A gentle Cattle Dog mix named Ace was given up to the Humane Society of Sonoma County in Santa Rosa, California. The most astonishing part of his surrender was his age, as he had already reached nineteen years of life.
Being relinquished so late in life would have been difficult for any animal, yet circumstances soon became even more challenging. Not long after he arrived, a destructive wildfire moved through Sonoma County.
Space was urgently needed for evacuees and their animals, so Ace and other dogs without adopters had to be transferred elsewhere. He was transported nearly 150 miles to the Sacramento SPCA, where his journey would soon shift in an unexpected way.
Ace Arrives
Word quickly spread that a nineteen-year-old dog had just been brought into the SPCA shelter.
“The rescue posted him and I didn’t know what kind of dog he was, I just knew that he was a 19-year-old dog. I immediately called and asked to foster him,” Bonnie, Ace’s foster mom, told The Dodo.
Although his paperwork revealed him to be a senior with many years behind him, Ace behaved with a youthful spark that surprised those who met him.
“When I asked to foster him, my only intent was to get him out of the shelter. Because he’s nineteen. He’s been through enough, and he needs to get into a home,” she explained.
During his first days with Bonnie, Ace kept his distance. He showed little interest in affection or attention. Over time, however, his personality began to open up, and he even joined in on playtime with Bonnie’s other dogs.
“Ace thinks he’s two. It’s like a teenager or a much younger dog,” Bonnie said.
His greatest love quickly became clear: toys. Ace adored toys of every shape and size, treating them as if they were treasured possessions he could never part with.
His aging body still required help, and his eyesight was fading. He also needed major dental care. After twelve teeth were removed and months of healing in Bonnie’s home, his demeanor slowly softened.
“When he first came up and put his head on my lap and started nuzzling me, it tugged at my heart. That is when I decided that I was going to adopt him,” Bonnie shared.
Soon after, his adoption became official.
A Quirky Companion With His Own Ways
Bonnie hoped for only one outcome for Ace, that he would simply feel content. Yet challenges soon emerged.
As a Cattle Dog mix, Ace had behaviors typical of the breed. He remained independent and focused more on his toys than on human interaction. Unlike many dogs, he did not constantly seek pets or cuddling.
“After he bit her, she decided to surrender him to us. We are glad we kept in touch with her, as Cattle Dogs are not for everyone!” Lucky Ones Ranch, an animal sanctuary in Vacaville, California, later wrote in a Facebook post.
At Lucky Ones Ranch, the volunteers allowed Ace to live as he liked, without demanding affection.
“He preferred toys over people interaction. He did not want to be petted and loved on. And that was ok with us. At his age of 19 years old, we just wanted him to be happy and do what he was most comfortable in doing,” they explained.
At the sanctuary, Ace enjoyed his days wandering freely, snoozing in the sun, and most importantly, playing nonstop with his beloved toys.
The sanctuary believed that his deep attachment to toys likely came from long stretches of isolation earlier in life. Toys may have been what kept him occupied, and the comfort they brought never left him.
“We think he must have been left alone for long periods of time, and he has become obsessed with toys to occupy his time,” Lucky Ones Ranch said.
For the next year and four months, Ace lived a peaceful and joyful life. When he reached twenty years of age, he passed away quietly at the ranch, surrounded by people who cared for him, along with the toys he treasured most.
After everything he endured, Ace was finally able to spend his last chapter with comfort, calm, and the happiness every dog deserves.