Ash was an absolute menace from the moment he entered our lives. For weeks after adopting him, I often ran for my life down the hall while he chased me thinking, “I think I just made the worst decision of my life,” but unfortunately for him, he was stuck with us.

He eventually became my loving shadow, tolerated others at best, and spent his free time chasing and terrorizing the kids with enthusiasm. He had a very distinct shaped marking on his face, a feature he honored daily by being, quite frankly, an absolute dick. That never once deterred the kids though. His grumpy shenanigans brought them nothing but glee, and they knew he secretly cuddled them while they slept.

The kids played a frequent game where one would be brave enough to scoop him up, and then chase each other around the house with him like a weapon, which he pretended to hate but mysteriously “ran away” MUCH SLOWER when he realized he was being picked up as a weapon and not as a pet.

Despite the chaos (and the emotional warfare), Ash was deeply, fiercely loved. He was truly one of a kind and completely irreplaceable.

You will be missed so much, our grumpy old man. Thank you for the best years.