This is the toughest thing I have ever written. I do not know how to express the absolute heartbreak of losing our first dog, Ace. He was more than a hunting partner; he was a member of our family.
From that first cuddle when we went to just have a look, and couldn’t resist those charms. We have been on many adventures, but by far your most favourite thing was duck hunting. I won’t forget those mornings in the hides. Especially the times you got impatient with me, stomping your feet and huffing. All for not letting you off to fetch the ducks while we were working on others. That mammoth morning when you just kept on working, retrieving over 100 birds. Never wanting to stop or give up looking for them. It was such a privilege to watch you work and to call you mine.
Ace’s hunting drive was only second to his love of food. From stealing pizza dough, batches of muffins and cakes off table tops to snatching low-hanging food out of people’s hands. He was often causing trouble when food was around. He loved when our children were learning to eat with all the extra morsels about which he was waiting to come in and hoover up. Those evenings were spent impatiently waiting for us to finish dinner so that you could have yours.
We only got a short time to say goodbye in the end, but I know you enjoyed that last swim in the river and all the treats on your last day. You were the happiest boy with your tail wagging til the end. I miss you, and so do our girls. You will forever be in our hearts, and I hope to see you again one day.
