ACE

Ace, the quarterback of his two-legged brothers, carries a tough-guy swagger until the groomer works his magic — then he melts into soft perfection. This 12”x16” oil on canvas reveals he masks a sensitive heart behind a confident stance, though he can’t help flinching when he hears the giggles that say he looks pretty; those small, amused sounds always find him out. Even so, Ace turns the teasing into charm, accepting the attention with a tilted head and a slow, knowing wag that says he’s proud to be handsome on his own terms.