It's Our 9th Annual #LiveGibStrong Purple Day® for Epilepsy Blog Hop! Show Us Your Purple! AND...the Debut of our NEW Caregiver Video!
Welcome to our 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 our site, I began my own personal journey with an 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.
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Don't Miss the Debut of Our NEW "Caring for the Epi-Dog & Caregiver" Slideshow Below!
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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
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.
While we now know a lot about Canine Epilepsy and how these Epi-dogs can and do live happy lives thanks to medication, nutrition, alternative therapies, and mainly the overall care given by the families who love them. But just as important as it is caring for dogs with epilepsy, it is equally important to care for the caregiver.
So very excited to debut a new slideshow I created with support from Karen Muñana, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology) and Julie Nettifee, RVT, MS, VTS (Neurology) of the Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab titled "Caring For The Epi-Dog & Caregiver." Along with important information on self-care, I'm also proud to share some caregivers tips and info on how they not only care for their Epi-dogs, but how they care for themselves in order to stay strong and give the best care possible to their special needs dogs.
And...a bit of trivia, the beautiful music you hear in this slideshow video was written and composed by Julie Nettifee of the Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab, and the piano and vocals are by Lyndy Harden!
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. This is also available in PDF print copy if you would like one sent to you, Email us at FiveSibesLiveGibStrong(at)gmail(dot)com and put Epi-Dog Caregiver in the Subject Line.
This video was a project of love, and as always, inspired by my beloved Gibson. I had such a wonderful response to the call-out and truly appreciate other Epi-dog caregivers joining in to share their information. We are all in this together! If you find yourself and your dog on this journey called Canine Epilepsy, know you are not alone.
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 9h 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!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your love and dedication to Epilepsy Dogs. This is priceless information and truly inspiring and supportive!!! 💜💜💜
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