It's Our 9th Annual #LiveGibStrong Purple Day® for Epilepsy Blog Hop AND the Debut of our NEW Caregiver Video!
Welcome to my 9th Annual FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Purple Day® Blog Hop & Media Share! For those who may be new to this annual event or to this site, I began my own personal journey living and caring for a dog with epilepsy (Epi-dog), my beloved Gibson, back in 2009 shortly after his third birthday. After a series of grand mal and cluster seizures that had me rushing Gibson to an ER after hours (because these things always seem to happen late at night). Thankfully, he survived the ER visit and after much testing, he was diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy (or no known cause). I have written much about our journey, our education, and even pages from my journal that you can find on my site HERE. Inspired by Gibson and his zest for life, I created the free #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Online Resource Library that contains much vetted information to help others on their journey.
Before I talk about Canine Epilepsy and share some important resources and videos about Purple Day® for Epilepsy, I'm excited to share a very special project I have been working on!
Drum roll, please!
You know the scene...you’ve been up most of the night watching over your beloved dog who just had a seizure. Whether you dog has been diagnosed with Canine Epilepsy or just experienced its first seizure, it is a frightening experience for dog caregivers. Triggers come in many ways and forms, and not all the same things trigger a seizure in dogs. The “wild west” of causes can keep a dog parent on edge—from developing a care and hopefully anti-seizure treatment plan with your vet, to the daily worry of whether or not your dog will have another seizure. Then there is the post-seizure cleanup of both your beloved dog and its surrounds. Caring for an Epi-dog can be exhausting mentally, physically, and sometimes even financially.
And...a bit of trivia, the beautiful music you hear in this slideshow and in the YouTube video was written and composed by Julie Nettifee of the Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab, and the piano and vocals are by Lyndy Harden!
Power Point Slide Show
If you'd prefer to read this at your leisure, or share with others (i.e. - rescues, potential Epi-dog adopters, classes on Canine Epilepsy, etc.), here's a link to the presention.
NOTE: Please click on your mouse or mouse pad to advance the slides. If you'd like this in a PDF, drop me an Email!
You can also view this presentation on our FiveSibes YouTube Channel:
Note: The
best way to watch the video is to pause it to allow time to read the
heartfelt information given by Epi-dog caregivers across the world, from
the US to the UK. For some reason, the clarity of the video was lessened when uploaded. To read all the important info, I'd suggest playing the above Power Point, or, I have also made it available in PDF print copy. If you would
like a PDF sent to you, Email us at
FiveSibesLiveGibStrong(at)gmail(dot)com and put Epi-Dog Caregiver in the
Subject Line.
A Little Back Story...
In 2012, I became an official ambassador with Purple Day for Epilepsy, as well as joining up with the Purple Day® Every Day/The Anita Kaufmann Foundation in 2018 where we launched my #LiveGibStrong #Paws4Purple initiative! I'm very proud of being the first canine outreach program welcomed by open arms by the human organization who has supported my awareness ever since.
And...they are so wonderful and have printed up beautiful large bookmarks I designed. If you'd like *FREE* copies of bookmarks (great not only for books, but to put up on your fridge!) by Emailing Debra@AKFUS.org and request the #Paws4Purple bookmarks!
These are also wonderful to give your:
✔️Veterinarian Offices
✔️ER Vet Hospitals
✔️Groomer
✔️Dog Sitter
✔️Doggy Daycare
✔️Shelters & Rescues (to send home with adopters & fosters of dogs with seizures)
✔️Dog Wardens/Animal Control Officers
✔️Trainers
✔️Dog Walkers
✔️Dog Parks
✔️Pet Supply Stores/Pet Boutiques
✔️Dog-Friendly Businesses
✔️Police Departments
✔️Fire Departments
What is Purple Day All About?
Below is a video I created all about this important day founded by Cassidy Megan of Canada.
Two years ago, 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.
"I know this journey can be so hard-but it also can be filled with connection, growth and other opportunities."
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.
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:
More important reading...
Visit Our "Chalkboard" Area:
Don't miss out reading some inspiring stories about amazing dogs doing amazing things while living with Canine Epilepsy...
For Joining Us in our 9th Annual #LiveGibStrong
And many thanks to our Purple Day
Gibbs and I are honored to be a part of promoting World Epilepsy Awareness Day! We appreciate all the work that goes into making this annual event. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGibbs and I are honored to help promote World Epilepsy! We appreciate all the hard work that goes in to making this annual event. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your love and dedication to Epilepsy Dogs. This is priceless information and truly inspiring and supportive!!! 💜💜💜
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful the way you turned your journey into so much information to share with those who need it. If I ever do meet anyone with an Epidog, I will know right where to send them!
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much for including Elsa in your slideshow-I'm truly touched and convinced without all the info, tips and resources you've shared over the years, Elsa's life would be much different. She remains my epi-warrior and inspires me with a deep sense of passion for this condition. We greatly appreciate all you do for epi-warriors and their caretakers everywhere. 💜 💜 💜
ReplyDeleteThank you for recognizing this day!
ReplyDeleteLulu: "Our Dada's dog Missy from when he was much younger had epilepsy! He was home alone with her the first time she had a seizure he was scared because he was just a kid and didn't know what to do!"
ReplyDeleteJava Bean: "Ayyy, but she was all right after the seizure ended and our Dada's parents took her to the vet and she got medication and lived a long, long time ― long enough to meet our Mama when she and Dada got married, in fact!"
Dorothy, this is such terrific information! I always learn so much when you go into detail on Epi-Dog care. Purple Day is so important to bring awareness. Henry and I shared your post and got the word out to our dog parents. I had never thought about providing information to my vet. I LOVE the idea of the bookmark. I'm going to request one and ask that my vet post it in the lobby so that dog parents can read it while waiting. Heck, it can be a wait at times. Super information, as always. I'm sharing this post as well. You and Gibson have done amazing work. I'm hoping that one day in the near future there will be a cure for this hideous disease.
ReplyDelete