Dedicated Tributes Archive

CH Asta’s Moonlight Serenade “Millie”

Posted on May 19, 2026 by Crystal Smith

Some dogs leave paw prints on your heart. Millie left her whole self there.

Bold and adventurous, yet endlessly devoted, Millie lived every day as if it were a gift — and she made sure everyone around her felt that way too. She was the dog who made friends wherever she went, who adored children with a gentle, open heart, and who brought her signature silliness and sense of humor to even the quietest moments.

She loved the sun on her back, the sand beneath her paws, and the wind at full sprint down the beach. She loved walks, goodies, treats, and the simple joy of being exactly where she was. Curious and inquisitive to the last, she greeted the world with a wagging tail and an open heart — and the world was better for it.

Millie had a great love for her toys, which she called her “babies.” She was no chewer — her collection of dozens of treasured toys, some dating all the way back to her puppyhood, remained lovingly intact. When joy overtook her, as it so often did, she would race to grab a “baby” and parade it proudly, her happiness impossible to contain.

Millie enjoyed life to the fullest right up to the very end, which is perhaps the greatest tribute a dog can earn. Faithful and loyal, joyful and true, she was everything a Portuguese Water Dog is meant to be.

Bred with love and pride by Matthew Davis and Bill Waters of Asta PWDs, Millie found her forever home — and her forever person — in Janice Plummer, who cherished her every single day.

Forever in our hearts. Forever in our memories. Forever Millie.

Bode

Posted on June 16, 2025 by Janet Boyd

Marc Elias, in memory of Bode.

My loyal companion Bode passed away on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from canine lymphoma — just one month shy of his ninth birthday. I know everyone thinks their dog is the best but Bode truly was the best dog ever. He will forever be in our hearts.

Amazing Ace

Posted on December 3, 2024January 3, 2025 by Crystal Smith

How can I ever convey how much Ace meant to me? I’m not sure, but I’ll try.

Ace came to me at a time in my life where I was young enough to keep up with a highly spirited, demanding and intelligent dog.

Ace was everything I’d ever dreamed of in a teammate. Over the years we chased a lot of adventures together, and Ace excelled in every challenge presented to him. In his life, Ace earned more than 50 titles. From conformation, where he was a Gold Grand Champion to 7 agility titles, to obedience and rally titles, to fun things like fetch and tricks titles…Ace always performed beyond my wildest dreams.

But Ace’s true talent came in the water. Ace’s accomplishments in the water were mind-blowing. He earned his Apprentice and Working titles his first summer in the water. Then earned his Courier title at 2 years old, with his Courier X coming the following June. As for Master… Ace retired with his MWD5 Title – the first to ever reach that level.

Looking back, it was an amazing water career. From 2015 – 2018, Ace posted 15 consecutive passing runs. Then from 2019 to 2021, Ace posted an incredible 17 consecutive Master passes. Finally, after retiring him from the Master level, Ace ran FEO at Apprentice, Working, and Courier. In those runs, Ace posted 22 consecutive passing runs. In all, Ace qualified at every water level 7 or more times.

But with all his accomplishments, my fondest memories are of Ace and me, just hanging out, being buddies, friends, brothers. Him laying across my lap, breathing ever so peacefully while I ran my hands through his beautiful black coat. I’d tell myself to mark those moments. To remember them. Cling to them for as long as possible. Those are my most cherished memories. Those are the memories that bring the biggest smile to my face.

There are so many people to thank. Please know that I sincerely appreciate everyone who ever touched Ace’s life. Special thanks to Gary Childers, who not only gave Ace his name, but took the most wonderful photograph of Ace. To Tom & Judy Leather for more things than I can ever name. To Marilu Novy for her friendship and guidance. To Jan Mosher for her support and the most touching gift I’ve ever received. To Maryanne Murray for her mentorship, education, and all-around great conversations. To CJ Favre and Angie Chase for always being there for Ace. To Cathy Dugan…for trusting me with my most precious boy. The most wonderful dog I’ll ever know. And to Sarah. Of course, Ace was Sarah’s dog too, and Sarah is the person who did the most for Ace, keeping him safe and healthy his entire life. I love you SB.

Finally, to Ace, for being the most wonderful, special dog a man could ever love. I’ll love you forever Ace…my Amazing Ace. Godspeed my friend.

CT-ATE CS-ATE2 C-ATCH2 Neocles William Henry C-10 CGC

Posted on August 27, 2019August 27, 2019 by PWDF Admin

CPE agility champ, rally & nose work enthusiast, tunnel scratcher, bagel lover, 70 month cancer survivor (anal sac adenosarcoma), radiant spirit and beloved best friend.

February 1, 2005 was a rainy Tuesday in New Orleans. I made the 90 mile drive to Biloxi, MS. on unfamiliar roads. Later that day, I met Letty Larson Afong and my new 9 week old puppy, Willie.

Fast forward to November 25, 2011. Willie earned his CPE (Canine Performance Events) C-ATCH!

Six weeks later, Willie saw our vet, AJ Kallet for his annual shots and physical. During the exam, AJ found a small nodule in Willie’s anal sac.

Willie was examined by renowned oncologist Dr. Cecile Siedlecki after the lab reports confirmed anal sac adenosarcoma.

Cecile recommended immediate surgical removal of the nodule followed by 16 rounds of radiation and chemo. She offered me a guarded prognosis of 31 months with aggressive treatment.

Willie had the nodule surgically removed the following day. There was no metastasis and the margins were clean!

Two weeks later, Willie started a challenging course of radiation.

After recovering from radiation, Willie had four Carboplatin infusions. He exhibited few side effects.

In June, 2012, Willie finished the infusions and was able to compete in the CPE nationals. He also started a 7 month course of Palladia, an oral chemo drug with no ill effects.

Willie displayed his joyful demeanor during his many veterinary visits! He played with the staff and displayed silly antics such as jumping on moving gurneys!

For the next 2 1/2 years, Willie was rechecked bi-monthly.

The abdominal ultrasounds and chest x rays showed no signs of metastasis! Willie earned a second CPE C-ATCH and the highest title, a CT-ATE!

In early February, 2015, Cecile Siedlecki found a recurrence in Willie’s abdomen. Our new plan included surgery to remove the malignancy followed by Mitoxantrone infusions and Palladia.

Willie recovered quickly from the surgery and was soon able to resume agility. He exhibited minimal side effects from the Mitoxantrone.

Willie did not tolerate Palladia as well this time. We tried lowering the dose, giving Willie periodic “breaks” and supportive anti-nausea meds.

Willie continued to run agility with a lowered jump height. He earned two additional CS-ATE titles. He was in the CPE top 10 Specialist division nationwide in 2015 and 2016.

By early 2017, Willie was slowing down. I retired him from agility and we started rally and nose work.

In June, 2017, Cecile found possible lung metastasis. We had discontinued Palladia a few months prior because of issues with Willie’s appetite.

The spots on his lungs grew and we confirmed metastasis with a needle biopsy. Willie remained active and in good spirits.

We tried another chemo drug, Lomustine, to address the new cancer without success.

Willie was asymptomatic.

The night before we said goodbye, Willie was his usual silly self. Later that night, he lost use of his hind legs.

Willie lived 70 months despite a 31 month diagnosis. I believe in miracles.

Oreo

Posted on August 2, 2019August 2, 2019 by PWDF Admin

Oreo was born on August 10, 2010, and was best friend and part of the family for Alana, Noah, Lisa and Michael for almost 9 years. He was tragically taken from our lives, but not our hearts on May 17, 2019.

We remember Oreo for the life he led, providing companionship, love, laughs and hugs almost every day.

Oreo and his family encourage all PWD owners to research their diets, talk to their veterinarians and make an educated decision about what you are feeding your loved ones. Don’t just give them food that seems cool or is purported to be healthy, make sure that it is healthy first, cool second.

With love and kisses, we miss you Oreo,
Your Family

Sea Dog Port O’Bella

Posted on March 9, 2019March 9, 2019 by Janet Boyd

Dearest Bella,

We miss you every single minute of every day. You were so much more than just a pet. You were like a child and the dearest best friend to all four of us. You made each one of us feel like we were your one and only. We are still lost without you loving us like no other and always bossing each of us around with such a personality.

What a character you were with a personality larger than life. We will always cherish all the memories of the special games we played with you, the snuggle naps and all the wonderful vacations we had together. You lived such a full life and explored so many places with your family in your short 6.5 years. Those special times bring huge smiles to our faces but also such pain to our hearts as we still long to look into those big beautiful brown eyes having the best times together.

Even with beating cancer and living with DCM, you were still the happiest girl every single day loving us and playing with your sisters. If we could’ve saved you we would have at any cost. Until we meet again one day in heaven and hold you again baby Bells….

Love You Always & Forever Bella!!!

Reagan

Posted on January 21, 2018December 3, 2024 by Janet Boyd

Driftwoods Morning Glory, RN, CGCA, RATI, CWDX, MAC-1—

I like to borrow a phrase from author, Dean Koontz who talks about dogs having “Big Little Lives.” If that’s true, and I believe it is, then Reagan had the biggest little life of any dog I ever knew. During her little life Reagan opened so many doors for Sarah and me. Her life truly was bigger than she could have ever known. Through Reagan we met lifelong friends, began our journey into performance sports, and learned so much about Portuguese Water Dogs. We will be eternally grateful to my little brown eyed girl for all the gifts she delivered in her short time on earth.

She’s passed on to the ages now, crossing the rainbow bridge in January 2017. But her presence is always with me. Sometimes she visits me in my dreams, where we once again play in the water. She retrieves yet another article that fell off the boat, brings it to me, and then ever so gently rests her head on my shoulder for a nice long hug. Sometimes she jumps again, but most of the time we just sit with each other. Someday maybe we’ll be together again…I certainly hope so. Bliss to you my little Reagantor.

CH Aviators Anchors Aweigh

Posted on February 26, 2016January 21, 2018 by Janet Boyd

ANCHOR crosses the Rainbow Bridge–

Sadly, we lost ANCHOR, CH Aviators Anchors Aweigh this year; he was nearly 14 years old. Anchor was our great friend, companion and mentor. He taught us what a PWD should be: dignified yet playful, immensely affectionate yet reserved, intelligent yet mischievous, magnificent to view yet still a puppy at heart, and a determined persistent stud dog. He loved being a stud dog and became the progenitor of the breed in his lifetime producing over 70 down line champions to date.

But, above all, Anchor was our friend, our heart dog. Whatever we have done as breeders, it all came back to this wonderful person it gave us unconditional love, affection and loyalty. We will never see his like again and we will miss him in the future as much as we do right now.

[one_third extra=”” anim=””]Anchor, Best Veteran 2012[/one_third]
[one_third extra=”” anim=””]Anchor, Best Veteran 2010[/one_third]
[one_third extra=”” anim=””]Anchor, Best of Winners at the PWDCA National Specialty at age 9 months[/one_third]

Neocles Calimel Cracker Jack

Posted on May 27, 2015January 21, 2018 by PWDF Admin

my constant heart

beats no longer at my feet
the dark warm eyes no longer look at me with love
the silky soft hair is gone from my touch
the body that performed midair miracles is still
the voice that mumbled yammered
and harped is silenced
the hug that filled my heart is absent
the joyful soul no longer sings
the one who stood watch so diligently stands no more
my son, my constant companion, is gone
. . . and my heart breaks

Friendship’s Chloe

Posted on May 27, 2015June 7, 2015 by PWDF Admin

I have lost my dearest love,
the one whose eyes pierced my soul.
They were knowing, wise, sparkling eyes.
Smiling, spirited, eyes
wise beyond all human understanding.
Eyes in which I saw the
face of God.

She was a gift.