ACE OF SPADES
01/18/04 ~ 11/5/05

Ace with Jason and Ron

Yesterday we had a great afternoon visiting Ace of Spades' home and family! Seeing his cattle/caves and hearing Jason talk so highly of Ace was really special. Ace goes *everywhere* with Jason. Ace hangs out with Jason at all times and watches. Jason absolutely LOVES this dog!

Friday afternoon/late evening one of� his cows delivered a still-born.� Lucky for Jason she delivered so he didn't have to go fishin' for this calf.� The umbilical cord had gotten severed or kinked, cutting the life from the calf.� Jason was inside the pen (Ace watches from the outside the pen) helping deliver the calf when the cow went� nuts.� The next thing Jason knew, he was pushed into the far end wall of the building and Ace knew there was something terribly wrong.� Jason said when he got� his bearings back he saw Ace in with him keeping the cow away from him for she was not herself.....half crazed from calving problems.� Jason doesn't know exactly how Ace got in the pen but figured he'd jumped over the waterier for he doesn't attempt to jump through the gate rails.�� Jason says Ace works the cattle whenever he's needed.� Jason tried to get Ace to "show his talent(s)" to us yesterday.� His two� little boys were out there along with DH and myself.� We went in to where the mamma cows were with their brand new babies.� One of the cows charged at us and Ace was right there to stand up to this cow.� ('attaboy, Ace!! :� ) Jason tried to get him (Ace) to herd the cows out the barn but he wouldn't perform for him. (Jason) just couldn't figure out why Ace was not "working" but I told� him he was protecting the kids as well as me from getting hurt.�� I could tell Ace was a little confused for what Jason was trying to get him to do b/c in his eyes, Jason wasn't in harms way......the kids (and me!) were and he didn't think Jason needed any help.

Ace is a true blend of Othello and Sasha.� It took some time for him to warm up to us which I know this is how the ES are, so I just talked with Carrie and Jason, not making much to do about Ace. The next thing, Ace came over as I put out my hand for him to sniff.� I had him sitting on my feet in no time.� As the afternoon wore down, Jason thought Ace remembered me.....he could see it in his eyes.� I didn't think so but he was licking my face, hands, fingers as if I was a long lost buddy.� : )

I told Jason to give Ace another year or two and he'll be the best-est dog in his� neighborhood!� This is a whole new experience for Ace (as� well as the cows and their calves for Ace didn't join this family until� after calving season last year.....and a wee bitty pup at that.� ; )�� I could see Ace's mind working even though he wasn't physically� moving/working.� I saw one of the cows staring down Ace.� Ace lowered his head but had that "ugly" stare, one that would make anyone take the back seat to this dog, and wouldn't take his eyes off this cow.� The cow moved forward, Ace stared harder into this cow's eyes and didn't move a muscle.� Soon the cow relaxed and Ace walked� away.� Jason knows his back is totally covered with this dog around.

I tried to get pictures of Ace but only could get the back end of him� b/c he was always watching the cattle, making sure Jason (Ron and I) were not going to get hurt and the cattle� weren't doing something� "bad".

As we left their place, Jason drove off in the pick-up with Ace sitting in the passenger's seat to go to his Dad's place to� help with his cattle/hogs.� Ace has a huge job to do for Jason has 125 head of cows,� 17 have calved so far (108 left : ) and has 7 Black Angus bulls (4 of� them he's raised from his own stock).� They also have farrow to finish� hogs which was nice to see w/o� going inside a "hog factory" style� building.� Jason says Ace is too heavy on the pigs, likes to grab them� on their sides behind their shoulder(s).� Ace being still a "pup", soon� will figure out how to deal with them (hogs)......one thing at at time.� He� doesn't bother their cats but will chase off any stray (cat) that� doesn't belong.� Several cats accompanied us around as we looked at the� livestock and Ace paid them no mind.

I can hardly wait to see� Ace again, giving him a few more months to grow up.� ; )� It was a great day!! I told Jason about our skunk/dogs.� He told me he shot 5 raccoons out of� tree Ace had "treed". Ron and I were very pleased with Ace of Spades!� ; )

Sad news came a week ago (Nov. 5th) that Ace got run over, severed his spinal cord and was put to sleep for the Vet could do nothing for him. Jason was devastated!

Jason had so many great things to say about Ace. He just couldn't quit talking about how much help Ace was. Loosing him made their livestock work much more time consuming and harder!

A couple of weeks ago, they were cleaning out the cattle yards. Loading the manure spreader, taking it out to the field and back means for lots of driving through gates. Ace kept watch of the gate(s) so they never did have to shut them. He stayed there the whole time while they were out in the field (spreading) and when returned, Ace was right there, "watching the gate".

One night the family came home from church to find the calves were all out. Jason went and got Ace and all Jason had to do was point here and there and Ace put them all back. He was loved by their whole family!

Peg

Ace working the bull
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