Firefighter Dayna, Tango and Siren on Fire Engineering Talk Radio August 4th!

Firefighter Dayna, Tango and Siren on Fire Engineering Talk Radio August 4th!

Join Dayna, Tango and Siren live on Fireengineering.com Radio to learn all the latest about the adventures of the fire safety dogs and about Sparkles' Kids Zone, only on firelife.com! 7:30 ET

Firefighter Dayna, Tango and Siren on Fire Engineering Talk Radio June 9th!

Join Dayna, Tango and Siren live on Fireengineering.com Radio to learn all the latest about the adventures of the fire safety dogs and about Sparkles' Kids Zone, only on firelife.com! 7:45 ET

#1 Sparkles Drive is Finished!

After spending nearly 400 hours, #1 Sparkles Drive is now complete, thanks to the wonderful craftmanship of Susan Heikkila of the Ward Fire Department (AR)! #1 Sparkles Drive is a 1/12th scale model of an old fashioned two story firehouse, complete with pole.

According to Susan, this little firehouse is "big on love and craftsmanship." And no wonder! Susan's passion for this project, along with her friend Suzanne Schwabb of Suzanne’s Dollhouses in O’Fallon, MO, was fueled to help Firefighter Dayna and the fire safety dogs and Friends of Sparkles raise funds* for Sparkles’ Pathway, a section of the Walk of Honor® at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation®.

The walkway will honor Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog and her work with children and fire safety, and will help keep her memory alive in all the hearts that loved and knew her.

This firehouse will be raffled off in July. Stay tuned for upcoming information regarding the raffle.

To learn more about Sparkles’ pathway, visit http://www.sparklesthefiresafetydog.com/sparklesmemorialpathway.html and the National Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation, visit http://www.firehero.org/.

#1 Sparkles Drive Under Construction

Breaking ground #1 Sparkles Drive permit Beautiful furniture by Susan!

The firehouse bay area
Sparkles' Dressing Table

Thank you Susan and Suzanne for this amazing gift!

*Please note that this fundraising effort is not sponsored by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. It is sponsored by the Friends of Sparkles to help support the work of NFFF.

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.

Sparkles and Sparkles' Pathway in National Fallen Firefighter Foundation's Survivor Newsletter

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation publishes a newsletter for survivors of fallen firefighters and others interested in issues that relate to line-of-duty death. The newsletter focuses on survivor issues, benefits, and Foundation programs.

We are very honored that Sparkles and Sparkles' Pathway is featured in their Winter 2011 issue. To view the article, click on the picture below. Sparkles' story is on page 6.

To learn more about Sparkles' Pathway and how you can help support the work of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, click HERE.

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

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.

#1 Sparkles Drive

#1 Sparkles Drive is a 1/12th scale model of an old fashioned two story firehouse, complete with pole. This little firehouse is big on love and craftsmanship.

The firehouse, donated by Suzanne Schwabb of Suzanne’s Dollhouses in O’Fallon, MO and crafted by Susan Heikkila of the Ward Fire Department, will help raise funds for Sparkles’ Pathway, a section of the Walk of Honor® at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation®. The walkway will honor Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog and her work with children and fire safety, and keep her memory alive in all the hearts that loved and knew her.

Firefighter Heikkila has raised funding for other ventures and is performing her miniature magic again to bring this firehouse to life.

This firehouse will be raffled off soon, so stay tuned!

To learn more about Sparkles’ pathway, visit http://www.sparklesthefiresafetydog.com/sparklesmemorialpathway.html and the National Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation, visit http://www.firehero.org.

Stay tuned for in progress/under construction reports.

About Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog: To learn more about Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, click HERE.

About Suzanne: Although not in fire service, Suzanne is a big supporter of firefighters everywhere, and donated the wonderful gift of this firehouse. She has helped with funding a firehouse/fundraising program in several states. Her first venture in AR was is partnership with Firefighter Susan Heikkila, Ward Fire Dept.

About Susan: For those of you that made it to the convention in Hot Springs this year, a firehouse made by Susan was auctioned to help build the Arkansas Fallen Firefighters’ Memorial.

Breaking ground

#1 Sparkles Drive permit

Beautiful furniture by Susan!

The firehouse bay area

Sparkles' Dressing Table

Thank you to Suzanne and Susan for this amazing gift! More pictures to come, so stay tuned!

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 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!

Latest Skype Visit Testimonial

The fire safety dogs and I were very excited to receive this testimonial from Crestview Elementary in Ohio on a Skype visit that the fire safety dogs, Firefighter Jim and I had done in October . Thank you for the wonderful review!

"The second grade students at Crestview Elementary had the opportunity to do a Skype visit with author Dayna Hilton and Firefighter Jim. The students and teachers were so excited about the visit and were not disappointed. Firefighter Dayna was enthusiastic about her book and teaching the students about fire safety. The students loved listening to Firefighter Dayna read her story. They were especially excited to be able to listen to Firefighter Jim introduce and read Ms. Hilton's newest book Sparkles goes to Boston. The students learned many fire safety tips, sang songs and were able to ask questions. It was a very exciting time and one that the students or teachers of Crestview won't soon forget! Thank you for this wonderful opportunity Firefighter Dayna, Tango and Siren." Crestview Elementary

Click HERE to learn more about our Skype visits.

Sparkles Goes to Boston Proof Arrives!

Sparkles is so excited that the Sparkles Goes to Boston proof arrived today! We have been waiting 3 years for this moment!


Sparkles checking out the package


Sparkles looking to see what's inside (pardon the poor quality of the photo)

Tango has to get a good look at what's inside, too.

Tango posing with the proof of Sparkles Goes to Boston.

Sparkles admiring her new book. : )

Meet Sparkles's new little brother, live on the web!

The time is almost here! Meet Sparkles and Tango's new little brother, the newest fire safety dog, as we welcome him to our fire safety family. Be the first to learn his name during this event!

New fire safety puppy coming soon!

Sparkles, Tango and I are so excited that we will have a new edition to our family and fire safety team!

He is five and a half weeks old and will spend another two and a half weeks with his mom and littermates. Until then, we are getting ready for his big arrival!

His mother is Whoopie of Dalmino Dals and Jack of NspirD Dalmatians. Whoopie is such a wonderful mom!

We will be announcing his name very soon!

You are invited!

New Book Catalog from Firehouse Dog Publishing

We are very excited that Firehouse Dog Publishing has released its 2010 Book Catalog.
Click on the picture below to view the catalog.

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog on Peggy's Pet Place Website in Peggy's Pets Blog

Guidepost pet columnist, Peggy Frezon, wrote a very nice post about Sparkles [the Fire Safety Dog] and shared Sparkles' story on her Peggy's Pets blog today. Peggy writes for Guideposts magazine, is a regular contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul. and she is the author of the upcoming memoir, Fit for a Dog.

Read the post about Sparkles HERE.

Thank you Peggy for helping share Sparkles' story and for sharing links to our sites and our children's fire safety books. Sparkles and I are truly grateful and we appreciate you helping us keep children and their caregivers fire safe!

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog on Animal Planet's Last Chance Highway website!

Sparkles' story was chosen to be featured on Animal Planet's Last Chance Highway website. "Forever Home" adoption stories were submitted by hundreds of adoptive parents and Sparkles' story was chosen as one of their top 10!

To read the story, click HERE.

Last Chance Highway is Sparkles and my favorite show on Animal Planet. The show is an eight-part series that focuses on the monumental mission of a dedicated handful of rescuers. Shelly Bookwalter and Kyle Peterson fight to save soon-to-be-euthanized dogs.

Shelly Bookwalter
Each week, they organize a band of volunteers to take part in a unique mobile adoption campaign. Shelly leads an effort to find homes for strays and unclaimed shelter dogs and every week, Kyle and crew member, Lucas, climb aboard their big rig to transport more than 150 dogs thousands of miles to meet their new families. It's an exhausting ritual but one that finds homes for more than six thousand pets every year. Sparkles and I would like to thank Shelly Bookwalter, a true angel to thousand's of animals, for sharing Sparkles' story and for all that she does to help dogs, like Sparkles, find "forever homes." Thank you Shelly! We hope to meet you someday and shake your hand! Thank you Kyle for all that you do to help transport our furry friends to their new homes! Next time that you are in the Little Rock area, please let us know!

Last Chance Highway is on Saturdays at 8 pm EST.

Invite Author Dayna Hilton and Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog into your classroom or library to video chat via Skype!

Teachers~

Imagine your students meeting a real fire safety dog!

Invite Author Dayna Hilton and Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog into your classroom or library to video chat via Skype!

During this fun, educational one hour program, your students will meet a real fire safety dog, listen to Firefighter Dayna read one of her children’s fire safety books, sing fire safety songs along with Sparkles and be sworn in as Jr. Firefighters by Sparkles and Firefighter Dayna!

Want to know how Sparkles became a fire safety dog or what a typical day is like at the fire station? The program will also include a question and answer time in which your students can ask these questions and more!

Have special needs? We can help meet those needs! Your presentation will be adapted to the age of your students so that appropriate fire safety educational messages will be shared. If multiple classes are grouped together for a presentation, it is suggested that the students are close in age.

The one hour program includes:

• Introduction of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog
• Sparkles’ story via Power Point
• Video of Sparkles demonstrating how to crawl low under smoke
• Selected reading
• Singing of fire safety song
• Jr. Firefighter Oath
• Q & A

Students will learn four valuable fire safety messages that will help keep them
and their family fire safe. These messages include:

• Recognizing the firefighter as a helper and a friend
• Knowing the sound and purpose of a smoke alarm
• Understanding the importance of practicing a home fire drill using an escape map
• Knowing when and how to crawl low under smoke

Contact Firefighter Dayna and Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog to work with you to create a custom program to suit your needs. For available dates and fees, please contact Hilton. More information is also available on their Skype an Author site.

Skype Author Teachers Guide now available. Contains everything you need to know for a successful visit with Hilton and Sparkles via Skype.

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog and Author Dayna Hilton Celebrating Release!

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog and Author Dayna Hilton are celebrating the release of the 2nd edition of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog! After a successful print of 15,000 of the first edition, the new edition is now available by ordering at your local bookstore and on Amazon.com.

A portion of the proceeds benefit the Keep Kids Fire Safe Foundation.