Silmaril Kennel Trophy Winner – Abel

Oriana Fenton’s Abel TD, AVD III
(June 21, 1985 – July 7, 1993)
Owner – Doug Fenton (Kamloops, BC)
Breeders – Barrie & Ainslie Mills/Eileen Battley (Surrey, BC)

Abel was one of a litter of eleven (3m, 7f) by Am/Can Ch. Alderbrooke’s Rush-Hill Rebel, Am/Can. TD (OS) x Ch. Oriana A Cappella, CDX, WCI, TD, Am.CD, WC, TD (GRCC OD). Seven of this litter became champions and two also became OTCh. and in all, the litter earned 30 titles and numerous honours. The two non-CKC titled dogs were certified, active pet therapy dogs.

Doug Fenton is a paramedic and, at the time of Abel’s acquisition, was an active Ski Patrol member. He approached me about a versatile dog capable of being trained for avalanche rescue work, so Abel could join him in both his occupational and his outdoor interests. Doug started working Abel from day one and at 8 months, he earned his CKC tracking degree.

Doug became an active member and strongly promoted CARDA (Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association). Abel and Doug were a familiar sight in the Whistler/Blackcomb ski resorts. Abel, as his training progressed, rode on chairlifts, snowcats, skidoos and, when the terrain required air drops for searches, dangled beneath helicopters attached to Doug by a harness. Needless to say, this dog had an impeccable temperament! He rode on Doug’s shoulders up the T-bars and learned to place himself between Doug’s legs when snowplowing down the mountain. He suffered his share of cuts and bruises but was Doug’s devoted partner on and off the job. The bond between these two was amazing and grew with the many hours of training.

Abel completed his AVD II (Avalanche Dog) level in British Columbia under a German instructor. He and Doug became the first civilian search and rescue team certified by the RCMP under the Provincial Emergency Programme in BC.

In 1988, the AVD III (master) level required certification in Europe. Doug and Abel were the first Canadian – and the first Golden Retriever – to ever be invited to participate in an international AVD III training course in Germany. They were one of 28 teams on the course and the other teams, initially, laughed at the “large cocker spaniel” in their midst. Fast, alert and athletic, Abel put the other dogs to shame and came home certified with his AVD III. He had a second trip to Europe (Germany and Switzerland) after this and paved the way for Goldens across Canada and Europe to earn recognition in this field of endeavour.

Abel also earned recognition in the film, “Alive”, the story of a plane crash in the Andes Mountains which was filmed in BC. His name appears in the credits, as he once again, accompanied by Doug who acted as paramedic for the movie, found work retrieving the cameras buried in the avalanche scenes. He found them faster than the technology set in place and won a whole new set of fans!

Abel’s untimely death was a blow felt deeply by all who know this great dog. Doug had already committed to a new puppy from the Mills shortly before Abel’s death, and despite his loss, took on the challenge of training a new pup to follow in his Uncle Abel’s paw prints.

Source: Golden Leaves, November/December 1996, p. 39. – click here for PDF