BlogPaws 2011

So excited to be going to BlogPaws this year! Who else is going?

Wordless Wednesday

I can't wait to be a fire safety dog, just like you, Tango! Love, Siren

Siren is in training to become a fire safety dog, just like Sparkles and Tango. It won't be long before he is wearing his own red vest!

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, along with fellow "Most Heroic Dog of 2010" nominee, Surf Dog Ricochet, are mentioned on the USA Today website today

Target
USA Today's 2010 "Most Heroic Dog in 2010"

Target

Surf Dog Richochet with a signed check from her and Sparkles for Target's Bunker.

Today we are honored that Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, along with fellow "Most Heroic Dog of 2010" nominee, Surf Dog Ricochet, are mentioned on the USA Today website today and we wanted to share the link. Together, Sparkles and Richochet helped change the "vote to voices" to help carry on the work of Target, who saved the lives of U.S. Soldiers in Aghanistan.

Thank you to USA Today's Janice Lloyd for the beautiful article that she wrote about this whole experience and thank you to Judy and Ricochet for partnering on such an amazing project!

It's not too late to donate! To read more about the campaign to help Target's Bunker, visit HERE on Surf Dog Ricochet's site.

Pet Blogger Challenge

Just found this wonderful Pet Blogger Challenge. The challenge is to answer various questions about your blog.

1. When did you begin your blog? January 31, 2008

2. What was your original purpose for starting a blog? Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog's Blog started out as a way to share the adventures of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog and share fire safety tips, helping keep children and their caregivers fire safe.

3. Is your current purpose the same? Yes.

If so, how do you feel you've met your goals? There are so many children to reach. Everytime that I read of a fire related death, it makes me want to work that much harder. Since we started this blog, we have helped save the lives of 7 children and 2adults.

4. Do you blog on a schedule or as the spirit moves you? Since the fire safety dogs and I are out on the road alot, I blog as time permits.

5. Are you generating income from your blog? No.

6. What do you like most about blogging in general, and your blog in particular (bragging is good!)? This blog helps us share the fire safety message in unique fun ways, and also helps other educators and firefighters, as we provide resources for them as well.

7. What do you like least? Not having enough time to blog as much as I would like to.

8. How do you see your blog changing/growing in 2011? Since I have added a new puppy to the mix, I hope to follow his adventures as well. Since Sparkles passed away, the new dog, Siren, will be blogging.

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog Nominated as Most Heroic Dog of 2010 by USA Today

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, rescued from a home with 62 other dogs and who helped save the lives of 7 children and 2 adults from fire with her fire safety efforts, has been nominated for USA Today's Most Heroic Dog of 2010.

Sparkles is honored to share this nomination with four other amazing dogs, including Target, who was an amazing heroic dog.

Five year old Angelica shared this story with me, "Firefighter Dayna~ I was in bed under the 'cobers' and the smoke came. I crawled out of bed and crawled low, just like Sparkles [the Fire Safety Dog] showed me to. I said, 'C'mon daddy, you have to get on the floor and crawl low like Sparkles.'"

By this time, her dad was disoriented because he had been standing in the smoke filled room. Thankfully, he was able to follow Angelica out of the house. The firefighters later shared with me that Angelica's father followed her out of the home and they said that as soon as he reached the door, the firefighters scooped him up and took him to the hospital (where he spent 7 days~ 4 in ICU). Immediately after they carried him away from the front door, the firefighters stated that the home flashed over (a "flashover" is where the home totally becomes engulfed in flames).

You may watch a video of the story of Sparkles' life saving efforts and hear more about this incredible story HERE.

Although Sparkles recently passed away, her passion for helping keep children fire safe will live on. Thank you to USA Today for nominating Sparkles and for helping raise awareness of the importance of fire safety.

Painting Arrives from Artist Carol Chretien

The beautiful oil painting, "Siren's Call to Service," by artist Carol Chretien, arrived in Arkansas. We loved the photos of the painting that we had seen, but when we saw the painting in person, it is breath-taking!

Tango checking out the package from Carol. Well, let's open it, Mom!

Siren likes surprises! Tango and Siren

Siren loves his new portrait! Not only did we like the front, we liked the back as well! Very thoughtful!



Carol wrote a beautiful post on her blog, describing what inspired her to make this painting.

Thanks to the thoughtfulness of Carol, the fire safety dogs and I will have yet another way to help carry on the work of Sparkles through the Keep Kids Fire Safe Foundation. The painting will help us raise funds for the foundation, and will, in turn, help the foundation provide low or no cost fire safety materials to children, fire departments, schools and other organizations.

Carol donated the painting to the fire safety dogs and myself. Prints of the painting as well as other items will be available with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the foundation.

Below are some pictures of the painting's progress.


October 28th

November 3rd

November 7th
November 15

Thank you so much, Carol for your thoughtfulness and for helping us keep children and their caregivers fire safe!