Sparky the Fire Dog spreads the word about fire safety at star-studded Beverly Hills event

Fire safety meets Hollywood glamour, as Sparky the Fire Dog took to the red carpet at the American Humane Association's "Hero Dog Awards" gala on Saturday, October 6, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. 

Having Sparky walk the red carpet at the "Hero Dog Awards" ceremony was a perfect and high-profile way to kick-off Fire Prevention Week campaign (October 7-13), which this year, focuses on the importance of planning and practicing 2 ways out of every room in your home. If a fire strikes in your home, it could be engulfed in smoke and flames in just a few minutes. That's why having 2 ways out is such a key part of your plan. 

Sparky, escorted down the carpet by puppeteer Tim LaGasse, spoke to several reporters about his excitement about being asked to be the "Official Spokesdog" for this second annual awards ceremony, and shared fire safety tips along the way. 

The American Humane Association has a longstanding commitment to child and animal welfare and Sparky was thrilled to work with them to put a spotlight on this important work.

The Hero Dog Awards recognize America’s most courageous canines – ordinary dogs who do astonishing things: saving lives on the battlefield, lending sight, hearing, or medical assistance to their human companions, unselfishly aiding law enforcement, arson investigators, and search and rescue workers, or providing uncompromising love and compassion as therapy dogs.

My colleagues and I were posted to strategic posts along the red carpet to catch all of the action. My assigned spot was near the end of the carpet, and there was a big concrete pillar to my left, so I couldn’t see who was approaching until they got pretty close. But I could hear the shouts and the whirring camera clicks from the big media representatives stationed near the front door. It was all really exciting, not knowing who was coming around the corner. And when the march down the carpet began, it all happened fast and furious. 

John Paul DeJoria, co-founder of the Paul Mitchell hair empire, and owner/operator of many other businesses, including The House of Blues.

Lois Pope, of the Lois Pope LIFE Foundation, a longtime supporter of the American Humane Association. 

Jake Austin from Disney’s “Wizards of Waverly Place”.

Swimmer Ricky Berens, who together with Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer, and Michael Phelps, won a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London in the men's 4x200 freestyle relay.

Bailee Madison, the young star of the film “Just Go With It”.

Michael Vartan from the television series "Alias" and “Hawthorne”.

Lou Wegner from the films “Doughboy” and “Trouble with the Curve”.

The (very nice) singer/songwriter Naomi Judd, who along with her daughter, Wynona, sold more than 20 million country music records.

COMING UP: As part of a series of special posts during Fire Prevention Week, we'll be sharing more photos from the red carpet and talk about our up-close and personal moment with Betty White.

Comments

[Carpet Protection Film]

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