Sunday, March 6, 2011
Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog's Fire Safety Site on Sprout
Sparkles' fire safety site on the PBS Kids Sprout webpage. Fun videos, games and activity sheets for the pre-schooler in your life! To go the page, click HERE.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Meet our sponsor, First Alert!
It's official! First Alert has been supporting our fire safety efforts since 2006. We are excited that they are the official sponsor of our program! If you look on Sparkles' blog, you will notice that we now have First Alert's logo on the page! Thank you to First Alert for sponsoring our fire safety efforts and for helping us keep children and their caregivers fire safe.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Surf Dog Ricochet and Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog Raise over $5,000 for Target's Bunker
Our latest press release!
SURF DOG RICOCHET & SPARKLES THE FIRE SAFETY DOG RAISE $5074 FOR TARGET THE HERO DOG EUTHANIZED AFTER SAVING LIVES IN AFGHANISTAN
SAN DIEGO, CA, January 31, 2011… More than $5000 has been raised for Target's Bunker in a fundraiser that came out of USA Today's Most Heroic dog of 2010. Surf Dog Ricochet, the SURFice dog, and Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog were among the five nominees, along with Target, the Afghanistan dog who saved many soldiers lives, only to lose hers to an erroneous euthanization. Ricochet & Sparkles turned their votes into voices for Target, and began raising funds and awareness for her.On January 7th, Ricochet and Sparkles asked their supporters to turn their votes into voices during USA Today's Most Heroic Dog of 2010. In addition, they started a fundraiser to help Target's Bunker, an organization founded by Target's family. Donations came in from all over the country. Thanks to their generous donors, $5074 has been raised.
Target saved the lives of many soldiers in Afghanistan when a suicide bomber walked into a Border Patrol compound. Target, along with two other stray dogs, attacked the bomber. Despite the bombing... she survived. SGT Terry Young adopted Target, and brought her back to live with him in Arizona. One Friday afternoon, Target got out of the yard, and ended up in a shelter. Tragically, by Monday morning, she was erroneously euthanized. Target's Bunker has been formed with the hope of keeping another tragedy like Target's from happening ever again.
As this fundraiser comes to a close, a check for $5074 will be presented to SGT Terry Young in the name of Target's Bunker. Since Target's Bunker is in it's infancy stages of development, both Ricochet and Sparkles will continue their support of Target's Bunker through their individual non profit organizations. They encourage you to make tax deductible donations through either of their pages:
Puppy Prodigies/Surf Dog Ricochet, a 501(c)3 non profit organization, "A Tidal Wave for Target's Bunker" Fundraiser
SURF DOG RICOCHET & SPARKLES THE FIRE SAFETY DOG RAISE $5074 FOR TARGET THE HERO DOG EUTHANIZED AFTER SAVING LIVES IN AFGHANISTAN
SAN DIEGO, CA, January 31, 2011… More than $5000 has been raised for Target's Bunker in a fundraiser that came out of USA Today's Most Heroic dog of 2010. Surf Dog Ricochet, the SURFice dog, and Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog were among the five nominees, along with Target, the Afghanistan dog who saved many soldiers lives, only to lose hers to an erroneous euthanization. Ricochet & Sparkles turned their votes into voices for Target, and began raising funds and awareness for her.On January 7th, Ricochet and Sparkles asked their supporters to turn their votes into voices during USA Today's Most Heroic Dog of 2010. In addition, they started a fundraiser to help Target's Bunker, an organization founded by Target's family. Donations came in from all over the country. Thanks to their generous donors, $5074 has been raised.
Target saved the lives of many soldiers in Afghanistan when a suicide bomber walked into a Border Patrol compound. Target, along with two other stray dogs, attacked the bomber. Despite the bombing... she survived. SGT Terry Young adopted Target, and brought her back to live with him in Arizona. One Friday afternoon, Target got out of the yard, and ended up in a shelter. Tragically, by Monday morning, she was erroneously euthanized. Target's Bunker has been formed with the hope of keeping another tragedy like Target's from happening ever again.
As this fundraiser comes to a close, a check for $5074 will be presented to SGT Terry Young in the name of Target's Bunker. Since Target's Bunker is in it's infancy stages of development, both Ricochet and Sparkles will continue their support of Target's Bunker through their individual non profit organizations. They encourage you to make tax deductible donations through either of their pages:
Puppy Prodigies/Surf Dog Ricochet, a 501(c)3 non profit organization, "A Tidal Wave for Target's Bunker" Fundraiser
Ricochet and Sparkles believe thousands and thousands of dollars can be raised for hero dog, Target, and ask folks around the world to join their quest by making a donation, and/or help raise awareness by getting the word out about their initiatives... which will ultimately save lives.
For more information, contact Judy Fridono/SurfDog Ricochet at pawinspired@aol.com, 707-228-0679 or Dayna Hilton/Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog at sparkles@sparklesthefiresafetydog.com, 479-979-7328 http://www.sparklesthefiresafetydog.com
Helping out Emma Zen
Our good friend, Emma Zen is trying to raise money to purchase oxygen masks for fire departments. The dogs and I wanted to help out, so we are sent Emma Zen 5 copies of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog books and 5 audio books. This book has been credited with helping save the lives of 9 people and we are so happy to help support a good cause!
We help out with many causes, including helping Target's Bunker along with Surf Dog Richochet, the Keep Kids Fire Safe Foundation, and supporting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Wordless Wednesday
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!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
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
USA Today's 2010 "Most Heroic Dog in 2010"
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
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.
Friday, January 7, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
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!
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.
Thank you so much, Carol for your thoughtfulness and for helping us keep children and their caregivers fire safe!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog Memorial Pathway on the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation's Walk of Honor
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has designated a special section in the Walk of Honor to honor and remember Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog and her fire safety efforts. Please consider joining this worthy cause by making a donation for a brick in this special section.
The brick walkway links the official National Fallen Firefighters Monument honoring all fallen firefighter heroes to the historic firefighters Chapel as it winds its way through the National Memorial Park, site of the annual National Memorial service. Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in 1992 to honor all fallen firefighters and to assist their survivors in rebuilding their lives.
Now is the time to show your support for fire safety education and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation by helping to complete this permanent tribute to the American fire service.
Attached you will find a information on Sparkles' Memorial pathway on the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Walk of Honor in Emmitsburg, Maryland at the National Fire Academy campus.
You have two options for ordering bricks (please note the first option has very short deadline of December 31): 1)The first bricks will be laid in June. In order to have your bricks laid at that time, please contact Judy Whitlow at 301-447-7913 December 30th (she will be in the office the rest of the day today and from the 27th-30th) 2) All breaks ordered after December 31 will be placed on Sparkles' walkway at a later time.
A memorial service is being planned for June in Emmitsburg. More information will be forthcoming.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Happy Holiday Greetings from our Friends at the Keep Kids Fire Safe Foundation
Happy Holidays from our friends at the Keep Kids Fire Safe Foundation.
The Foundation Board and staff would like to thank you for helping support the foundation and its programs.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog Featured in New Book by Happy Tails Books
The fire safety dogs and I are honored that Sparkles is one of the 60 dogs featured in a new book by Happy Tails Books, entitled, "Lost Souls: Found! Inspiring Stories About Dogs." The book can be found at www.happytailsbooks.com or Amazon.com.
Happy Tails Books donates a significant portion of proceeds back to the rescue groups who help gather stories for the books. Sparkles was rescued by the Dalmatian Assistance League of Tulsa.
You may find the book preview HERE.
New Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog Column on Sparkles' Kids Zone on firelife.com!
Check out the fire safety dog's recent appearance on Rainbow's Rescue Romp with our friend Rainbow Diamond, fan photos, and more!
Click on the picture below to see all the fun!
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