Our Ski
Dazzle® Snow Dog™ mascot,
Sequoia has greeted you at the front entrance of
the show for the past 4 years and now, at 11 years old, he is
officially retiring and next year will be “handing his duties”
over to his 1 year-old protégé, Shasta.
Both
of these beautiful dogs are remarkable pure white German
Shepherds, and they “carry a badge” looking to rescue any skier or
snowboarder in distress on the snow. These amazing animals are K9
members of the California Rescue Dogs Association,
Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dogs Association and have been
trained to locate lost or missing people in and around the
mountains of California.
For 11 years, Sequoia has been a local celebrity in
California as he rides the chairlifts and is often air-lifted to
remote areas by helicopter. He is then lowered and raised by
harness in and out of dangerous areas to search for lost hikers,
snowboarders and skiers. In his “off hours” Sequoia enjoys
racing down the ski runs at Southern California resorts following
his owner, playing with the kids and adults during Ski School
breaks and as a member of the Ski Patrol, joyriding in helicopters
and snowcats.
Rick
Strasser, who is Sequoia’s owner and trainer, is a
Firefighter and Paramedic for the Barstow Fire Department and has
been a member of various emergency and rescue services for over
twenty years. Strasser, and Sequoia have been teaching
Shasta “the ropes” this past season so she’ll be ready to take
over Sequoia’s duties at the show next year. Meanwhile, come help
us celebrate, Sequoia’s retirement and meet our Official Ski
Dazzle Snowdog mascot during his appearance at the JEEP
Display at the Main Entrance .
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