STATE COMPANION ANIMAL EPILEPSY RESEARCH LAB, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VETVINE, CANINE EPILEPSY PRESENTATION'S SPECIAL PURPLE DAY DISCOUNT CODE FURTHER DOWN IN THIS POST.
 
Gibson, as many of you know, was one of my beautiful FiveSibes, and he was diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy shortly after his third birthday in 2009 and it definitely affected me, in a wide range of emotions--from fear to worry to determination--and as a result, advocacy. I hope my Gibson and I did change the face of Canine Epilepsy by helping others in sharing not only our experiences, but also our findings from research and veterinarians, and to offer them hope for their Epi-dog. Last year, I was honored to be invited to be part of the Purple Day® Around the World Education Week. I created this FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong & #Paws4Purple presentation for that event. I think you'll enjoy it and find it very informative.
 

 
At FiveSibes, we are celebrating the 11th Anniversary of Being An Official Purple Day® Ambassador for 
Canine Epilepsy Awareness! 
 
 
Proud Ambassador Since 2012 

 

What's Purple Day® All About? 

What's with the purple? you may be asking yourself. If you have not already seen my Purple Day video, please take a few minutes to watch it, and not only will you learn why it's Purple Day and not Blue Day or Pink Day, but you will also discover how an amazing young girl named Cassidy Megan from Canada founded Purple Day in 2008 when she was just nine years old! 

Since we here at FiveSibes advocate for awareness for dogs with epilepsy, in this video below you will see some beautiful dogs from all over the world--both Epis and non--join together to show their support to #GoPurple for epilepsy awareness. 

 

 What is Purple Day?


 

 "I started Purple Day to raise awareness for people with epilepsy and to let them know that they aren’t alone. At Purple Day, we want to educate people about what to do and what not to do when they see someone having any type of seizure."  
~Cassidy Megan, Purple Day® Founder

 


New This Year!!!

 


I am so pleased at the amazing submissions we have received to be part of our very special "Creative Caregivers in Canine Epilepsy"video slidewshow that we will be developing with support from the North Carolina State Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab (go.ncsu.edu/epilepsyresearch), and through my #Paws4Purple Canine Epilepsy Initiative with Purple Day® Every Day.

If you read my earlier blog post or saw on social media, we are looking for your creative artwork, journal entries, essays, and photos relating in some manner to Epi-dog Caregiver Support, which includes your caregiving for your dog who has Epilepsy, and also support for you--the caregiver. This information will then be compiled and shared in a video format that we will share in order to help others who are on this jourmey with their Epi-dogs.

 I cannot wait for your to see the final project, which I will update you all on when it will be out!

 

"I know this journey can be so hard-but it also can be filled with connection, growth and other opportunities." 

 ~Julie Ann Nettifee, RVT, MS, VTS (Neurology) 
North Carolina State Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab
and
2020 American Humane Hero Veterinary Nurse Award Winner


While today, Purple Day, is the deadline for submissions, if you have a story to tell and would like to be part of this, just send me a note and let me know! We can get your creative work(s) in right up until the video is ready to go live. But get them in today, if you can!

EMAIL ENTRIES WITH YOUR NAME, PET'S NAME, STATE/COUNTRY TO: 

FiveSibesLiveGibStrong(at)gmail(dot)com

(replace at and dot with the symbols)
 
 
Where Do You Go If You Need Info on Canine Epilepsy?

There are plenty of helpful resources out there, and there are also (I regret to say) some self-proclaimed "experts" who are not supportive and only give their opinions that are not vetted or based in fact, and that is a serious disservice to the dogs in need. Not to mention that epilepsy is not a one-size-fits-all neurological disorder. Now, of course everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but when it comes to health and safety of an animal, I believe in going directly to the veterinarian experts and researchers skilled in this neurological field.

So how do you know if you are getting the right information out there on the wild web? That's where we come in! As a career journalist, research is my thing! Through my years of gathering information and learning all I could from THE experts about Canine Epilepsy, and professional relationships I have forged and value with respected veterinarian epilepsy experts, I created the FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong K9 Epilepsy Online Library & Resource Center page right here on my FiveSibes blog for others to go to in an effort to help point them in the right direction to obtain info that will in turn help them help their Epi-dogs. And always talk to your own vet or vet neurologist. This information is to help you understand Canine Epilepsy so you can in turn have informative conversations with your vet. If you feel your vet does not have the background in this field, find one who does.
 
An excellent place to start your search is right here...

 

 Go To Our #FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong Online K-9 Epilepsy Resource Library HERE


A Peek at Some of the Info You'll Find in Our Library:

 

Cooling Down an Epi-Dog: 

Where Do You Put the Cool Pack? 
 
 My important informational art poster! 
Did you know that seizing dog's temperature rises and can become a dangerous situation? 
(ALWAYS contact your vet if your dog has a seizure!) 
The beautiful rendition of Gibson was created by the talented artist, Cameo Anderson, and all my info has been vetted by Gibson's amazing lead vet, Dr. Arnold Rugg, Founder of Kingston Animal Hospital, affiliate member of the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Veterinary Society, as well as the New York State Veterinary Medical Society.
 

 

 

 Visit Our "Chalkboard" Area:

 
 Read About Other Amazing Dogs Living Life With Epilepsy in My Epi-Star Series
 
How to Get FREE Copies of #LiveGibStrong/#Paws4Purple K9 Epilepsy Handouts!
 
 
 
  
 

And there's so much more info!
 
Just Visit Our
 

 

 

Listen to the Veterinarian Neurology Experts on Canine Epilepsy!


Important Info From The Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab at North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine...

 The Canine Epilepsy Summit, developed by the North Carolina State University Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab in partnership with VetVine, is an EXCELLENT event. They produced this in order to educate and support all who care for #EpiDog warriors.

 For Purple Day, they are offering a special deal* with the following code:
 
Purple Day PROMO Code:
  PDPACK23 

Expires: 3/31/23

 

*Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians save $23 

*Non-Vets save $10 
 
To Listen to This Summit Recordings, Go HERE. 

 


 A Very Helpful & Informative Brochure From
the North Carolina State Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab 
Click on Image to read the full brochure:

 

 

 

 A Special Edition of Wag 'N Whine
“Talking About Canine Epilepsy”
Featuring Special Guests!
 
I am thrilled to have joined the panel of wonderful guests—as you can see from the graphic below—including a Q&A session with veterinary neurology experts, Dr. Karen Muñana, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology), Professor of Neurology at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine/The Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab, and member of the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force, and Julie Nettifee, RVT, MS, VTS (Neurology) & Research, also from The Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab at North Carolina state University-College of Veterinary Medicine and the 2020 American Humane Hero Veterinary Nurse, along with several other Canine Epilepsy caregivers and advocates. 
 

 A “Must-See” for any Epi-dog caregiver. Click on graphic above to view and Enter Passcode: cjZCQs8? in box where asked in order to listen to the 2-hour session (you can pause it).
 
✰ ✰ ✰ 
 
"I tell my clients that treatment of epilepsy requires an individualized approach, 
and it is important to find what works well for you and your dog - 
rather than what works for others."
~Karen R. Muñana, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology)
North Carolina State University-College of Veterinary Medicine
Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab 
 

 
Tune in to our #TheSibeVibe Episodes on Canine Epilepsy!

 
 
 
"When a beloved pet is diagnosed with epilepsy, it  needs to become our mission to advocate for them. Find out everything you can about Canine Epilepsy, and become informed on the topic so that you can have intelligent question-and-answer discussions with your vet about what the best management care of your dog should be. Epi-dogs can--and DO--live happy lives, and can certainly do whatever other dogs who do not have epilepsy can do; like my Siberian Husky, Gibson." 
~Dorothy Wills-Raftery
Author, #LiveGibStrong & #Paws4Purple Creator, 
The Wally Foundation Volunteer Case Worker,
Purple Day® Ambassador for K9 Epilepsy Since 2012
 
 

 
 

 For Joining Us in our 8th Annual #LiveGibStrong
Blog Hop and "Going Purple" with us
for K9 Epilepsy Awareness!

Grab Our Badge for Your Blog

 

 
 
 
 

Comments

  1. Thank you for your ongoing and wagnificent support of epi-warriors. Your info has guided me as long as I've owned Elsa and has helped me so very much. We 💜 you and all you do.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for all you do in the fight against K-9 Epilepsy!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Deer Gibson wee wanted to stop bye from THE Purrfect Pad an meow Happy Purrple Day to you! Wee are sorry you are an Eppylepsy Warrior liek Olivia an Elsa Poochiess! Mee made a badge to cellybrate all mee Eppy-frendss online an fore BellaSita Mum, who alltho not a Poochie, suffurrss with Seezuress two!!
    Yore a furry hansum man Poochie!! Bee well Gibson....
    ~~~head rubss~~~BellaDharma~~~ an {{hugss}} BellaSita Mum

    ReplyDelete

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