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!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
New Coloring Page!
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!
Webmasters and bloggers: 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!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
New Firefighter Dayna and the Fire Safety Dogs Program and Skype Request Form
Click on the button below to submit your request!
New Sparkles Kids Zone Column on firelife.com!
Sparkles' new column is out on her Kids Zone page on the Firelife.com site!
Click on the picture to see her column and even download a free coloring page!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog Ringtone now Available for iPhone Users
Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog ringtone by Michael Post and Roger Haak now available for iPhone users. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Keep Kids Fire Safe Foundation.
Order directly on your iPhone.
Kids love it!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Winner of the Latest Guessing Contest!
Congratulations to Lynne Linger and her two dals, Delainey and Sparky (Delainey is on the left, Lynne in the middle and Sparky on the right), for winning our latest guessing contest!
The contest was very simple. People had to guess how many pictures that they thought I would take when I went to pick up Siren. Lynne was right on the money and won a autographed and "pawtographed" copy of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog and a combination Smoke / CO alarm from our friends at First Alert!
I was so busy with my new little guy that day, that I hardly took any pictures! Lynne commented on her note to us, "I was very excited to win your contest (guessing how many pictures you would take the weekend you brought Siren home) and I thank you for the nice prizes! I've been watching Siren grow on Facebook and you're doing a great job with him. Good luck with him, Tango and your fire safety program!"
Thanks, Lynne, and congratulations!
The contest was very simple. People had to guess how many pictures that they thought I would take when I went to pick up Siren. Lynne was right on the money and won a autographed and "pawtographed" copy of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog and a combination Smoke / CO alarm from our friends at First Alert!
I was so busy with my new little guy that day, that I hardly took any pictures! Lynne commented on her note to us, "I was very excited to win your contest (guessing how many pictures you would take the weekend you brought Siren home) and I thank you for the nice prizes! I've been watching Siren grow on Facebook and you're doing a great job with him. Good luck with him, Tango and your fire safety program!"
Thanks, Lynne, and congratulations!
Friday, November 5, 2010
The Thoughtfulness of Others....
Thanks to the thoughtfulness of artist Carol Chretien, 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 is in the process of making a beautiful painting of Siren and is donating 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.
Carol has entitled her painting, "Siren's Call."
Below are some pictures of the painting's progress. We can hardly wait to see the finished piece!
October 28th
November 3rd
November 7th
November 15
Carol is in the process of making a beautiful painting of Siren and is donating 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.
Carol has entitled her painting, "Siren's Call."
Below are some pictures of the painting's progress. We can hardly wait to see the finished piece!
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