Meet Mason and Taj

This summer, we were delighted to feature two very special rising stars on our BMO Mainstage—Mason and Taj, who stepped into the spotlight as Launce’s beloved dog Crab in The Two Gentlemen of Verona! 

In between their busy schedule of performing, playing backstage with the cast and crew, and doing interviews with Global TV, we chatted with Mason and Taj (and their humans Christopher and Jennifer Gaze and Annika Eng) about their summer and what they like to get up to when they’re not on stage. 

How has your summer with Bard been?
Mason: At first the rehearsal room was daunting, but now I love all the actors and crew backstage. Between appearances on stage, Scott Bellis and I will even roll about on the grass wrestling. I also get more than a few treats doled out to me! 

Taj: I have had a wonderful time performing in The Two Gentlemen of Verona at Bard on the Beach! The cast and crew are so nice and treat me very well. Every day I walk in and feel like a celebrity! Throughout the summer I have really taken on this acting role—knowing when to look at the crowd, when to stare lovingly or away from my castmate Scott Bellis, and when to add in the occasional improvisation to get a giggle from the crowd. 

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you like to do when you’re not performing?
M: I am a gentle, chilled-out dog who is lowkey and easy with everyone, young and old. My humans Christopher and Jennifer call me an innocent—I’ve only known love. I’ve enjoyed a wonderful life and I’ve given my humans a wonderful life! I love to play chase, though sometimes I will pretend I want to go outside and then walk away when my humans try to let me out. I have a sense of humour and like to wrestle and roll in the grass and sand. I was also very tolerant with all puppies when I was younger, but now that I’m seven years old, I’ll either ignore them or give them a “woof” to tell them it’s not okay to jump up on me! When I’m not performing, there’s a cul-de-sac behind our home where we can meet up with our neighbours and their six dogs, and we love to socialize and play together every day in the summer. 

T: Even though I am a big dog, I am a gentle giant. Since I was a puppy, I have enjoyed cuddles and consider myself a lap dog, though the humans think otherwise. Most people see me in working mode where I tend to be very serious, but rest assured, when I am off duty and playing with my furrends I can be quite goofy. When I am not performing, I enjoy getting out in nature and exploring. I like to hike, mountain bike, swim, kayak, and paddleboard. As I am only two years old, I am still building up my stamina and have to work hard to keep up with my human, Annika! 

What would you say is your best trait?
M: My humans say that I charm everyone with my gentleness, playfulness, and peacefulness, and that my beautiful life is a gift to everyone to meets me! 

T: I have been told that I am a very lovable dog, but my human’s favourite things about me are how gentle and caring I am. Whenever my human is feeling unwell, I always make sure I am by her side. One time she got food poisoning and had a ruff night, but I made sure to stay close so she knew she wasn’t alone. The other thing that melts my human’s heart is when she sees me with children. She had a fear of dogs growing up, so when she sees me calm and relaxed with kids enjoying petting me, it makes her oh so happy… and I am most happy when my human is happy. 

Taj and Mason with Annika and Christopher.

Both of you underwent training as service dogs before being adopted. Can you tell us a bit more about that?
M: I came to my humans in 2018 when I was 9 months old. I was trained as a BC + Alberta Guide Dog, but due to a medical problem (well sorted by medication), I was released from the program. My humans never say that I failed, but that I chose another career! When I first came home, I was ultimately trained: never going in a door before my humans, going down stairs behind them, never getting up on a couch or bed, always coming when called, ringing a bell on the door to say that I needed to go outside, never touching my food until they said I could, and more. Now I sleep on their bed, have a fur blanket to lie on the couch, and sometimes I’ll keep sniffing too long at a spot even when they call me! 

T: My human got involved with PADS through a club partnership at her university called Campus Canines UBC. She joined the club and soon after, picked me up at 8 weeks old and started her puppy raising journey. We spent the next 18 months together side-by-side, training and learning together. When she found out I was being medically released from the program she jumped at the opportunity to adopt me and make me a permanent part of her family. Although I no longer get to go everywhere with her, I have a new role in helping to mentor the new PADS puppies she brings into our home. 

Taj with his brother Blanco, a service dog in training!

Thank you to Mason, Taj, and their wonderful humans Christopher, Jennifer, and Annika for speaking with us today! 

Be sure to catch Mason and Taj in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, running until September 19, 2025 on the BMO Mainstage! Get your tickets now by visiting our Season Schedule.