Remembering Marion Mitchell: An Early Pioneer in Canine Epilepsy Awareness

 

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that Marion Mitchell, co-founder, co-owner, and site manager of the Canine Epilepsy Resources website, and former director of the Dalmatian Club of America's study group on seizure disorders, has earned her human angel wings on October 30th. It's profound that the news came during  Epilepsy Awareness Month, a cause near and dear to Marion's heart. I'm sure her beloved "Emma" was there waiting alongside her dear husband, Terry, at the entrance to Heaven's Rainbow Bridge to greet her, along with many of our Epi-dog furangels who were all once helped by Marion's information.

 

Marion was like a beacon in a storm to so many, including me, way back in my early days when my beloved Epi-dog "Gibson" was diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy shortly after his third birthday in 2009. While the Internet was in its infancy then, there was not much out there on Canine Epilepsy. But Marion was there, with support and information to share to help other Epi-dog caregivers. 

 

"Always remember epilepsy is NOT a death sentence...so gentle reader never give up, no matter how bad it seems there is always a silver lining to the dark clouds."  ~Marion Mitchell  

 

In a touching Email sent to me from her daughter-in-law, who writes:

 

 "(Marion) was in hospital in very good care with her beloved son...and grandson...with her, and it was peaceful. Her cat Frankie has moved it with (her son) ...and is settling well. The family will come together next month and have a private family remembrance. It means a lot to us that through Anne’s and your kindness Marion’s work can continue to be found online as a resource. Please do pass on our best wishes to your friends and collaborators in the K9 epilepsy world."

I have in the past worked with one of the board members to save Marion's work, and while she has managed to get the Canine Epilepsy Resources site back up for a period of 5 years (4 left now), it will eventually go dark. With the board's knowledge and Marion's family's blessing, I have been periodically working on saving some of the info to move onto my FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Resource Library for posterity. 

 

Marion was a lover of Dalmatians and a true pioneer in Canine Epilepsy awareness movement to not only show that dogs with epilepsy (Epi-dogs) can live full lives the same as any other dog, but she also began to share - much-needed at the time as there was not a lot of information out about Canine Epilepsy, and the Internet was in its infancy stages. She shared information on ground-breaking ocular pressure as a way of helping dogs having a seizure. She shared articles, vet information, and also had a hand in developing the very popular and supportive (and still active) EPIL-K9 Email list group and created the "Emma's Fund" at North Carolina State University-College of Veterinary Medicine where donations go towards clinical trials and research on Canine Epilepsy.

 

When I began my FiveSibes podcast on Dog Works Radio back in 2012, Marion was my very first guest for November's Epilepsy Awareness Month. I thought it would be a fitting tribute to share that podcast here for anyone who would like to listen to it. (It is also available on iTunes and Amazon music).

 

 

For years, Marion spearheaded the Canine Epilepsy Resources beautiful annual fundraiser - the EPIL-K9 Family & Friends Calendar - that featured so many of our beautiful dogs, both Epis and non. Each year, she collected tons of photos from list members and with great care, designed the calendar. Although it was quite an undertaking, Marion truly enjoyed working with members on the EPIL-K9 list on the calendar since it debuted in 2004! The pages of this beautiful calendar each year were graced by beautiful Epi-dogs and their non-Epi friends from across the world. Marion had said while it was a lot of work, "We love to have active pictures so that people can see that Epi-dogs can live a normal life." 

And that is so key! I always say, Epi-dogs can ~ and DO ~ live normal happy lives in spite of having seizures. For some, the road to managing seizures is a difficult one, but one I'd do all over again for the bond with my boy, Gibson, was such a close one. Epi-dogs still enjoy the same things all dogs enjoy, and Marion knew this many, many years ago. I admire the activities and hiking she did with her beautiful Emma, proving Epi-dogs can indeed enjoy the great outdoors! 

As Marion was quoted in her Cybermesa blog dated July4, 1998: "Wonderful news Emma got to the summit of the mountain and back to camp in 9 hours of very difficult walking/climbing over lots of loose rock. On the way down a thunderstorm overtook them but not to worry Emma was fine. She loves the water and waded across the river back to the campsite...Anyway my baby is back now and I am so very proud of her. What a change, so gentle reader never give up, no matter how bad it seems there is always a silver lining to the dark clouds."

Marion truly paved the way to putting a beautiful face—Emma's—on Canine Epilepsy awareness, when not much information was available.

Marion explained that while not all Epi-dogs can live a full life like her Emma did, "Always remember Epilepsy is NOT a death sentence...so gentle reader never give up, no matter how bad it seems there is always a silver lining to the dark clouds."   

This was what inspired me with my own Gibson to keep on looking—and finding—those silver linings for him and for other Epi-dogs. Oh, and my Gibson and I had many! 💜

Here is a snippet of the calendar covers and some random monthly pages from over the years that Marion helped design and create over the years...

Marion was so very proud of this fundraiser. Not only because the calendar highlighted all the beautiful Epi-dogs and their families, but also because it was the organization's big annual fundraiser. Marion had said, "Every year we send over $5,000 to Emma's Fund at North Carolina State University Vet School Department of Neurology. Dr Karen Muñana and her team have done a tremendous amount of work on Keppra and some of our dogs have been involved in the research. In our small way, we are really helping in this important research."

 

 Marion's story about her dear Emma was also featured in my book, EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy:

  

 

Marion's beautiful Emma was also a featured "Epi-Star" in my November 2022 series. If you would like to read the article, please visit my post HERE.

 

☙ Sharing Memories of Marion ❧

 

Marion and her beloved Epi-dog "Emma" touched so many lives. Below, please find some remembrances from those who worked with her, and whom she helped through her Canine Epilepsy awarenes and EPIL-K9 list... 

Note: If you have a lovely memory or tribute to Marion and would like to have it added to this, please drop me an Email at FiveSibesLiveGibStrong(at)gmail(dot)com. 

 

 ❧❧❧

 
 

Dr. Karen Muñana and Julie Nettifee, RVT, MS, VTS (Neurology)  

The Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab 

North Carolina State University-College of Veterinary Medicine 

Home of Marion's "Emma's Fund" for Canine Epilepsy Research  

"I had the privilege of meeting Marion and husband when they traveled to North Carolina for their grandson’s graduation from UNC. They also visited North Carolina State University (NCSU) and the College of Veterinary Medicine. With regards to the Canine Epilepsy Resources, when our Molly was diagnosed with idiopathic Canine Epilepsy, we tried to learn as much as we could about the disease. Canine Epilepsy Resources was the “go-to” site for our education. That place had many additional sources of Canine Epilepsy information, including research at NCSU. When I lost Molly to the disease, I donated a sample of her blood to a researcher at NCSU who was trying to find a genetic marker that would indicate if a dog would respond positively to Phenobarbital as a first seizure medicine. Molly’s blood made the cut for that research project because English Setters aren’t prone to Canine Epilepsy. Thanks to Marion’s web site, I felt the need to bring information about that important research, as well as NCSU-CVM research, to the attention of  Epi-dog owners and the general public. That outreach began in 2007 and continues into 2025. Thanks, Marion! Marion and Emma have now found each other at the Rainbow Bridge and are together again." 

~Kind regards, 

Willard Moore & Epi-Angel Molly (English Setter) 

A Mission For Molly Canine Epilepsy Outreach

North Carolina  

 

 

"Marion, thank you for all you did to bring awareness to Canine Epilepsy. Also for your kindness, friendship, caring, and support. While your work here is done, you and Emma will always be remembered. Rest in peace with your husband Terry by your side, along with your beloved Emma, the first 'face of Canine Epilepsy.'"  

~Dorothy & Epi-Angel Gibson 

FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepy Online Resource Library & #Paws4Purple Initiative

New York  

 

 

 

 

 "What an incredible lady our dear friend, Marion always was to all of us who came to know her through the Canine Epilepsy Resources website. What a gift she was to so many, she was always there for anyone who needed help, support, or just a shoulder to lean on…I never had the honor to meet Marion in person, however whenever I would reach out to her, my heart always felt the gift of her friendship…Marion was always there to help me with my Epi-dog Manilow and that alone made Marion such a great gift to me. Those very special Canine Epilepsy calendars she created year after year, they always left me speechless when I opened the latest one when they arrived in the mail. I hope somehow that Marion knew deep in her heart how many lives she touched in her lifetime…our hearts will always remember our special friend Marion Mitchell forever and always…

Love, 

Barbara & Epi-Angel Manilow 

Manilow's Canine Playground

 Massachusetts 

 

 

 

"Please pass on my condolences to Marion’s family. The website and information was so helpful and allowed me navigate life with an epileptic dog when there was so little information available. I lost my Hallie in May of this year, she was 14 1/2. I was honored to have all three of my dogs on the cover of the 2018 calendar. I have continued to donate to Emma’s fund every year.
~Marlene G. & Epi-Angel Hallie 
And  Fellow Aussies Jax, and Angel KD

  Northern California

 

 

 

 "I remember Marion well. She was so helpful to this (EPIL-K9) group. My sympathy to her family and friends."
~Kim M.

 

  

 

 "I'm so sorry to hear this. It's been a long while since I've been active. Bramley went over the bridge in 2019. Marion did so much. I remember her work on the calendar every year. Such a huge job. I recall her having to ask members to send photos so she could complete that year's edition. She really left a legacy with Emma's Fund and helped countless people who found themselves facing the scary and untraveled road of Canine Epilepsy. This forum was an absolute Godsend during Bram's journey. I'm truly not sure how I would have managed without all the knowledge and support that I gained. I expect Emma was waiting, with a wagging tale, to greet Marion. A sad time for her family.
~Nancy & Epi-Angel Bramley 

A GSD, also Hu-mum to his little sister, 7y/o Career Change Guide Dog pup, Ginny, Black Lab/Golden Retriever 

 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 

 

 

 

"Marion was such a blessing to the Canine Epilepsy group and her calendars were amazing.  I still have all of the ones I bought and treasure them. Our deepest sympathies to Marion's family. May she rest in peace and be surrounded by all of our Epi-Angels, until we are all together again.
~Terry & Epi-Angel Cheyenne 

 

 

 

"So sad. I have not had my epileptic dog for years now, but I always try to keep up with the group. So very sad!!
~Lorri C. B.

 

 

 

"Sending my sincere condolences to Marion’s Family. I haven’t contributed to the group in many years, but always remember Marion. I’m sure many Epi-warriors were there to greet her. Thank you, Marion, for all you have given to the group. Godspeed.  

 ~Angela & Epi-Angel Jessie 

 

 

 

"My deepest condolences to her family."  
~Stephanie   

 

 

 

Marion's family will be holding a private memorial service for her at a later date.  If you'd like to make a contribution in Marion's memory to her Emma's Fund, here is the information: 

 

 NCVMF - Emma's Fund 

 c/o Dr. Karen Munana/Julie Ann Nettifee 

The Companion Animal Epilepsy Research Lab  

Department of Clinical Sciences; Room B217H

North Carolina State University-College of Veterinary Medicine

1060 William Moore Drive

Raleigh, NC 27607  

Phone: 919-513-6812 

 

 

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