As shared by Michelle Gole.  It all started with a call from Lynnete Wright, as many of my “foster failures” have, about a senior who was relinquished by his owner due to her falling on hard times.

I am a sucker for a white face so how could I say no.  Little did I realize how quickly I would fall in love with this wonderful senior. 

While on the way to pick Ace up, I knew that he would never leave if he fit  into my pack as he had already had too much turmoil in his life.  When I arrived, out came a happy and very wobbly old boy. He was glad to get out of the vet’s office. I boosted him up into the car and off we went.  Ace never left.  The 8 months he was with us was absolute bliss.  Ace was nothing but pure love and he brought joy beyond measure into my life.  While with me, he had lots of fun with his new pack, Jasmine, Tahoe, Marley & Sonny.  It  worked out very well as I had my “Seniors”, Jasmine & Ace, along with the “Youngsters” Tahoe, Marley & Sonny. I was able to do different fun things with each group and their capabilities.  It worked out very well.

Ace had lots of fun experiences.  He helped raise funds for G.R.I.N. at PetSmart, attended the G.R.I.N. reunion picnic, went for walks and rides and enjoyed the simple joys of just  standing in the kiddie pool to cool off on a hot day. To help his mobility, I took him to Maria Duthie for massages.  Trips to Maria were our special time together; just he and I.  I so miss those times. Life with Ace was pure bliss. He was one sweet boy who never did anything wrong in the time I was blessed to have him.   

Unfortunately, sweet seniors don’t live as long as we’d like them to and my dear  Ace passed over the “The Rainbow Bridge”  January 19, 2009;  way too soon for me.  He would have been 13 on February 15th.   I stayed with him while he passed, as did the rest of the pack, since my vet, Dr. Jeni from “The Visiting Vet” makes house calls.  He knew he was loved from the wonderful life he had with his first Mom to his final days with me.   He is now running pain free with all of the others who have gone too soon for their humans left here on earth.  I know he’s got three tennis balls in mouth waiting for us at the bridge.  Hugs and treats to you dear Ace.  Until we meet again. . . .

To his first Mommy:  I wanted you to read his success story before this sad news of his passing.  I cannot tell you how sorry I am that I did not write that first for you. Please forgive me. That will haunt me forever. I know it had to be extremely devastating for you to give him up.  We took wonderful care of him. We loved and spoiled him in your absence.  He’s going to be a really lucky boy in the future; he’ll have two Mommies to meet at “The Rainbow Bridge”.

Special thanks to G.R.I.N. for being one of the few rescue organizations who see the true value of “Old  Gold” and brought him into your program.  If it were not for G.R.I.N., I would not have had the pleasure of knowing and loving Sweet Ace.