Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Hot Off the Press!


Today we were contacted by the good folks at Fido Friendly Magazine. They will be including Sparkles' story in an upcoming issue. Needless to say, we are really very excited (cover to the right is the current issue)!
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Just to give you an idea of the excitement of it all, on the Fido Friendly Magazine website, Hal Abrams from Animal Radio (America's most-listened-to pet show) said of the publication, "Let me just say that I read a lot of publications- you have the to if you're in the biz.... yours [Fido Friendly Magazine] is hands' down the best animal publication out there."
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Thank you so much for the good folks at Fido Friendly Magazine for helping spread Sparkles' story of her love for helping share fire safety!

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Thank you to Beth the Dog Lady at Doggies.com!


I am so excited! Today mom got a note from the "Beth the Dog Lady" from Doggies.com. I will be on her blog January 7th! Thank you so much to Beth and Doggies.com. This is exciting!

Thursday, December 25, 2008

New Activity Sheet

Here's the latest fire safety activity sheet. Click on the picture below and print out your own copy of the activity sheet. Have fun!

Attention kids, parents, teachers and fire departments. Have you checked out Sparkles the Fire Safety Dogs' fun fire safety activity and coloring pages? Check them out! We're adding new ones all of the time! Just click on the picture of Sparkles to see more!

Please feel free to add this button to help spread the fire safety message. Together, we can help keep children and their caregivers fire safe!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Sparkles and her Tulsa World Newspaper

Hi boys and girls!

The mailman brought my very own copy of the Tulsa World newspaper today and I was so excited to read the article about my visit to Celia Clinton Elementary School.

Thank you to my new friend Sara for the great article! To read Sara's article, click HERE.

Remember to practice fire safety everyday!
Love,
Sparkles

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Pictures from Celia Clinton Presentation

Hi boys and girls!

I had SO MUCH fun at Celia Clinton and couldn't wait to share the pictures that I got today!



Love,
Sparkles

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxPrincipal Tanya Davis and Sparkles


Book Reviews From Brenda, Robin and Dioselina

Today Sparkles received some book reviews and she'd like to thank Brenda, Robin and Dioselina for sending them in!

"I like the book a lot. It showed me a lot of stuff . Like if I was in a real fire and a smoke alarm would make noise like beep beep beep and would tell you fire fire fire a fire becuse my smoke alarm does that too. well got to run bye bye. "

Brenda, Age 10
Celia Clinton Elementary

Hi Brenda! Thank you so much for your really nice book review! I am so excited that you liked the book and learned what to do in case of fire. When you hear the sound of your smoke alarm, remember to crawl out of bed and get out of the house as fast as you can, crawling low. I hope that you and your family made an escape map and have a meeting place. A meeting place can be a tree, a mailbox or even a fence. Keep safe and remember to practice fire safety everyday!

Love, Sparkles
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"Dear Sparkles,

I learned a lot from you. How you would crawl down like that its a safer way to get away from a fire. And it was great that you made a book. And it was very smart to tell us not to touch a door with the palm of our hand. "

Sincerly,
Robin, age 9
Celia Clinton Elementary

Hi Robin! You really remembered your fire safety! Great job! You are right when you said that you shouldn't touch the door with the palm of your hand. Touch it with the back of your hand. If the door is not hot, you can go through it crawling low (remember to get out as fast as you can!) and if the door is hot, you can go out the window. Remember how important it is to practice your plan with your family so that you will know what to do if there is an fire. Thanks again for the great book review! You rock! Love, Sparkles
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"I like the book of sparkles the fire safety dog. That was a good book for the little kids. I like how you went to school and teach the children about fire safety. I like how you crawl down and show the kids. I like how you was and that little bed it was a cute bed. That was a cute story. I like that book because you went to teach just like a teacher. I like the book so much. To a cute dog name sparkles the super teacher. He is a sweet dog and a smart dog. He is a super dog. He is a smart teacher he is a cool dog and a sweet dog. He is a safety dog and taking good care of his friend and people. He is a good friend for me. I like sparkles for a sweet daycare dog for the whole town because he is a super dog."

Dioselina, age 10
Celia Clinton Elementary

Hi Dioselina!
Wow, you really made my day. Sparkles loves being a fire safety dog and helping keep people safe. It was really nice of you to say all of the very sweet things about her. Thank you so much for your note and remember to practice fire safety everyday! Love, Firefighter Dayna and Sparkles

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Book Reviews from Ron, Kayla, Patricia, Alan, Aaron and Rebeca

Hi Boys and Girls!

Today I received five book reviews from Ron, Kayla, Patricia, Alan and Aaron! Wow! That is a record! Thank you to everyone at Celia Clinton for sending them in. Keep them coming!

Love,
Sparkles

Here are the book reviews that I received today:

"Thank you for coming to our school to teach us fire saftey skills. I wish that you can come back to our school again to teach us fire safety skills. The book [Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog] that you gave me , I learned to crawl on my knees when there is a fire in the house and you always have a meeting place by the mailbox or by a the fence."

Ron, age 9
Celia Clinton Elementary

Thank you Ron for your great review! It sounds like you really learned alot and that you sure know your fire safety. Keep it up and great job! Love, Sparkles
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"Thank you four coming to our school. wish that my dog can do what you can do. That is just amazing my dogs are to wild to do that. I learned from the book [Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog] is that having a fire alarm is important. Dayna I think that sparkles is glad to have you as a mom and I like your book very much so thank you. "

Kayla, age 9
Celia Clinton Elementary

Hi Kayla! Your note really made me happy! I love being Sparkles mom and it makes me happy that you noticed how much she loves helping me teach fire safety. It's her favorite thing to do! You are correct, having a smoke alarm is really important and helps keep you and your family safe. Remember to test it once a month and change your batteries twice a year : )
Love, Firefighter Dayna P.S. Sparkles says for me to tell you way to !
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"Sparkles the part I like of your book [Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog] is were you teach the people about fire safety. The thing I learned is that you stop drop and roll. I appreciate you teaching us how to be firesafe. Keep teaching people fire safety Sparkles."

Patricia, age 9
Celia Clinton Elementary

Hi Patricia! Thank you so much for your note! I am so glad that you not only learned alot about fire safety, but that you mentioned that you appreciate it. That was so nice! Since you learned so much, maybe you can help me spread the fire safety message with your friends and family. That would be so awesome! Love, Sparkles
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"I learned that whenever theres a fire you should touch the door with your hand backwards. Whenever you see smoke , always crawl on the ground. When youre on fire stop,drop and roll. I also learned to find a meeting place. For me the best place for a meeting place is a tree.'

Alan, age 10
Celia Clinton Elementary

Hi Alan! Sounds like you really learned alot while I was at your school. That is so exciting! You are right, if your smoke alarm goes off, crawl to the door and feel with the back of your hand if it is hot or not. If it is not hot, open it carefully and crawl low getting out as fast as you can. If the door is hot, remember to go out your window : ) I am soooo excited that you found a meeting place! That REALLY makes my day! You're awesome! Love, Sparkles

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"Sparkles I like becaues sparkles help kids have fire safety. Sparkles the safety dog is a
great book my mom and dad love it. I love that sparkles can do things and fire safety. I
did know that people can do more in fire safedy."

Aaron, Age 10
Celia Clinton Elementary

Hi Aaron! I am so happy that you wrote me a book review and I am really happy that your mom and dad and you love my book. That makes my tail wag so fast! I love helping Firefighter Dayna teach fire safety. You can help me too by telling your friends and family to practice fire safety everyday! Thank you so much for your note! Love, Sparkles
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"I liked the picture when Sparkles was crawling low to demonstrate to us how to crawl low. And I learned that not to touch a doorknob when your house is on fire because you can burn your hand. Also I liked the picture when Sparkles was in the bed LOL!!! I wanted to ask a question do fire safety dogs go to fires or is it to dangerous for them to go? Well thank you for reading my note hope I here from you guys!!!"

Rebeca, age 9
Celia Clinton Elementary

Hi Rebeca!
Thank you so much for writing a book review! The picture of Sparkles crawling low is one of my favorite pictures too! She loves showing how to get low and go, get out and go to a meeting place! Remember, if your smoke alarm goes off, crawl to the door on your hands and knees and feel the door with the back of your hand if it is hot or not (and you remembered how important it was to use the back of your hand~ you really know your fire safety! That's awesome!). I'm so glad that you remembered that if the door is not hot to open it carefully and crawl low getting out as fast as you can. And remember, if the door is hot, go out your window. You make an awesome Jr. Firefighter!
Love, Firefighter Dayna and Sparkles

Monday, December 1, 2008

Book Review from Nisea, Age 9

"Thank you for coming to my school and telling us about your beautiful dog sparkles my mom loved her nails. I liked the book [Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog] because it taught me what I have to do if there was a real fire. Oh, and to change my batteries in my smoke alarm. Your book taught me a lot of things. I enjoyed you coming, thanks."

Nisea, 9

Celia Clinton Elementary School

Thank you for your book review, Nisea! I emailed you a special surprise for sending me a review!

Love, Sparkles

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Stop, Drop and Blog site mentions my new Ask a Firefighter program

Today I found the coolest blog, the Stop, Drop and Blog. The blog is hosted by the FireFamily: FireMom, FireDad, BigBrother and LittleBrother.

The Stop, Drop and Blog site was kind enough to mention my new program, Ask a Firefighter. You have just got to check out this blog! It gets a high paw!

Love,
Sparkles

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Book Review from Mark, age 9

"I liked the book [Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog]. I liked the good meeting places and how to get out of the house on time also how to get out of the house. I will show it to my family."

Mark, 9

4th Grader from Celia Clinton

Thank you so much for your great review Mark!

Love, Sparkles

Note from Mrs. Bryant's 4th Grade Class

I received this nice note from Mrs. Bryant's class today and I just had to share! Thank you for your great note! I just love getting emails!
Love,
Sparkles
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Sparkles,

Mrs. Bryant’s fourth grade class at Celia Clinton Elementary just wanted to thank you so much for coming to our school yesterday and teaching fire safety to all of us. We read your book today and we all loved it.

Thanks again,

Mrs. Bryant’s
4th Grade Class

Monday, November 24, 2008

Sparkles on KOTV News 6 in Tulsa

Today Sparkles visited Celia Clinton Elementary in Tulsa, Oklahoma and shared fire safety messages. KOTV News on 6 was on hand and did a news story on her visit.

Click HERE to see the article and video.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Celia Clinton Visit by Sparkles Coming Soon!

Sparkles and I can't wait to visit the students at Celia Clinton Elementary in Tulsa, Oklahoma this coming Monday!

After doing two presentations, Sparkles and I will be on hand to sign books for the children at the school.

Here's the press release:

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog to Visit Celia Clinton
11/24/2008, 9:00 a.m.
Location
CELIA CLINTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL


Students at Celia Clinton Elementary are set to seriously bone up on their knowledge of fire safety when Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog makes a presentation at their school.

If you’re not familiar with Sparkles — she’s quite the canine. (How many dogs do you know that have their own website?) Here’s a bit of a bio from that site (www.sparklesthefiresafetydog.com): “One of my favorite things is to help firefighters teach fire safety. I love helping show children, just like you, how to crawl low under smoke. I also love to ride on fire trucks. It is so much fun!”

Sparkles and her handler, firefighter Dayna Hilton, are delivering a series of presentations at Celia Clinton, the first at a 9:30 a.m. assembly on Monday, November 24.

The Rotary Club of Tulsa is helping to facilitate Sparkles’ visit. The Tulsa Fire Department will have a fire truck on hand.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery

Hi boys and girls!

Remind the folks that you live with that it is time to change their smoke alarm battery. This is also a great time to practice your home escape drill!
Love,
Sparkles

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Johnson County RFD #1 Donates 500 Copies of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog to Clarksville Primary School

Students at Clarksville Primary School in Clarksville, Arkansas were each asked to go home and work on their escape map after a fire safety presentation at their school. Each child that made a plan and practiced their escape drill (351 students!), had a special picture made. All children were given a copy of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog compliments of Johnson County RFD #1.


If your child received a copy of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog and would like to write a review, please see below. Sparkles would love to hear from you!

Kid's Book Reviews

Kids, tell us what you think of Sparkles' book! Write a review for our page, or send us your video link.

FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS
Our guidelines are simple! We would love to hear from your children (students). Read their published review online on our webpage.

Please help them send us the following:
First Name
Age and grade level
City and Country
Review of the book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog
Email to: sparkles@sparklesthefiresafetydog.com
Please put "Kids Review" in the subject heading.

We can't wait to read all of the reviews that come our way!
Teachers and parents, we would love to have your review too!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Firefighter Sam


As a fire safety educator, it is not often that you hear of the impact that your efforts have made. A couple of weeks ago, I received a note from Todd, father of four year old Sam. "Firefighter Sam" loves all things firefighting and he is a huge fan of PBS KIDS Sprout's Fireman Sam. At the end of each Fireman Sam segment, PBS KIDS Sprout airs fire safety tips with Sparkles, Spanner and myself on Sprout on Demand. It turns out that Firefighter Sam's dad found us on the web one day and we have been corresponding ever since.

Sam and his family are helping us with an exciting project that we can't wait to reveal very soon. They are excited about assisting us promote fire safety, and for that, we are very grateful!

In return for our gratitude, Sparkles, Spanner and I sent Sam a token of our appreciation. You can see more pictures on Sam's blog. I have got to tell you that Sam has one incredible blog!

Thank you to you, Sam, and your family for helping keep everyone fire safe!

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Sparkles' Coloring Page

Hey Kids!

Your coloring page could be featured on my blog! Click on the picture of Firefighter Ken to open my coloring page to print and color.

Send your colored version (less than 1 mb) to coloringpage@sparklesthefiresafetydog and I will pick one lucky picture to be featured on my blog in October!

Remember, firefighters are our friends and help keep us safe!
Good luck!











Attention kids, parents, teachers and fire departments. Have you checked out Sparkles the Fire Safety Dogs' fun fire safety activity and coloring pages? Check them out! We're adding new ones all of the time! Just click on the picture of Sparkles to see more!

Please feel free to add this button to help spread the fire safety message. Together, we can help keep children and their caregivers fire safe!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Ask a Firefighter

Brand New!

Ask a Firefighter

Sparkles invites children to submit their questions that they have for firefighters and a real live firefighter will answer their questions! Click on the button below to learn more.


Monday, September 1, 2008

Nice Note from a Sproutlet

Yesterday we received this nice note from Todd, the father of four year old Sam, a fan of all things firefighting, Fireman Sam and the fire safety tips on PBS KIDS Sprout.

Photo by Raleigh photographer Gregory Wiggs

Note from Sam's Dad, Todd:

"Sparkles and Spanner!" "Sparkles and Spanner!" Familiar words in my house. I happened upon your site quite by accident, but am glad that I did. My four-year-old son Sam is a huge fan of not only "Fireman Sam," but of you as well. Very few evenings go by that we don't see you, and the dogs on our television. I happened upon your site by accident, but I am glad that I did. It's good to know that you are a 'real person,' :-) who is actively involved in fire safety education. My son is enamored with all things firefighter. I'm not a firefighter, but because of his passion for it, we've gotten involved in our local FF community. Sam has become a regular fixture around several of the stations in our area. He has gotten to do things like riding in an engine, manning a hose at a training fire, and being in parade."

Sam's dad started a blog for him and it is really incredible! Visit Sam's site at http://www.firefightersam.com/ . You will be amazed at Sam's adventures! Kudos to Todd and Sam for becoming involved with their local fire departments!


If you have a story that you would like to share, we would love to hear it! Please send it to sparkles@sparklesthefiresafetydog.com.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

My Friend Tango

My new friend, Tango, is working hard to help me teach fire safety. Check out these out takes from when we were working on our new fire safety video. He is so silly!


Monday, June 16, 2008

Project SMILE Calendar

I had such a fun day today! I participated in a photo shoot for the annual Project Smile calendar with Southborough firefighter families Jim Peltier and Anthony Alessi.
Thank you to my new friend Linda Hubley, editor of southboroughnews.com, for catching these images of the photo shoot.



Saturday, June 7, 2008

Welcome, Tango!



Spanner has announced her retirement and has asked Tango to take her place. Tango was donated by Dalmino's Dals in Jenx, Oklahoma to help Firefighter Dayna teach fire safety. Thank you to Lori and Mac for allowing Tango to come to live with us in Arkansas.

This statement comes from Dalmino's and shares Tango's background.

"Tango, whose registered title is Champion Dalmino’s Conquistador, was the first to finish his Championship in a litter of seven champions. Very few litters include so many champion get. Tango’s sire, Ch. Tuckaway Winged foot is one of the top sires of Champions with 82 sons and daughters earning titles. He is the most winning Dalmatian of all time with 427 wins. Tango’s mother was the top producing Dalmatian the year the puppies debuted. A natural showman he quickly included several Bests of Breed as well. Tango was always friendly and outgoing to all and soon became a Junior handler’s beginning dog. Tango and Andrea made it to the Top Five Dalmatian Junior handlers in their first year.

Tango has participated in parades, greeted the public at the fair for the firefighters and has always been an outstanding ambassador for the breed. Tango was bred only once and has a lovely son that achieved his Championship with three Major wins (only two are needed). Most of all, he is the champion of all our hearts and his winning Dalmatian “grin” is always met with delight. We are so happy to have him with Dayna and continuing to give to us all by teaching fire safety skills.

Good boy “Mr. Handsome”! We all wish you well."



Tango with Spanner and Sparkles

Welcome Tango, we're glad you are here!

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Sparkles' Theme Song now available!


My new theme song is now available as a single, and I am so excited! You can find it on Amazon.com, emusic, and iTunes (US, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, UK/European Union, and Japan). You can even find it as a ringtone on Groupie Tunes! This original fire safety song was composed by my Firefighter Michael and was sung by Firefighter Michael and his friend Roger Haak.

The theme song will soon be available on Rhapsody, Napster, and Lala.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

We love pictures!

We love getting pictures from boys and girls reading our new book! It's so exciting!


Matteo sent us this picture of him and his dad reading my new book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog. Matteo is a Sproutlet who just loves watching Spanner, Firefighter Dayna and me, Sparkles, on Sprout on Demand.


High paw, Matteo! We're glad that you like the book and thanks for sending the great photo!

Picture from Liam, age 3

Sparkles received this really great picture from Liam, age 3. Liam is from Canada, and according to his mom, a big fan of Fireman Sam, Sparkles, Spanner and Firefighter Dayna.

Liam drew a picture of a ladder truck, Sparkles, Spanner and Firefighter Dayna. Thanks, Liam! We love your picture!

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Recording for audio book

Today was a big day! Spanner and I helped with the recording of the audio book.
We had so much fun!

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Work on Children's Fire Safety Audio Book Begins!

Today was a big today! Firefighter Michael began work on the audio book at the fire station. He was at the fire station getting sound effects. I just loved helping! The cd is going to have some very special surprises, including a new song you can sing along to!


Saturday, February 23, 2008

You can be a star!


Draw a picture of Sparkles and show off your artwork!

Kids, if you would like to see your artwork on Sparkles' webpage, email your pictures to:
sparkles@sparklesthefiresafetydog.com. We will put your drawing on the website (http://www.sparklesthefiresafetydog.com).

Want to mail it? Please send us an email and we will tell you where to send your artwork!
Please be sure to give us your first name and your age so that we can include it on the website.

Audio Book


Hey kids!

Firefighter Dayna, her dad, Firefighter Glenn, and son, Firefighter Michael are in the process of making Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog as an audio book! Wow!

You will have so much fun spending time with me as I helps teach fire safety. Spending the day with me is so much fun!
Sparkles

Monday, February 18, 2008

Book progress

Hi boys and girls!

I am soooo excited today! My new book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, is being worked on by a graphic artist. A graphic artist is a person that is making the book look all nice and pretty. Isn't that exciting? I can't wait for the book to come out, can you?

Speaking of safety, have you had the folks that you live with check your smoke alarm this month? Be sure to make sure that they check it so that you and your family can be safe!

Love,
Sparkles

Monday, February 4, 2008

Spanner makes video

Well, she's finally done it! Spanner is taking the spotlight and has made a video promoting my new children's fire safety book. Be sure to check it out!

Click on the picture of Spanner to watch!


Thursday, January 31, 2008

Welcome!


Hi everyone!

My name is Sparkles, and I am a fire safety dog. I am so glad that you are here visiting my blog!
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My main job as a fire safety dog is to help keep boys and girls JUST LIKE YOU and their families safe!
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Have you heard about my new book? I'm really excited about it and I know that you will be too!You can read the book and learn more about how I help firefighters. It's really fun helping teach fire safety! Soon you will be able to visit my webpage and learn more about my book!
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Come back real soon! I have lots of fun things planned and I can't wait to share them with you!
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Sparkles

Sparkles Visits IFSTA Headquarters




Last week, Firefighter Dayna and I went to Stillwater, Oklahoma to visit our good friends at IFSTA. We had so much fun! It was great seeing everyone and we didn't want to leave!