Get involved, be the change, tell your friends why animals have changed your life. Can you change the life of a lonesome animal? Here are a few ideas:

It wasn’t easy being a dog on the run. But one day, when life was oh so rough, somebody came to my rescue. I must have been quite a sight and in some human’s estimation a bit too much to handle. Thankfully, people who truly cared didn’t give up on me. In [...]]]>

It wasn’t easy being a dog on the run. But one day, when life was oh so rough, somebody came to my rescue. I must have been quite a sight and in some human’s estimation a bit too much to handle. Thankfully, people who truly cared didn’t give up on me. In fact, I was taken to live with guys who actually dwell behind bars. Yes, they call these men prisoners, or inmates. They live in the "big house". They gave me the attention I needed, taught me some dog gone manners. And before I knew it, they considered me rehabilitated.

One day the men who live behind the great big high razor topped fence told me it was time for me to go. A nice family came and picked me up. They knew all about dogs and forever homes and knew I had some ruff stuff baggage to deal with.

My new friends had this look in their eyes like they needed me, so I decided to "rescue" them. I got to ride in their car and went to live in their house. It was a new experience being a member of a real family, and I had so many things to learn. But now I am happy to report that this inmate trained pup is doing great. Thanks to the prisoners who trained me, and the rescue shelter that saved me (Second Chance Animal Shelter), I am experiencing a happy and healthy life – Yes It’s a Dog’s Life – and it’s GREAT!. We are excited to see our Rescue Animal story featured in FidoandWino.com as R.O.A.R. Squad members from the State of Idaho.

The R.O.A.R. Squad (Rescue Owners are Rockin) is the ingenious idea of a lady named Shauna who lives in a great smelling country, our neighbor to the north, Canada. She has a couple lovable canines in her family, and has first hand experience in compassion for pets that have found themselves as outcasts in society, "throw aways". Shauna had this terrific idea to encourage humans to help us non-humans (some people call us pets) by inviting a rescue animal into your family and giving it a forever home. She created an awesome blog that features Rescue Owners and their rescued animals from every province in Canada and every state in the USA. We think that is DROOLIN COOL!

So wag your tail and jump on over to the FidoandWino Blog, say hello to Shauna, John, Mickey and Kayloo. While you’re at it check out the article about our family. Julie, Murry and Maggie – R.O.A.R. Squad Members from Idaho.

Maggie the Rescued, Canine Contributor
Read More About Our Adoption Story

In honor of their 15th birthday, Petfinder is asking people everywhere to pledge to spread the word online about adoptable pets on March 15, 2011. Even if you don’t have a website or blog, you can still be a part of this and show your support. Tell your friends on facebook and twitter. Check [...]]]>

In honor of their 15th birthday, Petfinder is asking people everywhere to pledge to spread the word online about adoptable pets on March 15, 2011. Even if you don’t have a website or blog, you can still be a part of this and show your support. Tell your friends on facebook and twitter. Check out their website.

YouTube Video from: Retriever Rescue of Colorado

What do pet owners say when they have to give up their dog to the dog pound? The Apology Video tells the story.

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 [...]]]>

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

• Website
• Blog
• Twitter
• Facebook

Sparkles has truly found her calling and I am so grateful that she is in my life.

Firefighter Dayna Hilton

–
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

———————

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

Here’s our dog adoption story featured in the BestDogBlog.com. We really missed having a dog after our beloved 14 year old Australian Shepherd/Blue Heeler, Scout, died. We seriously questioned the wisdom of searching for another family pet. It [...]]]>

THIS WEEK! July 15: BLOG THE CHANGE FOR ANIMALS – Get the badge & spread the word!

Here’s our dog adoption story featured in the BestDogBlog.com. We really missed having a dog after our beloved 14 year old Australian Shepherd/Blue Heeler, Scout, died. We seriously questioned the wisdom of searching for another family pet. It was so difficult to grieve the loss of such a good companion and member of our family. But we soon realized that our house was not a home without a dog. READ ON . . .

This news item warns pet owners not to push their animals in the heat of the summer, [...]]]>

Lately we have been getting out early in the morning to go for a walk with our dog, Maggie. It is cooler and the path we take is mostly in the shade during that time of the day.

This news item warns pet owners not to push their animals in the heat of the summer, or they will be at risk for heat stroke. “We need to think about them. Give them water and shade, remove muzzles. NEVER keep a dog locked up in a hot car!”

While all animals are susceptible to the heat, puppies, older dogs, dogs with compressed faces, and dark colored dogs are most vulnerable to heat stroke.

Joining The Humane Society of the United States’ Wayne Pacelle and representatives from the United States Postal Service, American Humane Association, and Petfinder.com on stage at Hollywood’s Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for a press conference, Ellen DeGeneres unveiled the new 44 cent stamps featuring [...]]]>

Adopt a Shelter Pet Commemorative Stamps

Joining The Humane Society of the United States’ Wayne Pacelle and representatives from the United States Postal Service, American Humane Association, and Petfinder.com on stage at Hollywood’s Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for a press conference, Ellen DeGeneres unveiled the new 44 cent stamps featuring the adorable faces of five dogs and five cats, all of whom had been adopted from animal shelters and rescue groups.

Mr. Pacelle made the following observation: About 8 million dogs and cats are funneled through shelters every year. They come to shelters for a variety of purposes, they have been found on the streets, or people relinquish them to shelters. There is this stigma that is attached to animals at shelters – that there is something wrong with them, that they are defective, or have some behavioral problem, or some physical problem. Those of us who have adopted animals from shelters know that is false. Contrasting with dogs who are sold from puppy mills, shelter dogs are properly socialized with tremendous attention from shelter workers. The animals at shelters are actually the best socialized animals. They get excellent veterinary care.

The dogs and cats know what is going on. They know that someone has come to rescue them. They are enormously grateful to their new owners for the rest of their lives. What he sees as one of the most tragic things is that only 20% of dogs in people’s homes come from shelters. Four out of five dogs are coming from other sources. If just a small percentage of people who are getting dogs, this year or next year, got them from shelters rather than from a puppy mill or pet store, then we would solve this problem.

Maggie (the rescue shelter dog), Julie and Murry of the DogBlog: A Dog’s Eye View and the BestDogBlog.com agree whole heartedly. We encourage you to buy some Adopt a Shelter Pet Commemorative Stamps and remember there is a dog or cat waiting for your love at a rescue shelter. Please remember them when you need a friend.

Get your stamps here.