Gaston

DOB: April 9, 1988
LIKES: long walks on the beach, ice cream, car rides, rainy days,
skiing, my cat Gigi, camping, drive-in movies, playing in the snow
DISLIKES: having my hair brushed, swimming
MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT: the time I got lost at Blue Mountain for 8
days (see story below)
HAPPIEST MOMENT: when I got home to my Mom after being lost

Nickname: Stinky or Gasdog

History: Gaston is a well educated mature gentleman attaining masters
levels in both U.S. and Canadian agility as well as flyball. He was a
member of the Loblaws Superdogs and also performed with the North
American Dog Racing Association. He earned most of his numerous titles
and awards in the U.S. and is affectionately known as "Gastin" by his
American friends.

Gaston became very well known in ski country at a mere 4 years old. Here
is his story: "My Mom was at work teaching ski lessons, and at the first
opportunity when the chalet door opened I made a run for it. My chalet
mates chased me down the road, calling my name, and pretending I didn't
hear them, through the apple orchard I ran until I came upon a herd of
deer and joined them on a trek up the Big Baby ski hill. Before I knew
it night was falling and I was lost. It was very very cold, I was hungry
and I really missed my Mom. I found shelter to sleep. Off in the
distance coyotes howled. I was scared. I slept. Soon it was morning and
I continued my search for home. My diet consisted of snow, I was really
hungry. At night it was cold, my Mom said it got down to 30 degrees
below zero since this was February. Valentines Day came and went unknown
to me. The days and nights went by, 8 of them, and I was getting
hungrier and weaker and thought I would never see my warm bed again.
Then one day as I was trotting along the roadside a car pulled over and
a girl's voice called my name. I ran to the car and jumped in. It wasn't
my Mom. I didn't know this girl and I didn't care. She gave me food and
showed me a poster that had my picture and name and address on it. By
evening I was home and relieved, with a full tummy, and I promised my
Mom I would never run away and get lost again. My Mom was very happy."

Gaston is now retired from his very active dog show lifestyle. He still
takes time out to assist in teaching beginner obedience classes with the
Toronto District Board of Education and has been a superb teaching
assistant for the past 9 years. His students love him. Today, Gaston is my inspiration to become a Flyball Head Judge.

 Ball der Dashers 2001