dayna hilton

Honorary Fire Safe Dog, Joie. Come See Her Fire Safety Tip Video for Sparkles Safety Spot!

Posted by Barbara Techel

I was recently contacted by Dayna Hilton, founder of Keep Kids Fire Safe Foundation.  She and the fire safety dogs are celebrating their 100th live stream episode of Sparkles Safety Spot this Friday, August 2, 2013.  Dayna and her spotted doggie crew work tirelessly to keep kids and families safe in the event of a fire.  So proud of all the work they do and lives they have saved.

Check out our fire safety tip that will be airing during their 100th episode this Friday (along with many others). Then head on over to their Facebook page to learn more about them, as well as more fire safety tips.  It’s a priviledge and honor that Joie is now an Honorary Fire Safe Dog!  She wears her fire hat proudly!

 

Posted by Barbara Techel

It is with sadness I share the passing of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog.  It was an honor to have met her in April 2010 when Sparkles, her brother Tango, and mom Firefighter Dayna stayed with my family. And an honor to have met a dog who helped save the lives of two families.

Sparkles and her mom visited Wisconsin this past April.  With Frankie and Sparkles, we visited the Elkhart Lake Fire Station where Sparkles showed us how fire fighters get ready for a fire and we rode in the fire truck with Sparkles as co-pilot.  We also visited Elkhart Lake Elementary School and did a visit via Skype with a school in Canada, helping teach kids about fire safety and encouraging them to help others know fire safety that may have special needs.

Sparkles showing Frankie the ropes at the Fire station

Sparkles was a kind, gentle, sweet soul… who always seemed to be smiling.  It is that smile that I will always remember.  Till we all meet again, Sparkles, know you will always have a special place in my heart, as well as Frankie’s.  Thank for being our friend.

Special note:  Sparkles and Frankie are both featured in the Winter issue of The American Dog magazine on most newsstands now (page 24 & 33).  Dayna and I had hoped that one day this would happen… forever united these two special dogs will always be.

 

Cesar’s Milan Magazine Features Our Friends Dayna Hilton & Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog

Posted by Barbara Techel

I’m so thrilled and happy for my and Frankie’s friend Dayna Hilton and her special dog, Sparkles.  If you remember, Frankie and I met them this past April when they stayed with us.  It was a whirlwind 4-days combining our messages and sharing them with Elkhart Lake Elementary School and then a school in Canada via Skype.

So we thought perhaps the dust would settle as we both eased our way back into our busy lives…well with some very much appreciated PR on how our two dogs met and their work ( thanks to Fido Friendly on line blog post and USA Today post) our message began to spread far and wide.

So drum roll please… this is where I say a huge CONGRATULATIONS to Dayna and Sparkles for their story being published in the very popular Cesar’s Way magazine, July 2010 issue!!


I had the opportunity to read it before any of you, thanks to my friend Dayna and her copy she received via the mail today.  It is truly a touching story, filled with the love of a dog and her Mom passionate about sharing the fire safety message.  Dayna has worked so hard, and continues to do all she can to keep kids safe from fires.  She recently started a foundation, Keep Kids Fire Safe to reach even more and save many more lives.

I have no doubt the story in Cesar’s Way will help save lives as well, and I especially love the fire safety tips included in the article that will be useful for families to clip out and put on their refrigerator to remind them to practice fire safety.

The last paragraph was a bit hard to get through because my eyes filled with tears. Anyone who does work with their dogs knows there will come a day to say goodbye. It is not easy with any dog we love, but those of us who work so close in contact with and in spirit with our dogs it seems that much harder…and so reflecting on my own life and the work I do with Frankie, my heart cringed with a bit of sadness as Dayna realizes the time of Sparkles moving on could come sooner, than later.  Sparkles is 11 years old, and not in the best of health, but keeping on in honor of her fire safety message… so reading part of the reason for the foundation had me choking back the tears, while my heart swelled with pride for all Dayna and Sparkles have accomplished.

Way to go you two- we are so proud of you!!

To read more about Sparkles and this exciting news visit her blog!