In her brief years as a four-legged fire safety educator, Sparkles participated in a Congressional briefing in Washington, DC and appeared on FOX and Friends in New York City, as well as having her photo appear on a jumbotron on Times Square in New York City. Her efforts were also mentioned on the Floor of Congress and in a Senate committee hearing meeting.

Sparkles was the star of her own critically acclaimed, award-winning children’s fire safety books, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog and Sparkles Goes to Boston. Sparkles and the books were credited with helping save the lives of two children and their families. Additionally, Sparkles was featured in several newsletters, websites, blogs and magazines across the globe and will be featured in several books in 2011.

Meri-K Appy, President of the Home Safety Council stated, “Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog will be remembered by her legion of fans — past, present, and future — as a safety icon. Sparkles made a real difference in the lives of children and families across America. Her legacy will continue to inspire fire and life safety educators everywhere to follow in her pawsteps in spreading her lifesaving message.”

Bearing Cassie

“In the gloom, the gold gathers the light against it.”
–Ezra Pound
“For of the soul the body form doth take:
  For soul is form, and doth the body make.”
–Edmund Spenser
“….displaying a splendour unmarred by death.”
–Joseph Conrad

Near the end,
the dance was still in her eyes,
but it had become a pavane.

She walked in strained inches.
In the sweetness of the spring air,
in the iridescent light of the garden,
I had to carry her –
a golden nimbus
whose heart beat faintly against mine.
My hand beneath her
clasped the scraggy, scarred landscape
of her savaged past.

When she slept,
she dreamed. She dreamed,
I knew, of the collie’s homeland:
its dark, still lochs
and the wild heather rippling in its winds.
I knew
this was where to find her after.

She had yearned, so long,
for something deeper than love itself,
for someone to want her love,
and she found me,
ending my fifty-year wait
for her second coming.
I wanted her love: she rived my darkness
like an exploding star.

Soundless and self-denying, she died
at home in my arms.
In the subdued background,
plangent bagpipes played
Scotland the Brave and My Home in the Hills.
Teardrops coffined her homecoming,
as I felt her gossamer soul
pass through my hands,
felt the pith of my own leaving with her.

Mankind let you down, Baby Girl, but please know there were those who cared. Time just ran out for you. Those who knew you for the last few days of your short life loved you, and prayed for your recovery. They so wanted you to grow up to have a wonderful life, and to learn that not all humankind is evil.  May the summer’s sun spread warmth over your little spirit for all of eternity, and may you be free from pain and hunger and suffering by human hand. May you also know that there are many who are so, so very sorry.  Rest in peace, Baby Girl.

Summer, a six-month old Boxer puppy, was rescued by Tulsa Boxer Rescue on February 13, 2010, from a Wagoner County “home” after a life of neglect and abuse. Emaciated and dehydrated, after much care she passed away in the early morning hours of February 16, 2010.

Please quickly report any suspected animal abuse or neglect. A day may just make a difference.

Bogie was found at the cemetery where my Dad was buried not long after my Dad passed away. I remember he was just a little bitty ball of fur lying by a tree. He was scared to death to come to me until I sat down on the ground and put my hand out. I truly believe he was sent to me during a rough time in my life. From the moment we got home he never left my side. He was with me for 16 years through the best times of my life and the worst. He was truly my little buddy and best friend and is sorely missed. I remember the day he crossed over the rainbow bridge just like it was yesterday. I know he is up there with all of his little friends chasing squirrels and sleeping on clouds!

I love you little Bogie.