The Epi Dog Mom Blog

Aussie Love, Epilepsy Struggles, and the Hope That Keeps Us Going

POSTS

  • 33 Days Seizure Free + Berry Good Pupcicles for Summer 🍓🫐

    It’s hard to believe, but Forrest is officially 33 days seizure free — the longest stretch he’s had without a medication change or dose increase since our world changed on July 19, 2024.

    We’re creeping up on the one-year mark of his seizure journey, and while we’re not out of the woods, this season feels different. Lighter. Like I can breathe again, even if just a little. 🌿

    He’s had two acupuncture treatments and will go for his third one in a few days, right before the fireworks begin for the Fourth of July — a holiday that honestly makes me more nervous than festive. But we’re going in prepared and supported, and that’s the best we can do.

    💜 A Year of Learning, One Day at a Time

    Last summer, I avoided anything that felt remotely “exciting.” I didn’t even pull out his pool — I was too afraid. It had once seemed like playtime was a seizure trigger. And maybe it was. Or maybe his brain just wasn’t supported the way it is now with his meds and holistic care.

    But the other day, I filled up his pool again. It felt like a small thing — but to us, it was huge. He splashed. I smiled. And for a few minutes, we just let ourselves enjoy the moment without fear of the “what if.” Lately, I’m doing better at that. The way he bounces back so quickly is truly inspiring.

    Life with an epi dog means constantly balancing joy with caution. It means making peace with the unknown, because even on the best days, we don’t know when the next seizure will come. He’s had a few focal seizures recently — likely his brain’s way of fighting off something bigger. Still, I’m thankful. Every moment counts.

    🍓 Berry Good Pupcicles – Summer Treats for Your Pup

    With summer in full swing and the July 4th holiday upon us, I want to share a fun (and helpful!) recipe with you — Forrest-approved frozen treats that are easy, healthy, and safe for dogs on special diets. Make these now so you’ll have some yummy frozen treats ready to go when your dog needs something to calm him and take his mind off the all the fireworks.

    Berry Good Pupcicles

    Ingredients:

    • Blueberries
    • Strawberries
    • Plain Greek yogurt
    • Bananas (green or partially green — less sugar!)

    🌀 Instructions:

    1. Blend everything together until smooth.
    2. Pour into silicone molds — paw and bone shapes are extra cute, but anything works.
    3. Freeze and serve as a deliciously cooling, brain-boosting snack!

    Bonus tip: These are great for dogs who need low-sugar, antioxidant-rich treats — and they smell great too! This recipe is also pawfect for frozen lick mats, Kongs and West Paw Toppls too! Find our fav enrichment products (and more or our fav things!) in our Amazon store.

    (We may earn a small commission (at no cost to you!) on purchases made through our Amazon store.) https://www.amazon.com/shop/forrestakalittledude?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_35N9V5HM13K8NX4849K7_1

    This season, we’re choosing to celebrate the little wins. A splash in the pool. A belly full of pupcicles. A stretch of calm days that feel like grace in motion.

    From our lavender world of grace — we’re holding onto hope and walking by faith. 💜

  • A Busy Week & Forrest’s First Acupuncture Experience 💉

    Hey friends, it’s been a busy week so I haven’t posted in a week because I’ve been juggling a lot, but I wanted to share an pupdate of what’s been going on in our lavender world this past week. 🐾

    Forrest had his very first trip to get acupuncture. He also tried electro-acupuncture, B12 injections, and laser therapy. I was honestly nervous about the whole experience — the trip itself is a long way from our house, so I had to take off work. I worried that the travel or any of the treatments might trigger a seizure, but thankfully, he did amazing, and no seizures came from it.

    We’re really hopeful about the difference these therapies could make in his seizure activity, and we’re looking forward to his next session.

    Speaking of seizures, Forrest had his 12th grand mal seizure since July 19th, 2024 — this morning at 3:08 AM. That’s only 22 days since his last one. I felt like it was coming on because he’s been shaking his head more the past couple of days and scratching his ears and rubbing his face last night. Even with his last phenobarbital dose increase on March 31st, he’s back in his usual seizure window of 17–23 days. Unless the seizures get closer together or worse, I’m hesitant to add more meds because of the long-term effects on his organs and quality of life. It’s such a hard balance — no clear answers with epilepsy, but I have to prioritize his quality of life. He’s only 8 years old, and I pray for many more years with him. Between seizures, he’s still his happy, energetic self, and that’s all I can ask for. During his seizure this morning, I sang Jesus Loves Me to him and quoted Psalm 23 over him, tears rolling down my face. I love him so deeply, and it tears my heart apart every time he has a seizure.

    It never gets easier, though. I still research and learn, even after 10 months on this journey. But it’s not the same heavy burden as before when I felt like everything could trigger a seizure and I had to walk on eggshells. Aside from fireworks and us being apart, I haven’t found any clear triggers — believe me, I study him closely. That helps ease some stress.

    Thankfully, I’m off work today so we have had a mostly chill recovery day because seizure days are busy days — stripping the bed, giving him a bath, and doing all the laundry. I try to get all that done in the morning so I can spend the rest of the day just being with him. Right now, I’m working on my computer while he rests beside me. After I write this, I am planning to disconnect and rest with him so I will be ready to work tomorrow.

    The next big challenge I’m facing is the fear around giving his heart worm prevention, Revolution. I’ve been praying so specifically about it — telling God my plan to give it five days after his next seizure, when his threshold has hopefully built back up, and wanting to do it on a Friday off or a Saturday morning so I can monitor him all weekend. But that meant hoping he’d need to have a seizure on a Monday morning — and well, here we are. He had one this morning, Monday morning. I’m working Friday, but I can give it Saturday morning. His neurologist said I can give an extra dose of Keppra that day for extra coverage. Please say a prayer for us — I haven’t given him preventatives since his seizures started last July. We live in a high heartworm area, so I can’t keep putting him at risk. If he got heartworms, it would be especially hard on him given his condition.

    That’s what’s been going on here lately — ups, downs, but always so much love. ❤️

    Since it’s Memorial Day weekend, I’m also reflecting on the value of life, the precious moments we have with those we love, and the strength it takes to keep going even when things feel hard.

    How do you stay strong during the tough days with your fur babies? I’d love to hear your stories or tips.

    From our lavender world of grace — we’re holding onto hope and walking by faith. 💜

  • Forrest Friday: Weekend Mode Activated🌤

    Unplugged, Unbothered, and Paw-dorable

    Hey frenz!
    It’s me — Forrest, your favorite floofy nugget. 🐾

    This weekend? We’re going off the grid! My human says it’s time for a break, and honestly? I fully support it. The only notifications I need are belly rubs and treat alerts. She may share a quick pupdate or two about me, of course. After all, she is my social media Momager.

    While Mom disconnects from the online noise, I’m getting some serious me-time too…
    That’s right — tomorrow is Spaw Day for this good boy!

    🧼 A warm bath (with the fancy anti-itch shampoo that smells so good!
    💅 A fresh pawdicure — because these toe beans deserve to shine.
    ✂️ A trim to keep my floof in check.
    💨 And of course, a full zoomie recharge cause no spaw day is complete without zoomies!

    Self-care looks different for everypawdy, but for us it’s bubble baths, grooming, snuggles, snacks, naps and stepping away from the chaos for a bit. One paw at a time.💛

    So this weekend, we’re choosing to disconnect from WiFi and connect with each other.
    Stay pawsitive and take a nap this weekend, frenz. You’ve earned it.

    Paws up for Friday!

    • Forrest’s Fishy Fusion: A Frozen Treat That’s Totally Re-Bark-Able! 🐟

      If your pup’s taste buds are ready to make a splash, this one’s for them! Introducing Forrest’s Fishy Fusion—a healthy, long-lasting frozen treat that’ll have tails waggin’ and noses sniffin’ (from across the room… seriously).

      Made with real salmon, nutrient-packed veggies, blueberries, and gelatin-rich broth, these pupsicles are paw-sitively loaded with goodness! The best part? You can pour the mix right into your pup’s favorite freezable treat toy to keep them busy and happy. Check out the one Forrest uses here! 🧊🐾

      🐟 Forrest’s Fishy Fusion Recipe:

      • 5 oz cooked salmon (boneless & skinless)
      • ¾ cup gelatin broth (for those jiggly joint-boosting vibes)
      • 2 oz steamed veggies (think broccoli, green beans, or zucchini)
      • 2 oz blueberries (nature’s candy!)
      • 🐟 Optional Add-In: Add a drizzle of MCT oil for extra brain-boosting benefits — especially helpful for pups with seizures! 🧠💪

      Blend it all up, pour into molds or toys, and freeze until solid. It’s that easy! 🐾 This recipe makes just the right amount to fill the 6 molds that come with the treat-dispensing toy linked above! Forrest loves it, and best of all — it lasts him a long time! 🐶💙

      💨 Warning: May cause fish breath. 🙊 But let’s be honest… that tail-wagging joy? Totally worth it. 🐟🐶☺️

      Give it a try, and let us know if your pup is hooked! 🎣 Tag Forrest on social media(link below) and use the hashtag: #ForrestsFishyFusion

      🛒 This post contains an affiliate link. That means if you make a purchase through the link, we may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. Every purchase made through our affiliate link helps support Forrest’s medical care — from his seizure meds to his special diet. Thanks for helping keep this happy boy’s nub wagging strong!

    • Epi Dog Survival Toolkit: Seizure Log & Support 💜


      The Importance of Tracking and Being Prepared for Your Epi-Dog’s Seizures

      If you’re an epi dog mom like me — or dad — you know how overwhelming it can feel to navigate your dog’s epilepsy. Every seizure brings a mix of emotions—concern, fear, and sometimes frustration. But one of the best ways I’ve found to cope and feel more in control is by tracking my dog’s seizures. It helps me feel more prepared for what comes next.

      Why Tracking Matters So Much

      Tracking your dog’s seizures might not seem like the most exciting thing, but trust me—it makes a world of difference. By keeping a log of Forrest’s seizures, I’ve noticed patterns and possible triggers I wouldn’t have noticed otherwise. Whether it’s the time of day, a particular activity, or something in their diet, knowing these details helps us take better care of our epi pups. Plus, it’s such a relief to have all that information in one place when we go to the vet. It’s not just a log; it’s peace of mind.

      Being Prepared Brings Calm in the Chaos

      As any epi parent will tell you, seeing your dog have a seizure is terrifying. But the more prepared I am, the calmer I feel during those moments that are anything but calm. Knowing exactly what to do, how to comfort Forrest, and how to administer his rescue meds makes everything a little less overwhelming. I’m able to be there for him in a way that’s calm and loving, instead of panicking.

      A Seizure Log Can Be a Lifeline

      For me, the seizure log has been an absolute game-changer. It’s so simple but so powerful—tracking each seizure, its duration, symptoms, and anything else I notice. It gives me a sense of control and helps me make sure Forrest is getting the right care. And when we’re at the vet, or conversing with his neurologist, I can show them everything I’ve written down, so we can make the best choices together.

      Being Ready for Emergencies

      While I haven’t yet experienced a seizure that went beyond the usual, I know how important it is to be prepared just in case. Recognizing the signs of a potential emergency—like a seizure lasting longer than normal or multiple seizures in a row—can make a huge difference in getting your dog the care they need quickly. Having a plan in place and knowing when to reach out for help is key to being proactive and ensuring your dog stays safe.

      I created a free Epi Dog Seizure Log & Journal because I know how important it is to track, stay organized, and be ready. It’s downloadable, printable. I know this tool will help bring some comfort, confidence and organization to your journey, just like it has for me. You’ve got this, and so does your sweet epi pup.

      If you found this helpful, please share it with a friend who has an epi-dog. We’re all in this together, and the more we support each other, the better we can care for our pups.

      From our lavender world of grace — we’re holding onto hope and walking by faith. 💜

      Epi-Dog Survival Toolkit: Seizure Log & Support.

      PDF / DOWNLOADABLE / PRINTABLE

      dog seizure log-3Download