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Ashley Carleton

@ashley_carleton

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💔 Pet Loss & Pet Things. Dog Mum Life
🐕 Vanlife. Three Dogs & A Cat @rotty_ace
🥇 Run races to collect medals
👇 Pet Discount Codes. RIP King Ace

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1 Year 💔 I say 365 days without you Ace. Because everyone knows how I have been counting, each and every single day. In my journal to you in heaven. 3,360 days with you. No amount of time would ever be enough Ace. The love of my life. Thank you for loving us. You are my soulmate, protector, best friend, my other half. Life is not the same without you Nearly everyday I have been refreshing Google seeing, 'how many days has it been since April 3rd 2025.' Because I just didn't believe that you're gone Ace. I still don't This time last year we went to the vet clinic, because you could no longer go to the toilet. Then we went to a second vet clinic to get a second opinion, because I didn't believe this was actually happening. Your back end was closedThey wanted to send you to heaven there and then. But I had a full last day planned, and your funeral. So we kept you overnight and had the best last day together. I am not okay without you Ace. They say pets come into your life for a reason, and then once you learn the lesson they pass. I haven't learnt my lesson Ace, I need you back. I can't do this without you I remember one of the times speaking to the animal communicator with you, you said that you didn't want your leg amputated. That you were fine, everything was fineFor the first time, writing this I am speechless. I just don't know what to say. There are just no words to comprehend how I feel living with you. What I would give to see you one last timeGoing through this alone it's the hardest thing I have ever had to do, when the one person that you want. Is the one that is passed away.Watching the love of your life grow old, is the most beautiful gift I could ever receive. I am very greatful every day for our 9.4yrs together To love you. To help you. To hold you. I choose you over and over again in this lifetime and more. I choose you over and over again even with my heart broken on the floor. Each day I get to kiss you, and touch your velvet teddy bear ears. Each day I give thanks that we got to be together, so it be it for many more yearsAlways & Furever, Ashley & Ace xx Ace 💙 21.01.16 - 03.04.25🐕 @rotty_ace ..#grief #rainbowbridge by @ashley_carleton

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4 months ago

Pet Loss 💔 10 things I wish I knew about grief. 4 days until your 1st Heaven anniversary Ace. I want to put together posts that can help other people, and be honest about pet loss and grief. How it will completely change your life. You will never be okay living without them. But that is okay, because we had the best life together. And unfortunately we have no choice, it is the heartbreaking side of love and life1. You will never get over it. But you will have to learn to live with it, and carry them in your heart 2. It hurts. Your heart will break. And you will feel the pain for the rest of your life. But that's okay 3. You do eventually feel like they have never left you, because they haven't they are still there 4. You can still love them every day, in every way. It's like having a best friend that has moved away5. You do not have to stop talking about them. They still exist, and they are still a part of your story6. People will not understand. But eventually you will feel sorry for them, because they haven't felt this love 7. You are not alone. Unfortunately it happens to us all, heartbreaking-life-changing pet loss & grief8. You can still talk to them. You can still walk with them. You will see things and always think of them9. Use photos/videos to create and save memories. Don't stop talking about them, you will never forget10. Your life will completely change, and never be the same again. You will then have to try carry on As I sit here with the boys Conan looked at me and I just sad, do you know it's already nearly been a year without Ace. I just cannot believe it. It feels like a week ago, maybe a few weeks, maybe a month max. I can't believe it's been so longLife goes by so quickly, and so does death. There is actually so many things I could say, so many things I could write. Many of you have read my journal for nearly 365 days, but I will leave it with this xx 4 days until your 1st Heaven Anniversary Ace. 361 days without you Always & Furever xx Ace & Ashley xx🐕 @rotty_ace ..#grief #rainbowbridge #souldog #dogs #petloss by @ashley_carleton

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4 months ago

Ace 💔 The love of my life. Thank you for loving us. You are my soulmate, protector, best friend, my other half, love of my life. I don't know how we're supposed to live without youThis just doesn't feel real, you were supposed to live a long old man healthy life. We love you AceIt just shows how strong, beautiful, fearless, loving you your soul and your presence was. Because now it feels extremely quiet and lonely. I feel numb. I feel hollow. My eyes are burning. My heart is aching If someone had have told me I would only have 3,360 days with you I wouldn't believe them. But then when you say 9 years 2 months and 13 days for some reason sounds longer Only 110 months. 480 weeks. 80, 638 hours. 4,838,313 minutes. 290,298,792 seconds Thank you so much for loving us. Thank you so much for shaping my entire life. Without you I wouldn't have the others. We did vanlife so we could spend every moment possible together I have cried more tears in the last 3 months than I have my whole life. My heart feels more broken than it has ever been before. Watching the love of your life grow old, is the most beautiful gift I could ever receive. I am very greatful every day To love you. To help you. To hold you. I choose you over and over again in this lifetime and more. I choose you over and over again even with my heart broken on the floor Each day I get to kiss you, and touch your velvet teddy bear ears. Each day I give thanks that we got to be together, so it be it for many more yearsAlways & Furever, Ashley & Ace xx Ace 💙 21.01.16 - 03.04.25By Ashley Carleton🐕 @rotty_ace ......#rottweiler #staffy #germanshepherd #amstaff #rottie #GSD #dogtoys #dog #dogs #puppy #vanlife #funnydogvideos #dogfood #tortie #happydog #love #dogsandcats #cats #dogsofinstagram #doglover #vanlifeaustralia #blackcats #cutedogs #animalrescue #dogvideos by @ashley_carleton

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a year ago

Pet Loss 💔 Dear Ace, 473 days without you. This week will be 68 weeks without you. Each and everyday I still feel you next to me. If you are reading this please be gentle on yourself, I would say it took us one year to be somewhat okay without Ace. It is now 15 months, and I'm ready to talk. I cry. I laugh. I remember. I smile. I feel. I sob. My heart still feels a depth of pain, only his death could create. But I wouldn't change it for the world because he was my everythingBut what they don't tell you is it completely changes your life. It completely changes who you are. They say after someone dies you have to continue on, get back to life. But your life no longer exists. You will want to quit your job. You will realise who was there for you in your time of need. If you have other pets they will struggle too, and the dynamic of everything will changeBut one thing that kept me going. Was that Ace dedicated his life to loving me, and teaching me about everything. He created my entire life and who I am today. So I now honor him by continuing his journey with me, through me. And my other beautiful furbabies. I know he is still with us, it doesn't feel like he's left. We just can't touch him. I miss absolutely everything about himIf you have other furbabies, or adopt another pet. You will then go through a journey of learning to love again, differently. And that takes time too. You might find the pain of getting another unbearable, it might take many years and that is okay to. I want to remind you that, you do not have to stop talking about them. You do not have to stop loving them. You do not have to stop talking to them. They are still with you, and they still love you very muchThank you @lovebaxterco for these beautiful slides. If you, or anyone else you know needs help with and through pet loss and grief. Please always reach out to someone to talk. And follow other beautiful pages that help make you feel like you're not alone🧡 @lovebaxterco🐕 @rotty_ace Always & FureverAce & Ashley xx ..#grief #rainbowbridge #souldog #dogs #petloss by @ashley_carleton

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6 days ago

Nails 💅 The truth is. We did not practice nails growing up. The boys always filed them down walking and running around. Older, spent more time on the grass, and walking together. We needed to condition clippersAce had a bad experience as a puppy. You think you're doing the right thing, and take them to the vet clinic. When number one, they have the possibility of cutting them too short. And number two, sometimes you don't want to do all the toe beans at once. If you have a puppy you want a condition a good experience, and do a few nails at a timeUsing a food reward, helps them want to offer you to clip the nails. Being conscious of the time of day you try to do nails. You might do it after a walk or playtime, when they have released their energy and ready to sit down. You might do it before dinner because they are wanting their food, so you can use that food every time you clip a nailNail clip, treat, nail clip, treat.. If you live in a multi dog household, try to find the dog that will let you do it first so others can watch. Then you will notice the others offering their paw, because they want the food too. Because the boys do love it and let me do it, I do end up rewarding everyone for taking part at the same time haha If your dog or cat doesn't like getting their nails done, you were going to start off with doing one nail a week. You might be starting off with just holding their foot + treat. Hold. Treat. Hold. Treat. Same with using the nail drill but I will make another video for that. I do clip Daisy's nails. I do one foot a month(ish), or when they need to be done. And she gets a treat too after itRemember when clipping nails to check underneath where the wick is. And also starting off small only clip the end, and work your way down. If you get to the wick, you will see a dot at the end. That is the start of the inside of their nail that will bleed. Do not go any shorter than that. I like to clip the ends and finish off with the drill to get closer. Let me know how you get on💅 New clippers $3 from @bunnings Always & FureverAce & Ashley xx 🐕 @rotty_ace ..#doggrooming #dognails #souldog #dogs #cats by @ashley_carleton

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8 days ago

Cats 🐈‍⬛ 10 reasons why cats are better than dogs. We love youuuu Daisy. This is your sign to rescue and adopt a kitty cat todayTheir play time zoomies are smaller They are quieter and do not bark They eat less food and love food You do not have to train them if you don't want toYou do not have to walk them if you don't want toThey are independent if you are busyThey are small in size but give the best cuddles Just kidding, we love both cats and dogs equally. But if you don't want to walk your dog then adopt a catAlways & FureverAce & Ashley xx 🐕 @rotty_ace ..#cats #catsanddogs #kitten #dogs #rescue by @ashley_carleton

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9 days ago

Vanlife Lately ❤️ Dear Ace, I don't think no one or nothing could prepare me to live without you. I miss you so much. Every day. 1 year, 3 months, 12 days without you. 468 days and it feels like you've never left Trust me when I say that Ace was also Buddy and Conan's soul dog. They were just as devastated, lost and heartbroken as I was when his body left this earth. We have stuck together with Ace's spirit still with us, and our strong unconditional love for one another. My beautiful babies We recently went and spoke with our OG psychic lady that we have known for 10 years. I got to connect with you, and feel your head on my shoulder. The boys and Daisy are doing great, we have the best days with all the pats. We always feel you walking and resting with us I still go through moments of happiness and sadness. One day I'll look at photos and videos and it will break my heart and cry. And other times I will smile, laugh and rememberOne thing I haven't spoken about that hurts, is that you dying is the beginning of the end. I have days where I'm okay. And then other days when it just breaks my heart. I have a picture memory, and knowing what you looked like when you were gone. Everything I wish there was more words that I can say instead of 'I miss you so much', because it just doesn't do it justice. For the first time I spoke out loud, how in November 2024 my heart my soul told me that you were going to die. How you then recovered like the miracle you are, from your GDV at 9 yrs old. I still have to post about that and to help others I still want to post all my poetry that I wrote through that time. I love the boys and Daisy very much. I cry about how much I love you all. We are still always having the best time like you are here with us. But nothing or no one could ever fill that space in my heart, until I see you againAlways & FureverAce & Ashley xx 🐕 @rotty_ace ..#grief #rainbowbridge #souldog #dogs #petloss by @ashley_carleton

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11 days ago

Vanlife Lately ❤️ Dear Ace, I don't think no one or nothing could prepare me to live without you. I miss you so much. Every day. 1 year, 3 months, 1 week, and 3 days without you. My 900th post of course has to be a journal entry 🙋🏻‍♀️ I am 2000 weeks old. 460 months old. And my 900th post woohoo. I noticed how short time feels, when you put it into perspective of weeks or months after Ace died. And then calculating Conan's birthday in May. It feels like such a short period of time. So I calculated mineWe recently went and spoke with our OG psychic lady that we have known for 10 years. I got to connect with you, and feel your head on my shoulder. The boys and Daisy are doing great, we have the best days with all the pats. We always feel you walking and resting with us I still go through moments of happiness and sadness. One day I'll look at photos and videos and it will break my heart and cry. And other times I will smile, laugh and rememberOne thing I haven't spoken about that hurts, is that you dying is the beginning of the end. I have days where I'm okay. And then other days when it just breaks my heart. I have a picture memory, and knowing what you looked like when you were gone. Everything I wish there was more words that I can say instead of 'I miss you so much', because it just doesn't do it justice. For the first time I spoke out loud, how in November 2024 my heart my soul told me that you were going to die. How you then recovered like the miracle you are, from your GDV at 9 yrs old. I still have to post about that and to help others I still want to post all my poetry that I wrote through that time. I love the boys and Daisy very much. I cry about how much I love you all. We are still always having the best time like you are here with us. But nothing or no one could ever fill that space in my heart, until I see you againAlways & FureverAce & Ashley xx 🐕 @rotty_ace ..#grief #rainbowbridge #souldog #dogs #petloss by @ashley_carleton

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13 days ago

The Rakali 🦦 Water Rat (Hydromys chrysogaster) is a large, native Australian semi-aquatic rodent, often affectionately referred to as the "Australian otter". One of Australia's largest native rodentsGrowing up to 30 cm long. With a matching tail, they are easily identified by their thick, waterproof fur, orange to white belly, and distinctively white-tipped tail. Chisel-shaped teeth with distinctive hard yellow enamelBuddy would have made a wonderful native wildlife protection dog. Known as conservation detection dogs, they safely sniff out rare, elusive, or endangered species—like the Pygmy bluetongue lizard, koalas, and quolls—without needing to physically disturb the animals or their habitatsHabitat: They thrive in permanent freshwater, estuarine, and coastal environments all over Australia (and Papua New Guinea) where there is dense vegetation to build burrowsCane Toad Killers: They are famous for being one of the only Australian mammals capable of eating the highly toxic invasive cane toad safely. They flip the toad over and surgically remove the toxic glands before eating the restDiet: They are carnivorous and opportunistic, hunting fish, crustaceans, frogs, and even small birdsCultural History: While historically called the "water rat," environmental agencies and First Nations groups—specifically the Ngarrindjeri people of the Murray River—championed the traditional Indigenous name "rakali" to help change negative public perceptions and promote conservationRemember if you ever find SEQ wildlife in need please call Wildcare on (07) 5527 2444 🐭 @wildcareaustralia Always & FureverAce & Ashley xx 🐕 @rotty_ace ..#Australia #wildlife #souldog #dogs #animalrescue by @ashley_carleton

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17 days ago

GCM10 🏃🏻‍♀️ My 10th Race. My not good race. I have never wanted to give up so bad. It was so hot. I missed the first water station to wet my head. The next was 5km. I went out way too fast. I wanted to stop so bad. I was trying to distract myself so much and just get to the end. I just wanted to cry. It was not the result that I wanted todayI felt so hot and slow. The crowds at the Gold Coast Marathon 10km are always so quiet unless they know someone. I actually find the flat straight roads so boring and long, compared to the other races with hills, twist and turns. The finish line ending felt like it went on forever, it just kept goingThis is the first time crying over a race result that I am not happy with. I wanted to do better. I just checked the course maps and there was apparently a water station at 2.5km but I must have missed it. There was even a station spraying people with water, I liked that. I'm just really disappointed with todayThis was also the first finish line, that I have ever wished I had friends or family there to support me. I looked around at everyone like wouldn't it be cool to have people supporting you. I will just have to keep practicing in the sun. 9.30am is not a fun time to start a road race My body felt good. I was super pumped to do well, and then my head just overheated. The second half was a real struggle. People were stopping, pulling to the side, on the side of the road getting help, it wasn't just me. A lot of people were really hot. I've never wanted to stop so bad. And then I remembered I had a good first half so I just had to ride it out. In the end I did my same average time of 49min. But I am happy with getting 28th out of 467 in my age groupI can't even remember seeing the first water station, and that just ruined my whole race. But now I know for next time. I also need to get a running watch to see what pace I'm doing. Because I use my phone I don't know how fast I am running until I finish the km is finished. Onwards and upwards. Thank you Ace for pushing me to the finish line xx Always & FureverAce & Ashley xx 🐕 @rotty_ace ..#grief #marathon #running #dogs #petloss by @ashley_carleton

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18 days ago

Grief 🏃🏻‍♀️ I started running because my soul dog Ace died, 3rd of April 2025. 15 months ago. I started running with $30 Kmart shoes. LSKD gifted me a running belt to hold everything, and then after a few weeks running I booked my first race, the 5km at Brisbane Marathon. This year I went back for the 10km, and every race in between. 459 days without you AceGold Coast Marathon 10km, was my 10th Ace Race. This year I was well prepared, and got our names on my race bibs to keep furever. The boys on all three 10km Marathons, Conan is next. I'll have to show you my album set upMy whole life I have always loved sport and being physically active, I was always a really good runner and unfortunately stopped on and off throughout life. After Ace died, my grief took me back to my childhood cat, and when I would run to cope with life and heartbreak and trauma. I used to run with the boys when they were growing up, but we hadn't in a while since they were older. Something in me told me to start running so I didNot only did I lose the love of my life, but I wasn't prepared for the boys to get older at the same time. And myself. My mind, body and spirit isn't the same since turning 38 and grief. But that's okay. Buddy and Conan are slowly slowing down, and I also have to hold myself accountable doing too much walking. So I have recently found if I go for a run my go-go personality is tired enough to then slow down with themI would say though I only finally just feel somewhat okay 15 months later without Ace. And now trying to take care of myself again. Even saying that out loud makes me want to cry. So if you're reading this and going through pet loss and grief, or any hard time in your life. I would highly recommend running. And not only that but entering in a race, winning a medal, keeping a bib with your name on it, and having that feeling of achievement and success. A reminder that your mind and your body can do hard things, if you never give up. And your soul dog will always be there with you xx Always & FureverAce & Ashley xx 🐕 @rotty_ace ..#grief #rainbowbridge #souldog #dogs #petloss by @ashley_carleton

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20 days ago

10th 🏃🏻‍♀️ Gold Coast Marathon 10km tomorrow. My 10th Ace Race. This year I was well prepared, and got our names on my race bibs to keep furever. The boys on all three 10km Marathons, Conan is next. I'll have to show you my album set up I started running because my soul dog Ace died, 3rd of April 2025. 15 months ago. I started running with $30 Kmart shoes. LSKD gifted me a running belt to hold everything, and then after a few weeks running I booked my first race, the 5km at Brisbane Marathon. This year I went back for the 10km, and every race in between My whole life I have always loved sport and being physically active, I was always a really good runner and unfortunately stopped on and off throughout life. After Ace died, my grief took me back to my childhood cat, and when I would run to cope with life and heartbreak and trauma. I used to run with the boys when they were growing up, but we hadn't in a while since they were older. Something in me told me to start running so I didNot only did I lose the love of my life, but I wasn't prepared for the boys to get older at the same time. And myself. My mind, body and spirit isn't the same since turning 38 and grief. But that's okay. Buddy and Conan are slowly slowing down, and I also have to hold myself accountable doing too much walking. So I have recently found if I go for a run my go-go personality is tired enough to then slow down with themI would say though I only finally just feel somewhat okay 15 months later without Ace. And now trying to take care of myself again. Even saying that out loud makes me want to cry. So if you're reading this and going through pet loss and grief, or any hard time in your life. I would highly recommend running. And not only that but entering in a race, winning a medal, keeping a bib with your name on it, and having that feeling of achievement and success. A reminder that your mind and your body can do hard things, if you never give up. And your soul dog will always be there with you xx Always & FureverAce & Ashley xx 🐕 @rotty_ace ..#grief #rainbowbridge #souldog #dogs #petloss by @ashley_carleton

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23 days ago