Guest Blogger Firefighter Dayna Hilton
My name is Firefighter Dayna Hilton and I would love to share the amazing story on the DogBlog of how my four-legged friend, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog (rescued from a home with 62 other dogs), has been able to help reach millions of children and their caregivers with the fire safety message.
To date, Sparkles has helped save the lives of two children and their two families. (http://www.sparklesthefiresafetydog.com/saves
We put a video about Sparkles for children on her blog at http://sparklesthefiresafetydog.blogspot.com/2009/12/new-sparkles-fire-safety-dog-video.html that you are welcome to watch.
Five year old Angelica shared her 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 and thankfully he was able to follow Angelica out of the house. The brave 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, they scooped him up and took him to the hospital (where he spent 7 days there ~ 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).
A day doesn’t go by where I don’t think of Angelica and her story and I am so thankful that she and her dad are safe.
Sparkles and I do what we do, not for financial gain, but to help keep children, like Angelica, fire safe. Every fiber of our being goes to help spread the fire safety message.
Sparkles is busy dog, sharing the fire safety message on her
Sparkles has truly found her calling and I am so grateful that she is in my life.
Firefighter Dayna Hilton
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Exciting News! Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog featured in the July issue of Cesar Millan’s (the Dog Whisperer) Cesar’s Way Magazine! A moving, heartwarming story about Sparkles’ journey by Rick Markham, complete with fire safety tips for you and your family. Pick up your copy today!
http://sparklesthefiresafetydog.blogspot.com/2010/06/cesars-way-magazine-to-feature.html
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Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog
as seen in Cesar’s Way, Dog Fancy, Dog World, DogSport, and FIDO Friendly magazines, USA Today.com, People Magazine.com, AOL.com’s Paw Nation, FOX and Friends and PBS KIDS Sprout
About Sparkles:
“We love you, Sparkles!” has been echoed by thousands of young children since Sparkles became a fire safety dog in May 2003. Sparkles was adopted by Firefighter Dayna and led a challenging life, as she was rescued from a home with 62 other dogs.
An invaluable member of the fire service, Sparkles has helped spread the fire safety message through her fire department and the Keep Kids Fire Safe Foundation, reaching millions of children and their caregivers. To date, Sparkles has been credited with saving the lives of two families.
PBS KIDS Sprout Fire Safety Page featuring Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog:
http://www.sproutonline.com/firesafety
Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog Fire Safety Webpage:
http://www.sparklesthefiresafetydog.com
Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog’s Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sparkles-the-Fire-Safety-Dog/58302653884?ref=ts
Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog’s Twitter Page:
http://www.twitter.com/sparklestfsd
Sparkles’ blog:
http://www.sparklesthefiresafetydog.blogspot.com
Keep Kids Fire Safe Foundation
http://www.keepkidsfiresafe.org
Frankie and Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog blog:
http://www.frankieandsparkles.com