Photos by Mayra Hamilton and Jelena Semjonova

Honna, an international flight attendant, and her tennis coach husband, Ilja, moved so often for his job that they were never able to fit a dog into their lives. But after this New Jersey couple happily settled into the Lake Nona area, Honna thought it was time to welcome a dog into their family. Ilja, however, never owned a dog in his life. Honna decided to visit a dog breeder – just to look, mind you! NO intention of owning a dog, just to look. When she laid eyes on this sweet little Toy Goldendoodle, she immediately phoned Ilja, who very firmly said “NO.” Honna’s voice did not hide her disappointment on that call, and within five minutes, Ilja called back and said yes. At that very moment, this sweet Toy Goldendoodle ran to Honna with a pen in his mouth! You can imagine him saying: “Sign me out, please!”

The next day, Ilja and Honna returned to pick up their four-month old, who Ilja, ever the tennis coach, decided to name ACE.  

Honna admits, “Ever since the first day we brought ACE home, our lives changed for the better.” ACE  became their baby. So what baby doesn’t have a first birthday with photos in front of the cake? This  little guy was no exception. 

As you can see by the party table, ACE was celebrated in a big way at the Bark Park. His paw-rents gave  him a cake, but that’s not all! There were balloons and goodie bags – or should I say “doggie bags” – for  everyone. His doggie BFFs all joined in the celebration: Archie, Loki, Rex, Rosie, and even Ace and Leo,  the Baxter family pooches, joined in. What a celebration! Happy Birthday, ACE! 

Stay tuned. Who knows, next year ACE may have a “destination” birthday party!