This blog was set up to be primarily a visual account of various events and stories. It’s my point of view told visually. However, this time, I want to say something.
These are photos from a candlelight memorial for a dog named Ace. Ace was euthanized in the building across the street from where this event took place. No one in these photos had ever met Ace, but everyone who participated in this candlelight memorial mourned his death. We all knew him from a few photos we saw of him, taken at the Hardware store in Detroit where he was discovered a week ago, starving and in very bad shape. Before anyone ever saw the photos, the owner of the hardware store saw, in the eyes of this dog, what we would all come to see: real suffering and pain. He did what any compassionate person would do, he called for help. Unfortunately, what happened after that was not what the hardware store owner was hoping for. Ace got sucked into a system where there is no room for compassion; only rules and regulations. It is system that does not work and it needs to be changed.
To the owner of the hardware store, I know you are sad about what happened to Ace and I know you feel some blame. But please know this: what happened here is going to save more animals then you could ever imagine. YOU have put a face on a problem that many were unaware of. You and the photos of Ace have empowered many to change a system that is not working. Your compassion for Ace has spread to thousands and this will lead to change. Thank you for that.
I know the stray animal problem that exists in Detroit and in most cities is not an easy problem to fix and it may never be completely corrected. However, what I do know is that this problem involves living, breathing things that suffer like all of us. I do believe that there is room in a system of rules and regulations for compassion. There has to be.
If Ace’s story touched you at all, you need to act on that. Get involved with groups and organizations that are set up to help strays like Ace. Go to the Detroit Dog Rescue page on Facebook or their website to learn more about how you might be able to help or to donate to the cause. Here is a link to the Save Ace Facebook page to learn more about his story. At the very least, when you decide to get a pet, adopt. Go to your local animal shelter and see how many wonderful animals there are to adopt. Better yet, do some research and find a local rescue group with animals ready for adoption. Adopting an unwanted animal is a very fulfilling experience.
For a video of the memorial go HERE.
Thank you for taking the pictures of last nights candle light memorial! I lighted one here in MO for him and all dogs like Ace. Again THANK YOU for sharing with the people who could not be there in person but were there in spirit!
The story is horrible. I cannot believe that this shelter (and many others) operate this way and such a coverup has occurred. The people of this shelter need to be fired and new animal loving people need to be brought in….and…the LAWS need to be changed so that the shelter can turn animals over to these organizations which are licensed to rehabilitate these animals and if DEEMED fit to be turned into PETS…they should be able to do so. These groups have obviously gotten their license because they QUALIFIED for it. There is NO NEED for a living, breathing animal to be killed because someone takes pleasure in it nor because society deems a certain breed to be unsafe! Every few years the UNSAFE “DOG” changes…it was the German Shepherd years ago, it was the Doberman, years ago, it was the Rotwiler not so many years ago…and now the Pit Bull. The OWNERS are to blame…not the BREED OF DOG…Do what the GERMANS DO…make humans take a dog training class…if they pass the class , then let them get a spayed or neutered dog…stop some of this unnecessary birth rate!
I am not comfortable blaming the folks that work at DAC because I believe that they were doing their job and maybe to them putting a stray who is in bad shape to sleep is being compassionate. I think we all have the right to be upset about this but our energy should be focused on make the system work better and not towards individuals.
when you get a court order telling you not to destroy the dog and you do it anyway that is a powerplay. They did what they wanted to do and they should all be fired.
Also I agree we should work on changing the system.
Doing their job? A judge actually ordered them to HOLD ON, Ace was granted a stay. A JUDGE!. What does doing their job have to do with anything? They disobeyed a court order because they were doing their jobs? They should be fired for disobeying a court ordered stay. Simple as that. How did they know this dog could not be saved? Did they check him medically? Did they feed him and he refused food? Who gave them the right to make this call, especially since a JUDGE granted a stay. It doesn’t make any sense.
Beverly, I understand what you are saying. I guess I am saying that I want to see all the facts before I lay blame on anyone or any group, but in the meantime I want to focus my anger towards the system. We know the system isn’t working and it needs to be changed. If an investigation finds individuals at fault then they need to go for sure.
This saddens me. The DAC should be held responsible since there appears to have been a court order postponing this dog’s execution. These particular employees have become too hardened in their jobs to do the right thing by these animals.
Thank you. Thousands more across the world wish they could have been standing there with you last night. RIP, ACE.
These are great photos! Thanks for sharing! I wish I could have made it to the ceremony. I did cuddle up with my two dogs last night (Pit Bull and Husky) and held them very tight. RIP Ace!
Much Love,
Christine in Maryland
Anne,
May the rescues that were in attendance use these photos on Facebook (but not in publication or press packets) as long as we credit you? These photos are stunning. You captured the emotion of the evening beautifully.
Melissa
Send me an email if there is a photo you’d like to use.
anne @ annesavagephotography.com
Thank you so much for sharing your sentiment and photos! My heart aches for what happened to Ace.
Thank you for so beautifully putting into words what I feel in my heart.
God Bless Everyone that tried to help save ACE! Ace you will NEVER be forgotten! Thanks for the candlelight vigil photos. Very beautiful tribute to Ace.
This is a beautiful tribute. Thank you.
Thanks for this. We have now moved beyond tragedy in shelters everywhere. While I am far from Detroit, I am right with Ace forever in spirit and hope he is doing wonderfully across the Bridge. <3 I will NEVER forget and will work tirelessly to undo all these tragedies.
The pictures are so amazing– would love permission to use one??
The night was cold, but the caring and compassion of so many “Strangers” in one place, warmed the heart-
This isn’t over there are so many dogs just like ACE in Detroit- I pray this really evokes change, in policy and in peoples hearts-
Margo,
email me anne @ annesavagephotography.com.
RIP ACE. May your death not be in vain. I urge all to continue on the good fight to see no other dogs are so disrespectfully treated at the hands of DAC. If only he could have passed to the bridge in the arms of love and compassion.
I believe they did not obey the Judge’s order because they had already killed him. They will have to answer eventually. It was wrong on so many levels. I pray that city officials will make changes because IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
Thank you so much for capturing the spirit of last nights vigil. I appreciate the beauty of your work.
Terry
This is such a tragedy. I would like to know if the person(s) responsible for ignoring the court order will be arrested, as is usually the case when someone defies a court order. I don’t believe they “didn’t see it” as they have stated, but rather had already killed him or chose to ignore it.
I WAS FOLLOWING THIS STORY FROM THE START. I WAS PRAYING SO HARD FOR “ACE” AND ANOTHER DOG IN IRELAND. I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY IF THE DAC HAD THE “ACE” IN THEIR HANDS, #1. WHY WEREN’T THEY GETTING HIM MEDICAL TREATMENT. HE WAS SO EMACIATED.#2. WHY DID THE DAC DISOBEY THE COURT ORDER STATING NOT TO KILL THE POOR DOG, AND #3. WHY DID THE DAC DESTROY THE LITTLE GUY WHEN THEY KNEW SOMEONE WAS COMING TO CLAIM HIM?
WHAT DAC DID TO POOR LITTLE ACE WAS WRONG. PURE AND SIMPLE.IT WAS GREAT THAT YOU HAD A TRIBUTE TO HONOR OUR BELOVED FRIEND.I VIEWED THE PHOTOS OF EVERYONE STANDING OUT IN THE COLD FOR THE CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL. IT’S JUST SO DISHEARTENING TO HEAR WHAT HAPPENED TO ACE. MY TEARS STARTED STREAMING DOWN MY FACE WHEN I STARTED READING ABOUT HOW EVERYTHING CAME ABOUT. R.I.P. ACE. JESUS LOVES YOU AND SO DO I.
BARB
I’m so sorry Ace that this happened to you. I know that you’ve made it to the rainbow bridge and are with my babies that are there. I can see that you are playing with them. And just know that there are people down here that are thinking of you now with love.