Although my precious angel left this earth just 16 days ago, I was and remain a big proponent of the Five Sibes’ Live Gib Strong Epilepsy Awareness Day. As many of you know, Elsa was adopted back in the autumn of 2016 and two weeks later was diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy following several severe Grand Mal seizures. Having owned an epileptic dog before, I knew a little about what to expect. Because I was 100% committed to keeping Elsa and helping her enjoy a good life with me despite being offered the option of returning her to the rescue. That option never occurred to me. Instead, I became obsessed with providing her with the best life possible. Enter two fellow bloggers who are lay experts in providing the best life for their own epileptic fur companions. FiveSibes and Knotty Toys for Good Dogs became my go-to for info, tips and resources and I couldn’t have found two more dedicated advocates for the treatment of canine epilepsy. Both of these remarkable epileptic ambassadors provided Elsa and I with amazing info to manage her condition along with our vet. My vet once told me, the advice I was getting from them both helped me keep Elsa’s seizures manageable all the while providing me with some much needed hope when I needed it most. To both of them, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Please keep sharing your valuable info and resources for epileptic pets as well as their caregivers all over the world. Thank you for all you do.
Many people don’t understand that epilepsy affects both the epi-warrior as well as the caregiver so having reliable and supportive info can make all the difference for us. I will always be grateful beyond words for their help as well as for all the resources they shared. Their advocacy makes me want to continue to be a supporter for Purple Day even though Elsa is now seizure free at the Rainbow Bridge. 
For more educational information and a list of resources, please watch this short video.
On a closer and more personal note, I also want to thank everyone who sent donations in Elsa’s name to RMOES Rescue as well as notes of condolences after she earned her angel wings. Your notes of gentle support have buoyed my heart and I know the rescue is equally grateful for your donations. Your supportive thoughts of comfort have been so very appreciated. Blogville is the truly the best at supporting its own and especially at times of heartache. If only words of gratitude were as easy and heartfelt to express as what your support has meant. I’m truly at a loss for the right words of gratitude and will simply leave it with the humble but deeply sincere “thank you,” from the bottom of my heart.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Bless you.
Thanks, you’re too kind.
Java Bean: “Ayyy, we are glad you are continuing to spread awareness about this! No doubt Elsa is sending down approving tail wags from beyond the Rainbow Bridge.”
Lulu: “Yes, it’s an important topic, and as you know, we have opinions about brain-related matters around here!”
Thanks, guys. No doubt Elsa would approve for us to continue to be part of the epi-community. We learned so much from folks that helped her live her best life.
Bless you and the other special needs moms
Thank you. All pets deserve the best, but especially those who have special needs. We were all in for her.
Hear Hear! To all the good people who do all this great work, and who show and share their hearts. Hugs to you mama.
Many thanks, Marc. You’re too kind with your comment.
MoniKa, Elsa was a lucky girl to have found you. You gave her a loving home, wonderful care & so much joy. Elsa had a truly wonderful life because of you.
I will always remember your sweet beautiful ninja.
Thank you for your kind words.
Sending you much love 💜
Many thanks Jeanann. She was one of the sweetest and beautiful standards I’ve ever known, even with all her quirks. A ‘still water runs deep’ kind of dog, but once she trusted you, you was beyond loyal and true. She is greatly missed. HUgs to you-sending gentle thoughts of comfort on both your recent losses. I cannot even fathom. 💔 💔
Elsa was so beautiful inside and out! <3 A true epi-warrior and she was so blessed to have you to take care of her as you were to have her to keep you in line. 🙂
I know you loved her with all your heart and still do!
Hugs and love, my friend! <3
Thank you. I was so blessed to have had her as long as I did. She was fierce but loving and sweet. I miss her so very much.
💜💜
Sweet post and a beautiful picture of a beautiful Angel………….
Hugs, Pam and Teddy too
Thank you. She was exceptional, inside and out and hope that by educating people about Purple Day, it will ultimately help pets and their caregivers. They should know they are not alone-there is help out there.
I totally forgot about Purple Day…OOPS. My bad…
Yes, while I haven’t known you, Wilson and Angle Elsa for very long, yet, I truly miss her and her bantering esp on those Nature posts. I am glad you made so many good memories with her, even though there were also all those scary times where she became epileptic. Bless you for never giving up, or giving her back to the rescue.
We’ve had Dalton since last in 2017, and several times my sons told me to get rid of him due to all his ‘PSTD’ issues and being fear aggressive towards men…even biting my hubby and both our sons…We know his triggers and try to soften their impact as much as we can. He’s such a sweetie when not being fearful or anxious. Nope not giving him back, until he has to go and live at the RB, hopefully not for many more years.
Lots of hugs going your way, to you and Wilson alike!
Thank you. I’ve been so touched by everyone’s gentle thoughts of comfort and grateful she with all her quirks affected people caring about her. She was a very special girl, and despite all her baggage, such a loving sweetie. Often times those kinds of dogs make the best fur companions and bring us such joy which makes their loss extra painful. Here’s to loads of time together with precious Dalton.
No thanks needed, Monika. We all share and feel the loss of Elsa. She will missed. Hope you and Wilson are carrying on as best you can. ❤️🩹
That’s very sweet of you, Eliza. We trying our best.
It makes my heart hurt that she is gone, still. The Five Sibes Mama does such a fabulous job with the Epi Resources. A friend of ours dog just started her Epi journey and I sent them the link to the resources, they were most thankful.
Thank you, Terry. And bless you for sharing with your friend. That info helped us for years. And Olivia from Knotty Dogs was equally as helpful and taught me a lot. Best of luck to your friend.
Thank you for making us aware of this special day. XO
Thanks. I hope it helps others who are part of this ‘club.’ Getting good info and implementing it can make all the difference in the world.
Sending big hugs! ❤️
Thanks so much, Kate. Your hugs are most appreciated.
I never knew K-9’s could get Epilepsy thought that was just a human disorder/disease
Both cats and dogs can be affected. That’s why educating about Purple Day is so important.
The two of you were so lucky to have found each other. It says something about a person when they don’t return a pet because it isn’t perfect. Mom would do anything for us no matter how hard it might be for her. Epilepsy is scary and very hard but you never gave up and Elsa appreciated all you did for her. We are so sorry you have lost her, but she knows you did everything you could for her and you fought for her. Hugs
Thanks Joy. It’s quite stunning to think some people think pets are disposable. I’d have done anything to try and give Elsa a good life. She deserved it as a sentient being and will always remain in my heart.
I am so sorry about your loss of Elsa. She was so beautiful. This is a beautiful tribute and I will remember purple day from now on. We had a pug who had seizures toward the end of her life but it was probably not epilepsi.
Thanks, Thomas. Hope your ski vacation went off without a hitch and the conditions were excellent. Seizures in any pet can be daunting and certainly not for the faint of heart. We hope people learn there are techniques and resources that can help manage them with the spread of Purple Day every March 26th. 💜
I must have known what day it was this morning when I put on my purple shirt! Sending you loads and loads of love. You are the best mom Elsa could ever have received. xoxoxo
Aww, aren’t you sweet. We hope with exposure and education, others can find the resources they need to live full and productive lives. 💜
I do what I can! 🙂 💞💜
Oh my, Monika. My heart aches for you, and I punch myself for missing your original post about her. 🙁 Losing a pet is so difficult – wishing you peace and strength to you. I know you’ve loved all your pets – and each of them remain in your heart because each of them touched you in a different way.
Many thanks for your kind comment, Frank. Losing Elsa has been rough but she will always be in my heart.
Just donated.
Bless you, Frank. Speaking on behalf of the rescue; we greatly appreciate your support and kindness. Thank you.
A beautiful post. Big healing hugs. Love you. ♥
Thanks much, Sandee. Appreciate it. 💜
You are so right, with any animal, they arrive and whatever the problem you deal with it.
Sadly there too many in society today who for whatever reason chose the easier option. We have such a disposable culture and it hurts to think how many beautiful pets end up being casualties of it. Hope Black Tot is feeling better.
Thank you…she has picked up again and being rewarded with bones.
Oh that really puts a smile on my face and in my heart. Yay Black Tot!
Wishing you peace, Monika.
Many thanks, John. With each day, we hope to get closer to that peace.
I think about you and Elsa often and wish you peace. Please give Wilson some good scritches from me.
Amy
Many thanks, Amy. Wilson says thanks, as do I for your gentle wishes.
we miss your ninja too.-.. why we all can not live forever or for a super long time and then we go together when we go?
It’s a question I’ve asked myself many times over the past few years, especially when there’s been a loss. Sadly, there are no good answers. These wonderful companions will live in our hearts.
Most of my pets have had some type of special medical need and like you, it would never ever occur to me to send them back. We just handle it. These organizations sound like a good resource for those experiencing something they are not familiar with. Thanks for sharing them.
Thanks, Martha. They are such a treasure trove of info-I was blessed to have discovered them and am totally convinced they helped me manage Elsa’s condition so much so that she led a fairly good life.
Many thanks, Lori. She is sorely missed every day. I still keep thinking she’ll pop her head up from her favorite bed. 💜
Such a beautiful girl. Sending you love.