Wow! Thanks so much! And Sparky’s “birthday” is coming up, too – April 24. But as you probably know, those aren’t Dexter and Sparky’s real birthdays. Their “birthdays” are the days that we adopted them. We don’t know Dexter and Sparky’s real birthdays. All we know is that Sparky was born sometime and somewhere in New York City in 1998 and Dexter was born sometime and somewhere around Fayetteville, West Virginia in 2025.
Thanks again!
Rick (and Dexter, too!)
Adriel
I like your dog dexter
Hi Adriel!
And Dexter liked meeting you, too! He’s such a nice, gentle dog. He loves visiting schools and meeting all the kids! I’ll give him a big hug from you!
Take care!
Rick (and Dexter, too!)
Adriel
I like your dog dexter
JUSTIN
Hi rick im a kid from black rock school do you and dexter remember me?
tell dexter I said hi
I love him
Hi Justin!
Dexter and I were so happy to see you Wednesday at Black Rock School! Thanks for the nice words about Dexter. I’ll give him a big hug from you tonight! By the way, Dexter will be visiting your school again this Friday and next Friday, too! Dexter loves your school!
Thanks for writing!
Rick (and Dexter, too!) Woof!
Adriel
Why did sparky die rick
Hi Adriel,
Unfortunately, Sparky had a disease called cancer that made her very sick. Many older dogs (and Sparky lived to be 13 years old) get cancer. Maybe when they get older, a dog’s body can’t fight off diseases as well as it could when they were younger. But Sparky lived a wonderful life. I’m so glad Adopt-A-Dog rescued her from a dog pound in New York City and that we adopted her when she was 1 year old. Sparky lived a great life for a dog that nobody wanted.
Thanks for the great question,
Rick
Gabriel
How is Dexter
Hi Gabriel,
Right now, my wife Carmen is probably taking Dexter on his evening walk (I’m at work right now). Dexter loves going on his walks around the neighborhood, just like his book “Mr. Dexter’s Neighborhood.” And he also likes hanging out on the front porch during the day to watch everyone walk by (and bark at the mailman!). He got to hang out on the porch for a little while today.
Thanks for writing!
Rick (and Dexter, too!) Woof!
Camila
I really love dexter very much and sparky❤️❤️
Hi Camila!
Thank you so much! Dexter loved meeting you and all your classmates. And I’m sure Sparky would loved to have met you! She probably would have given you a big doggie kiss!
I’ll give Dexter a big hug for you tonight!
Rick
Adriel
Remember when you read coast to coast rick
Hi Adriel!
Yes, I do! It’s one of my favorite Sparky books! I hope you liked it! Sparky didn’t actually go to all those places, but she did visit schools in Miami and New Orleans. And I’ve visited schools in San Francisco, although Sparky didn’t come with me. I would never put Sparky (or Dexter) on a plane. They can’t sit in a seat with me. They’d have to be stuck in a cage down below with all the luggage and stuff, and I’m sure it would be very scary for them! So, when I visited the schools in San Francisco, I’d bring a DVD with me with short videos of Sparky so the kids could see what she was actually like.
Oh, and Sparky visited New York City, too. And Dexter has, too!
Take care!
Rick
Cameryn
Do you rember me from last year and this year last year I helped you and I was wearingsparky tites with
black dots and the rest was wite
Hi Cameryn!
Yes, I think I do! Although I’m surprised I didn’t take a picture of you with your Sparky tights! I went back and looked at the pictures I took last year, and I didn’t see you. Oh, well. I’m glad you got to meet Dexter again this year!
Thanks for writing!
Rick and Dexter, too!
Gabriel
How is Dexer
Hi Gabriel!
Dexter is doing fine! Thanks for asking! He was tired when he came home on Wednesday after visiting with you and your classmates, but he’s resting up so he’ll be ready to visit your school again this Friday! Dexter loves visiting schools and making new friends!
And Sparky’s “birthday” is coming up, too – April 24. 
But as you probably know, those aren’t Dexter and Sparky’s real birthdays. Their “birthdays” are the days that we adopted them. We don’t know Dexter and Sparky’s real birthdays. All we know is that Sparky was born sometime and somewhere in New York City in 1998 and Dexter was born sometime and somewhere around Fayetteville, West Virginia in 2025.
He got to hang out on the porch for a little while today.
Sparky didn’t actually go to all those places, but she did visit schools in Miami and New Orleans. And I’ve visited schools in San Francisco, although Sparky didn’t come with me. I would never put Sparky (or Dexter) on a plane. They can’t sit in a seat with me. They’d have to be stuck in a cage down below with all the luggage and stuff, and I’m sure it would be very scary for them! So, when I visited the schools in San Francisco, I’d bring a DVD with me with short videos of Sparky so the kids could see what she was actually like.
He was tired when he came home on Wednesday after visiting with you and your classmates, but he’s resting up so he’ll be ready to visit your school again this Friday! Dexter loves visiting schools and making new friends!
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