Friday, October 1, 2021

In Honor of National Black Dog Day: "Sparky the Best Dog" by my Great-Niece, Talia

 Today is National Black Dog Day. Many of you know that black cats are harder to adopt out due to the myths surrounding them and for the simple fact that they are black.  Did you know that black dogs are also often the last to be adopted from shelters, and also have myths surrounding them, just as black cats do?

We have the pleasure of knowing an INCREDIBLE black dog. He happens to be a member of our extended family. His name is "Sparky" and he is deeply loved by my great-niece Talia, my great-nephew Ari, and their parents and grandparents (as well as their Uncle Lenny and Aunt Caren and other family members and friends)

Sparky is a vibrant mix of enthusiasm, energy and love!!

Recently I reached out to Talia and Ari's Mom and asked if it would be ok if I featured Sparky on the blog in honor of National Black Dog Day. Not only did she agree, but my incredible great-niece wrote something just for the blog that I am thrilled to share with you! Enjoy!!

Sparky the Best Dog (by Talia)

 Friday is National Black Dog Day. Black dogs often have a bad reputation but it could not be further from the truth. Our dog is Sparky named after Sparky Anderson. (Go Tigers!)

Sparky's first night with his new family


 We rescued Sparky from Compass Animal Rescue in Royal Oak. I was so happy they picked our family to adopt Sparky. He was saved from Hurricane Harvey in Texas. When we got him, he was very underweight. Now he is perfect. Sparky is probably the only one who loves being quarantined. He liked having me and my brother at home.


Sparky


 He hated when school started but he does enjoy barking and chasing the bus! I feel sad when black dogs often get overlooked to rescue. It makes no sense to me at all. They are so loyal.  In my opinion, everyone should rescue a dog if they can! Please consider looking into black dogs like Sparky!

Sparky and Talia on their trip to Florida


Sparky and Talia



Sparky and Talia



Sparky Sleeps With Talia Every Night! True Love!!

Talia had written a note to Compass Dog Rescue and on May 9, 2020 they posted it on their Facebook page. Talia's enormous love and devotion for Sparky  shines through this precious letter:


I want to thank Talia sooo much for her wonderful words about Sparky and for letting people know just how wonderful black dogs are!!!
 I also want to share a few of my favorite photos of Sparky as well.

When Levi was a puppy the first dogs he met in Michigan were his cousin Punky and Sparky!! Sparky and Levi liked each other from the beginning.



Two peas in a pod

We are so happy that Talia's family gave "Sparky the BEST DOG" a chance and adopted him! He has brought much joy to his family and everyone who is lucky enough to know him!!! Hopefully others will jump at the chance to adopt a wonderful black dog like Sparky too!

Sparky and I in 2019

Happy National Black Dog Day Sparky!!
 Have a great day!! We all love you!!





30 comments:

  1. we love the letter , it is so sweet... and we agree black dogs are just great!

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  2. OMD!! Sparky looks like a brother/twin of Benji! Benji's from Texas too, LOL! They even have the same blaze on the chests.

    What a cool article Talia wrote about Sparky!

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  3. That was a lovely letter that Talia wrote to the rescue. Sparky looks a very sweet dog, and her best friend.

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  4. Mom loves black dogs and cats and has had both. The fur color doesn't matter at all!

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  5. That letter is so sweet. We didn't know black dogs have a "bad" reputation, apparently rather like cats in some cultures. :-/

    Anyway, thanks for sharing this, Sparky looks like a total love!

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  6. Talia also wrote the post in the middle not just the letter!! Yep black dogs also get a bad rap, not everyone is aware of that! Thank you so much and yes Sparky IS a total love!!

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  7. That is such a great story about Sparky. We celebrate Black Dog Day every day with Millie in the house.

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    1. thank you!!!! Happy National Black Dog Day to Millie!!! xoxo

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  8. Sparky is such an adorable puppy dog! I love the letter and all the pictures! I'm very fond of animals who are black and I think they are just extra beautiful animals! Happy National Black Dog Day!

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  9. Our Angel Little Bit was a black pup and she was the best pup ever. Great shots.

    Have a fabulous day and weekend. Scritches to the boys. ♥

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    1. bet she was a beauty! Thanks about the photos, they are great because I didn't take them lol. You have a fabulous day and weekend too!! xoxo

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  10. Black dogs are so very striking, I don't know why people wouldn't just fall in love with them. But I'm biased, I've been smitten from the time I found my first bi black Sheltie.

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    1. they are, I don't get it, I truly don't. Every black dog I have ever known has been beautiful!

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  11. There's another writer in your family! Look out Caren! Four paws up for Talia. Love the pics of her and Sparky.

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    1. you are so sweet!!!! Talia is a zillion times brighter than I am!!! I have no doubt she is going to be successful! She's only 10 years old! I love those photos too, her family took those and were kind enough to share with me! Thank you!! xoxo

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  12. That was so nice to read Talia's words about Sparky and how much he means to her and the family. It was really fun to see the early photo of Sparky when he was a little smaller and so was Talia what cute photos. We did not know that about black dogs and will remember. Thanks for sharing and we hope it helps adoptions through knowledge of how special a black dog can be!

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    1. thank you sooo much for that lovely comment!!! Yep black dogs are discriminated against much of the time too!!!

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  13. Sparky is absolutely adorable! What cute photos too!

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  14. This was a lovely post, Cody. It makes one feel all warm and hapy to know there are folk like Talia out there and willing to give their love to a pet...whether it's black, green or red. We also had a black dog while growing up. He was named after Mickey Mouse.

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  15. Aww, what a cutie. I have a soft spot in my heart for black dogs. Well...Elsa made me say that. LOL

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  16. Oh my goodness, Sparky is adorable and he sure knew how to pick a wonderful family. That's one purrfect adoption story. Happy Black Dog Day Sparky!!!

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  17. Nice post. The last dog we had, Katie, was a black lab mix. XO

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  18. Aw. Sparky is so cute! I’ve heard that black dogs are like black cats and can have a hard time finding homes. Which is so silly..because Sparky shows how great they are! ~Ernie

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  19. Love your post - Thank you for sharing...

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  20. Sparky is obviously an adorable dog! #BlackDogsRule! (Talia is adorable too!)

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  21. They are indeed two peas in a pod! Wonderful to hear Talia speak so lovingly about Sparky! Animals touch us in amazing ways!

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  22. Talia's letter made us so happy. So much love.

    Sparky is so cute! And we so love that he and Levi are such great pals.

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  23. Sparkly seems like a wonderful dog. My favorite dog was also a black dog named Tascha. She was a Doberman that was found wondering near a friend of my dad's. A Doberman would probably not have any trouble getting adopted but I understand the problem most may have.

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  24. Sparky is a cutie. Hopefully he and Levi get to play together often.

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