Canyon Blog spent a cold afternoon with Snowbird’s most recent addition to the ranks of certified avalanche dogs, Tony. Okay, and his handler, Paul S.
Tony turns two in April and has already attained his Level B certification, the first step for any avi dog, and soon to be Level A, fully qualified to respond anywhere in the state of Utah.
A black lab, he’s the heir apparent to Frankie, Snowbird’s long-standing champion black lab and soon to retire to the good life.
Paul has served on ski patrol for eight years, having survived the world of finance and ditching that for the mountains (good call Paul) and was also one of Frankie’s handlers for four years. When asked how he came to pursue the canine career he stated, “My wife and I gave up the east coast and took jobs at the P-Dog (Peruvian Lodge) front desk for two years. That first year it hosted the national avi dog conference. And I knew, I gotta have one.”
Fast forward two years and a few certifications later and voilà, he was at the Bird in pursuit of his own dog and serving on patrol.
He credits longtime ski patroller and Frankie handler Marge with mentoring him along the way. And emphasizes that the training never stops. “We’re always pursuing excellence.”
In fact, what he wants is this, “Frankie two is the answer.” And one other thing, “For him to be the top dog in Utah.”
So, just how possible is that? To get to the dog honest truth your correspondent had a beer with Frankie. “Maybe,” said the veteran lab, “maybe. But there can only ever be one Frankie One.”
Woof buddy, and thank you for all you’ve done for Snowbird and everyone you’ve ever helped to rescue or recover.