" Ace "

Kans & Aust & Fin Dk Ch
WW-89,-91 Eu-91 FinW-90,92
Minimbah Showdown
 

  5.2. 1985 - 23.8.2000

Time flies, doesn´t it?
It was just 14 years ago that I met Ace in Australia and fell in love with him.
It was just 12,5 years ago that he arrived.
We picked him from the airport, he was happy and fresh (and hungry) as ever after his 48-hour flight.
Straight away he filled his great big duty as a  therapy dog, meeting his co-owner at the hospital just few hours before she fell in coma, and never woke up again. Even after the long and tiring trip he was able to comfort and relax a new friend, who had dreamed about him for months.

Since day one in Finland he has been the dog of my life. My constant companion, and reliable friend. We moved together to our capital to study veterinary science. He listened numerous lectures, and perhaps can understand some of them better than I do. He attended dozens of night shifts, sleeping at the clinic while I was working. He saved several dog lives donating blood when needed, and he looked after chinchillas and other little pets my student friends had while we were away.

He taught me to train obedience - the long and hard way - but we both enjoyed it. We tried herding, Ace having more talence for it than myself. We learned tracking, long before Border Collies were allowed to compete in tracking here.

He has always been the leader of the pack - in a nice and quiet way, never needing to remind anyone who is the boss. Still at 15 years, he is the king. He didn`t need to fight with other dogs to show his dominance, he simply is the boss. just by his existence.

He had wonderful show career, being the very first Border Collie in Scandinavia, and obviously in whole Europe to win Best Exhibit in Show at all breeds international dog show. He had numerous wins in Group and finished his champion title in several countries, but more than that, he has been a wonderful companion and workmate.

Ace has been used for breeding very selectively, average being one litter per year.
Ace has produced several obedience, agility and working trial champions, both in his own progeny and continuing in the second and third generation. Majority of his descendants are competing in some form of activities. Many of them have also gained their conformation championships while actually concentrating in other activities.

For me Ace is Once In A Lifetime -dog, teaching me about the breed and true loyality. Aging has only changed him wiser, and if possible, even more loyal than before. I wish every dog friend could once in their life feel the same kind of friendship that has developed between Ace and me over the years we have spent together.

In August 2000 Ace started to tell his time is close. Being at the hospital it took me some days to sort things out to get a holiday to say goodbye with him. But like always, he didn´t leave me. He waited me to come home. We spent the night together, and the following day he said it. He wanted to go.

The pain will take time, but there are enough memories for my lifetime!
Thank you Ace, for sharing your life with me!

I wanted to add a collection of photos of our years together.
Official info about Ace can be found here.