Dogs of Scratch: Meet Ace - Scratch

Soft. Cuddly. Sensitive. Discerning. Local street artist and gallery host, Ace the Staffy x Dingo, is an old soul but keeps up with the young pups of the art world. We sat down with him over a brew at Honey Bones Gallery in Brunswick to find out what keeps him goingā€¦

Jewsri AceWhatā€™s a typical day look like for you, Ace?

Iā€™ll usually wake up and get serenaded by my younger brother, Fury. Letā€™s just say he lacks chill. Then Iā€™ll grab some breaky. A nice bowl of Scratch. After that Iā€™ll either head here to the Gallery or to a mural site with my human, Jesse. Iā€™ll proceed to sleep on a drop sheet for most of the day and wake up when Jesse needs my creative input. When Iā€™m not working, Iā€™m usually resting on the couch watching Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Youā€™ve been in the art world for donkey’s years. And a lot of younger pups have come up through the ranks. How do you keep your energy up?

Competition in the art world has always been fierce, ya know. But if I let myself get bogged down in young pup drama I wouldnā€™t still be doing this. I look at all my peers, canine and human, as a community ya know. Creatives all coming together to appreciate the form.

As for what keeps me going, itā€™s simple ā€“ Scratch. Iā€™ve been on the good stuff for 2 and a half years now and my energy has definitely been better. Iā€™m less lethargic and I donā€™t crash in the afternoons anymore.

Youā€™re known for your sensitivity. Have you always been a sensitive new age guy?

Yeah, Iā€™d say so. Iā€™m sensitive of heart, mind and stomach. What can I say? I know what I like and it isnā€™t a lot.

Iā€™ve always been a picky eater. Iā€™m very distrustful of food and like to eat slowly and take my time. Iā€™ve also had pretty sensitive skin in the past. On Scratch, my dermatitis doesnā€™t flare up anymore. Easily the best food for me. And Iā€™ve legit tried them all.

Whatā€™s your biggest pet peeve?

I hate being watched while I eat. Makes my fur crawl. Jesse knows now to leave the room when Iā€™m
eating my Scratch.

Youā€™ve mentioned your human, Jesse a bit. How did you come into each otherā€™s lives?

Ahh, Jesseā€™s a legend and all-round top bloke. He adopted me back when I was just two and a half. Ah man, this would have been, say, 7 years ago now. He just wandered into the rescue centre I was at and we hit it off right away. He took me with him that arvo and weā€™ve never looked back.

Last question: who would play you in a movie?

Clint Eastwood. Easy.

Kangaroo

Ace tucks into our Kangaroo recipe

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