#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.

Congratulations, Siren!

Congratulations to Siren for passing his AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test!




Siren took several weeks of training at SMART DOGS Dog Training and grew up before my very eyes to become a well mannered dog! Siren loved attending and loved being around the other dogs. He learned many wonderful things from Mary, owner of SMART DOGS Dog Training, as did I. I'm not sure who learned more!

Below is Siren receiving his certificate from Mary:

Way to go, Siren! You're a good boy!

BlogPaws 2011

Hope to see you there!

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog's Fire Safety Tips on Sprout's Webpage

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.

Invitation to Sparkles' Memorial Service

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.

Helping out Emma Zen

Our good friend, Emma Zen Chiapuzio is trying to raise money to purchase oxygen masks for fire departments. The dogs and I wanted to help out, so we are sending her 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.

Thank you to Ms. Karen's Class for the Pictures!

In November, Siren and I had the opportunity to Skype with Ms. Karen's class in Canada. We had so much fun! Recently we received some pictures that Ms. Karen sent us and we couldn't wait to share them!


Speaking of pictures, we really love the picture below! This is a picture of a special place in Ms. Karen's classroom. Didn't the student do a great job? The fire safety dogs and I love it!

Thank you Ms. Karen and to all of the very sweet students in Canada! We had so much fun visiting with your during our Skype visit!

If you would like to learn more about our Skype Visits, click HERE. Imagine your students meeting a real fire safety dog! Invite Author Dayna Hilton and the fire safety dogs into your classroom or library to video chat via Skype!

Siren's New Training Video

Siren [the Fire Safety Dog] is working hard to learn how to become a fire safety dog, just like Sparkles. This video is of Siren training at four months old.

Spotlight on Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog Coloring Book illustrator Eileen Edwards

Spotlight on Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog Coloring Book illustrator Eileen Edwards.

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We are so very excited that Firehouse Dog Publishing's Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog Coloring Book, is doing so well! In the hands of children, this book will help keep children and their caregivers fire safe.

The 28-page coloring book is a perfect stand-alone coloring book or companion piece to Sparkles Goes to Boston and Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog. Children learn how Sparkles achieves her dream of becoming a real fire safety dog as well as learning valuable fire safety tips to help keep them and their families fire safe.

Eileen is a multi-talented artist that has had success in different mediums. A graduate of Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, she has worked in graphic arts, display, fine art and portraiture. She has also designed and constructed figure skating dresses for clients all over the world and has been a seamstress for televised shows involving Olympic skaters. Eileen lives in Pennsylvania with her three children, six rescued Dalmatians, one mixed breed, a Jack Russell Terrier and a cat.

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We love Eileen's work and she truly captures Sparkles and her heart.

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

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Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog Coloring Book Press Release

Firehouse Dog Publishing Catalogue

Book Trailer

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.

New Book Trailer!

New Video!

Happy Holidays from our friends at the Keep Kids Fire Safe Foundation

Happy Holidays from the Keep Kids Fire Safe Foundation.

The Foundation Board and staff would like to thank you for helping support the foundation and its programs.

New Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog Column on Sparkles' Kids Zone on firelife.com!

Sparkles talks about the fire safety dog's recent appearance on Rainbow's Rescue Romp with their friend Rainbow Diamond, shares fan photos, and more!

Click on the picture below to see all the fun!

Today's Mail.....

Tango, Siren and I were very surprised to receive a special package in the mail today.

In the mail was a box from California, and I was happy to see that it was from a fellow dal and Facebook friend, Gabriel L. Martinez and his family.



Below is the note that was enclosed in the package:


Words don't know how to thank you for this very thoughtful gift from you and your family, Gabriel.

Thank you so much,
Dayna, Robert, Michael, Tango and Siren

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!

New Coloring Page!

Click the button below to download more free coloring pages!

Bloggers and webmasters: Please feel free to add the button above to your blog or webpage to help spread the fire safety message. Together, we can help keep children and their caregivers fire safe!

A special thank you to Eileen Edwards for this wonderful drawing!

Siren the Fire Safety Dog has new Facebook Page!

Siren would love for you to join his Facebook page! Click on the picture of Siren to be his friend.

New Firefighter Dayna and the Fire Safety Dogs Program and Skype Request Form

Click on the button below to submit your request!

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 the Fire Safety Dog 1998-2010

Dear friends~

It is with great sadness to share with you that my best friend, Sparkles, passed away last night.

Even though she is gone, her message of helping keep people safe from fire will live on.

Please pray for her, her family, her fire service family, and for all of the many people, especially children, of whose lives she has touched.

More information will follow. Memorial service arrangements pending.

Memorial contributions to help continue the work of Sparkles may be made to the

Keep Kids Fire Safe Foundation.

Sparkles obit on Fire Chief Magazine's website.

Sparkles' Bio.

Sparkles' Video.

Post by Frankie the Walk 'n Roll Dog.

Post by Kids Firefighter Blog.

Daryn Kagan Video about Sparkles (courtesy of darynkagan.com)

To leave a note on Sparkles' Facebook page, please click HERE. You may also leave your comment below. Your words are very healing.

Thank you so much. Dayna, Tango, and Siren

Sparkles Goes to Boston Northeast Book Tour 2010

October 5 – 18, 2010

October 5

Fire safety dogs head for Southborough, MA

October 6

10:30 A.M. Visit Shawn’s school with Firefighter Jim
October 10

11:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. Visit with fire safety program donor

October 11

10:00 A.M. Heritage Day Parade (Southborough)
11:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. Heritage Day Festivities

October 12

9:30 - 11:30 A.M. Mary Finn School
1:00 - 3:00 P.M. Neary School

October 13

9:35 A.M. FOX 25 Boston (streaming live on myfoxboston.com)
1:30 P.M. Visit Steven’s school
October 14

9:00 A.M Skype visit with school in Ohio (Firefighter Jim to participate)
10:30 A.M. Village Preschool
1:30 P.M. Steven’s school
4:00 P.M. Southborough Library

October 15

10:30 A.M. Village Preschool
October 16

10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Book release event at the Southborough Fire Department for Sparkles Goes to Boston
3:00 P.M Gathering for Sparkles’ Facebook Dal friends ~ Southborough
October 18

Leave for Arkansas

To read more about the book and event, please visit the Boston Globe website.

Firefighter Jim Peltier and Firefighter Dayna will be live on the FOX 25 Boston Morning Show

On October 13th, Firefighter Jim Peltier, Firefighter Dayna and Tango the Fire Safety Dog, will be live on the FOX 25 Boston Morning Show to promote the new children's book, Sparkles Goes to Boston. The broadcast will be streamed live at myFOXboston.com at 9:35 EST. Join us to learn all about our big adventure to help keep children safe with our latest fire safety book. Sparkles Goes to Boston is based on the Southborough Fire Department and the most up-to-date children's fire safety book on the market.


To learn more about Sparkles Goes to Boston, please visit the Sparkles Goes to Boston website.

Welcome to our family and fire safety team, Siren!

Welcome Siren the Fire Safety Dog!

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

Siren is currently two months old and came to live with us a week ago. We have had so much fun getting to know each other!

His mother is Whoopie of Dalmino Dals and Jack of NspirD Dalmatians.

Here is Siren's mom:

Here's Siren's dad, Jack:

Jack 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.

The first thing that Siren did when he got to his new home, check his email. Silly dog! The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

See more pix of the big day HERE.

Siren also has a new Facebook page. Be sure to check it out! He'll also have fire safety tips on his Facebook page, just like the rest of the fire safety team.

Until next time, stay safe everyone!