Sparky / Dexter’s Adventures

Hi I have a question you were at my school on march 11 2025 and I wanted to ask you what is Sparky and dexters favorite and least favorite things to do

Hi Daniel!

Well, I definitely know both of Sparky’s and Dexter’s least favorite things – taking a bath!!  They both hated (or hate, in Dexter’s case) taking a bath.  With Sparky, it was like wrestling an alligator trying to give her a bath.  Sometimes, I would put on my bathing suit and get in the bathtub with her to give her a bath.  And I remember once when I climbed in the bathtub to give her a bath, Sparky jumped right out of the tub!  As for Dexter, I have to pick him up and carry him upstairs to take a bath!  Well, at least when it’s cold out.  When it’s warm out, Dexter gets a bath in the backyard, but it takes two people to do it!  One of us holds Dexter, while the other washes him.

As for favorite things, well, our house has an enclosed front porch (with windows), and Dexter just loves to lay out there in his bed on a warm, sunny day.  He gets to watch what’s going on in the neighborhood that way, too.

With Sparky, she loved to meet people!  Her tail would wag so much!!  But she was also a bit jumpy, and she would try to jump up and give everyone a doggie kiss.  She was always so happy when people visited the house.  It would take her like 10 minutes to finally calm down!

Thanks for the great question!

Rick

Hi, you came to my school today. Was it fun

Hi Emma!

I’m so happy you enjoyed the presentation, the book reading, and meeting Dexter! Dexter and I had so much fun, too!  We loved meeting you and all of your classmates.  Dexter had a busy day.  When he got home, he was so tired!!

Enjoy the rest of your school week!  Thanks for writing!

Rick (and Dexter, too!) Woof!

I  want to see Sparky but she died and I want to see you again 

Hi Nova!

So sorry you never got to meet Sparky.  She was such a nice doggie.  I’m sure she would have loved to meet you.  Have you ever met my new dog Dexter?  He’s a real nice doggie, too.  Actually, he’s the most gentle dog I’ve ever had.  And he loves to visit the schools and meet all the kids.  What school do you go to?  Maybe Dexter and I could visit this year!

Enjoy the weekend!

Rick (and Dexter, too!)

I just completed your puzzle I’m so happy

Hi Amil!

Great to hear from you!  I’m so happy that you like the puzzles.  I just did one of the puzzles, too!  It was the one of Dexter sitting near the water.  Which one did you do?

Rick

P.S.:  Don’t worry if I don’t answer your messages immediately.  But I usually answer them by the next day.

Hi I’m from icca you came to my school at Friday and LOVE your books so good  and LOVE THE BOOKS SO MUCH

Hi Beatrice!

I’m so happy that you like the Sparky and Dexter books!  That’s wonderful.  One of the main reasons I write the books about my dogs is to get students like you to enjoy reading.  When I was a kid, I loved reading (I still do!).  One of my favorite places was the school library, where I could check out books and bring them home to read!

Dexter and I really had fun visiting your school on Friday.  It was great meeting you and all of your classmates.

Have fun at school and stay warm!  Brrr! It sure has been cold walking Dexter around the neighborhood!

Rick and Dexter, too!  Woof!

Hiii can you please talk to me

BY AMIL

Hi my name is amil you came to my school I want to know what adoption Center did you get DEXTER AND SPARKY

Hi Amil!

We adopted Dexter and Sparky from Adopt-A-Dog, an animal rescue agency in Greenwich, CT.  Adopt-A-Dog rescues dogs from dog pounds and then tries to find homes for them.

Adopt-A-Dog rescued Sparky from a dog pound in East Harlem, New York City, and we adopted Sparky from Adopt-A-Dog on April 24, 1999.  When we first met Sparky, she ran to my son David, who was 8 years old then, knocked him to the ground, kept licking David all over his face and Sparky’s tail was wagging like crazy!

As for our boy Dexter, Adopt-A-Dog rescued him from a dog pound in Fayetteville, West Virginia, and we adopted Dexter from Adopt-A-Dog on May 7, 2017.  When we first saw Dexter at Adopt-A-Dog, he was the quietest dog there, all the other dogs were barking and barking.  He looked very unhappy, sitting in his cage all alone.  When he came out, I scratched his ears, and he really seemed to like that.  And I thought he could use a nice home, so we adopted him, and he’s been a wonderful dog ever since!

Thanks for the great question!

Rick and Dexy, too! Woof!

Hi I am very happy that visited also your dog Dexter was soooo cute

Hi Marcus!

Thanks for your kind words about Dexter!  He’s such a good doggie!  He loves visiting the schools and meeting kids like you and all your classmates.  He’s always making new friends!

Enjoy the rest of your school week!  Stay warm!

Rick and Dexter, too!  Woof!

Hello thank you for the visit. I am one of the students who saw you with that cute sparky outfit and hat. I am a third grader.your dog Dexter was a very cute dog and the photos were cute with Maggie and speedy.i bought books from you last year.

Hi Angeline!!

You’re welcome!  Dexter and I had a wonderful time meeting you again and all of your classmates.  And I think I remember signing your books last year!

I’m glad you liked all the pictures and my Sparky outfit!  That’s my winter outfit.  For the summer, I have Sparky shorts, too!

Thanks for writing!  Stay warm!

Rick and, of course, Dexter, too!  Woof!

What is your favorite book that you wrote.

Hi Peyton!

Although I like all 11 books I’ve written about Sparky and Dexter, my favorite story is “No Rest for Sparky.”  I think it really captured how Sparky interacted with all the pets we had when my kids Kristen and David were younger.  And, yes, Speedy the tortoise would actually push Sparky around sometimes, just like in the book!

I also like that I was able to put both Kristen and David in the story, the illustration of all the pets and Sparky on the last page is one of my favorites!

Thanks for the great question!

Rick (and Dexter, too!)