Maggie the Rescued Dog and The R.O.A.R. Squad

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

Congratulations Dog Park Winner!

Pat McNeely and his dog Koda of Johns Creek, Georgia are going to have a blast in their new community dog park. Pat created a fantastic video to share his vision of a dream dog park presented as a family destination for dog adventures. Oh how we wish you lived here in beautiful Boise, Idaho. But alas, Pat lives in Georgia. Kind of far away from Idaho.

You know if Beneful really wanted to make a statement to the people who are into college sports, you could also create a dog park here in Boise and make the grass blue.

Congratulations, Pat and Koda.

Beneful WagWorld Dream Dog Park Winner

To see his winning entry visit Beneful Wagworld website.

Dog Ownership – Apology Video

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.

  • I’m just traveling too much – I”M SORRY
  • We are moving – I”M SORRY
  • He’s just too old – I”M SORRY
  • He’s not very smart, impossible to train – I”M SORRY
  • She has too much energy – I”M SORRY
  • The shelter will be able to find a better home – I”M SORRY
  • I didn’t realize he would need to go to the vet this much – I”M SORRY
  • I had no idea a puppy was this much work – I”M SORRY
  • I don’t believe in neutering or spaying my dog – I”M SORRY
  • I just don’t have the time for a dog anymore – I”M SORRY
  • We are remodeling – I”M SORRY
  • We have a baby now – I”M SORRY
  • We are getting a divorce – I”M SORRY
  • My landlord found out I have a dog – I”M SORRY
  • The kids have outgrown the dog – I”M SORRY
  • I just don’t want a dog anymore – I”M SORRY

Please please please consider all aspects of owning a pet before you decide to make them an addition to your life and family. Our pets depend on us, the decisions we make affect our pets.

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog

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


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

Blog the Change for Animals

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 . . .

Blog the Change