EXCITING NEWS! Through #LiveGibStrong & Manilow's Canine Playground, Donations Made to K9 Epilepsy Research!

I, on behalf of our FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong K9 Epilepsy Awareness Campaign, have some very exciting news to share ~ in partnership with a huge congratulations to a dear friend and fellow Epi-dog hu-mom! 

 

Barbara Drury, whose now furangel Epi-dog, "Manilow B. Magic," fondly called Manilow (yes, he was named after the singer!) was one of the beautiful Epi-stars featured in my book, EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy. He was also featured in my November's Epi-Star Features HERE if you'd like to read all about this amazing dog who did not let epilepsy get in his way of enjoying life.

Barbara's original best buddy, the handsome Epi-dog "Manilow" was featured in EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living and Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy, an award-winning large coffee table resource book by me, the FiveSibesMom, Dorothy Wills-Raftery.

Manilow was not just Barbara's handsome furry best friend, he is also the namesake of her business, Manilow's Canine Playground, a dog daycare center located in Devens, MA, that Barbara opened on June 2, 2003, meaning they just clicked over 20 years in business! To celebrate, Barbara marked the special occasion with a public party and and purchased a supply of my EPIc Dog Tales books, and offered two as part of her anniversary raffle. 

 

As part of my #LiveGibStrong K9 Epilepsy Awareness educational campaign, I also did fundraising for various Canine Epilepsy non-profits. When I was working on EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy, which was inspired by my own amazing Gibson (whose on the cover and his story is in the book, too), I decided to donate a portion of sales to the  Emma's Research Fund housed at the North Carolina State University (NCSU) Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab because of the amazing work they do on behalf of Canine Epilepsy and seizures. (Note: Marion Mitchell, co-owner of Epil-K9, The All Breed Canine Epilepsy List part of the Canine Epilepsy Resources site created the fund in honor of her Epi-dog, dalmatian Emma). 

Barbara Drury, in front of her Manilow's Canine Playground in Devens, MA, holding a copy of EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy, alongside her two beautiful boys, Boston and Brooklyn. 

 

Not only did Barbara order a carton of my books, with a portion of the sales being sent as a standard donation to the research fund, but Barbara also offered that the bulk discount I offered her to be donated also! Resulting in a check for $100 to be donated by me to the NCSU Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab for the Emma's Fund!

But wait... it gets SO much better!

Here's the even more FABULOUS news! Barbara raised $1,000 from her raffle for her Manilow's Canine Playground 20th Anniversary raffle...and she generously DONATED IT ALL through our #LiveGibStrong K9 Epilepsy Awareness Educational Campaign, and sent a check to the Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab for the Emma's Fund! 

 

 

These donations mean a lot in the field of Canine Epilepsy Research. Upon hearing about Barbara's amazing donation, and our donation from sales of my book, DR. KAREN MUÑANA, a Professor of Neurology and member of the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force, along with JULIE NETTIFEE, Veterinary Technicial Specialist in Neurology and Research and the 2020 American Humane Hero Veterinary Nurse (both at The Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab at North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine) had this to say:

"We are so grateful for the generous donation provided by #LiveGibStrong K9 Epilepsy Awareness for the Emma's Fund for Research, in support of our work in the Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab at NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. This funding enables our continued efforts to better understand idiopathic epilepsy in dogs and evaluate novel therapies for this disorder, with the aim of improving the quality of life for pets facing epilepsy as well as their caregivers."

Karen Muñana, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)

and

Julie Nettifee, RVT, MS, VTS (Neurology)

go.ncsu.edu/epilepsyresearch

 

 

A heartfelt "Thank You" goes out to Barbara Drury of Manilow's Canine Playground for her amazing donations for Canine Epilepsy research!

  💜

 

How You Can Help Us Help Epi-Dogs 

of the Future

 

First and foremost, be informed! Educate yourself on everything about Canine Epilepsy and seizures, and be sure of your sources. That's where we come in...through #LiveGibStrong, I not only draw on my seven years of sharing life with a gorgeous, Epi warrior, my Husky Gibson, but also from my more than 14 years of continuing my advocacy for dogs with epilepsy by continuing to confer with renowned vet neurologists, and veterinary experts on Canine Epilpsy. Through my FREE on-line #LiveGibStrong K-9 Online Epilepsy Resource Library, I share what I learn and give someone a jumping off point to learn correct information and resources so they can have a correct idea about a dog living with epilepsy (and they certainly can!) and then take that information to have a conversation with their own vets.

 

While support groups on social are absolutely great for sharing stories, therapies, and much-needed camaraderie among Epi-dog caregivers, however, I have seen occasions where folks dispense incorrect information. Always take whatever information you hear about to your vet, vet neurologist, who knows your dog and his/her health record. ***If you do not feel your vet is well-versed on Canine Epilepsy and/or seizures, find one who is.** .What do I mean by that? It simply means some vets have specialty training in specific fields, such as neurology, and are experts in the field of Canine Epilepsy and that is what you need for your Epi-dog. Once you find that vet, always run anything new you hear about by him/her.

 

You can also purchase one of my multi-award winning EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy books! A portion will always be donated through our #LiveGibStrong campaign for continued Canine Epilepsy research. 

 

And naturally, you can make a direct donation toward research such as to the Emma's Fund for Research at NCSU's The Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab. You can also make a donation to a registered Canine Epilepsy non-profit organization, such as The Wally Foundation~Canine Epilepsy, that helps qualifying families with funding for the much-needed Epi medications to help with the care of their Epi-dogs. *Note: It's disheartening to have to include this note, but in this day and age of fake accounts on social media, always check to be sure you have the correct organization to send money to. Easy way to check? Simply call the organization you wish to donate to and ask for their info.

The work Dr. Muñana and Julie Nettifee do at NCSU's The Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab is so important and vital to the studies of Canine Epilepsy and seizures. We here at FiveSibes, would love to be able to make more donations from EPIc Dog Tales. This book is a valuable resource for any families, rescues, or caregivers of dogs with epilepsy. It is filled with amazing stories of 122 Epi-dogs from across the world, as well information and resources. 

 

The cover of my beautiful large coffee table award-winning book that holds a special place in my heart. On the cover is my beautiful Epi-dog, Gibson. A portion of sales will always be donated to Canine Epilepsy research.

 

Says Dr. Muñana about my book:

“In EPIc Dog Tales, Dorothy Wills-Raftery has done a masterful job of compiling the stories of over 100 dogs, as told by their families and caregivers. The dogs in the book represent numerous breeds from all different walks of life. They are working dogs, service dogs, competitors and companions, from all around the world. However, all of the dogs share the common trait of being affected by epilepsy.

The book tells the stories of these dogs and their lives with seizures.

Each story provides details of the dog’s battle with epilepsy – and in doing so, these stories provide valuable information on how the disorder can affect dogs differently, and how treatment must be individualized. 

More importantly, each story provides insight on how the dog lived life despite epilepsy, highlighting that dogs can, and do, lead full lives with the disease...The stories included in the book serve to demonstrate the resilience of dogs, revealing that they can continue to do the things that bring them pleasure while living with epilepsy, and remind us of the strength of the human animal bond. All of the Epi-dogs showcased in this book are inspirational....

Overall, this book provides a wealth of information on Canine Epilepsy – from facts about the disease to practical tips on managing the disorder.  It also highlights the strong support group that has formed among families whose lives have been touched by Canine Epilepsy. This book is a must read for anyone who has cared for a pet with epilepsy, but any animal lover will enjoy the heartwarming tales included in the book.

The book goes a long way toward supporting families with epileptic dogs and raising awareness of Canine Epilepsy.”

How To Purchase One of My Books...Simply Click on Image Below!

NOTE: My book used to be sold on Amazon, but the fees were too steep (especially shipping) and took away from amount able to be donated. A brand new copy of this book is now only availble from me on this FiveSibes site HERE. If you are ordering multiple, or from out of country, Email me at (FiveSibesLiveGibStrong@gmail.com) and put EPIc Dog Tales in subject line. I will let you know best shipping & handling costs for your state/country. PayPal and major credit accepted. (NOTE: If you see my book someplace online, including Amazon, and I have, these are NOT new copies directly from me. I no longer sell them there (fees cut into my donations). I also do NOT know any of the people selling them, nor do I know where they obtain the books. So always buy right them here, right from the source!)

Reviews are a good way to get an idea if a book is for you. If you'd like to read more reviews of my book, click on the image below!

For more info on Canine Epilepsy, including vetted info, and important links and resources, please visit our FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong FREE K9 Epilepsy Online Resource Library.

 

We are joining in Brian's Home for their 

"Thankful Thursday" Blog Hop! 

 

 

 

Visit our Home Page and Don't Forget to Visit Our Other Pages, including Our #LiveGibStrong On-Line K-9 Epilepsy Resource Page. Just click on "More" Pages at top of blog.