Happy's Place- Retirement Home for Dogs

Happy's Place- Retirement Home for Dogs A 100% non-profit organization. In home based senior dog rescue. Building relationships btwn people & old dogs. 🇨🇦 https://linktr.ee/happysplace

12/12/2025

"Mum halp me"

How's that for a glow up wow 😍.Happy's Place community, please meet the adorable Rufus! A special thank you to his foste...
12/12/2025

How's that for a glow up wow 😍.

Happy's Place community, please meet the adorable Rufus! A special thank you to his foster home for treating this cutie to a somewhat urgent groom when he arrived from a Canadian shelter with the most matted fur we've seen in a while. This poor wee dude could barely move and their certainly were no walks to be had.

Let's fast forward post groom and P**f- out came the most handsome little man.

And now? Let's forget walking- Let's do some happy zips and zooming instead!

Rufus is a super healthy boy too- he does need a dental to clean up that 🤢 stinky breath (he's all booked in for December 17) and then he'll be ready for the perfect forever to start out a brand new year.

Special thank you to the Wilson Mobile Veterinary Clinic in London Ontario for their generosity. This clinic recently sent us over an awesome $500.00 donation which will be put straight towards Rufus and his dental care.

Thank you as well to:

The O'Handley family
Gemstone Event Management Inc
Samantha Harrington
Carmela Timpano
Steve & Marny in lieu of gifts for Julspop Dog Walking & Pet Service
Laurel Barker-West
Genevieve Rouleau
Madeleine Mcainsh
Nicole Young
Nancy Hiles
Ann Roy in memory of Chloe Thornicroft
Jennifer Laugher
Brenda Panzer
Marzena Wroblewska
Katy Merucci
Susan Smith
Jennifer Hansen
Verushka Sheffieild-Hille
Teresa Pitura
Patricia Kell for Irene Roth at Christmas
JoAnn Parker

The folks above- that's team Rufus right there!

Welcome to Happy's Place sweet boy!

Okay, Okay- these ears on Miss Moon are soooooo fabulous I thought they required both a front AND a back view 😆 🤣 😂. I s...
12/12/2025

Okay, Okay- these ears on Miss Moon are soooooo fabulous I thought they required both a front AND a back view 😆 🤣 😂.

I seriously love them- well, I love ALL of her ❤️.

Little Moon arrived into our care almost 2 weeks ago now and is not quite a senior at all. In fact, she's only 5. But, she needed a place, we had a place, and well, the rest is history!

Moon is also excited to share that she's been vet checked, had her vetting brought up to date, and she's gotten a totally clean bill of health. Woot woot to that 🙌.

She does need to be spayed though so she'll continue bunking with her foster family until the new year, head into surgery and then will begin the hunt for her best fit forever 😉.

Do we accept applications before a dog is ready to adopt? Nope!

Why not?

Because:

1- we want to get to know them too!

2- we want YOU as the adopter to read their entire bio to be sure Moon (and any of her friends) will be that new right fit bestie YOU've been looking for. It's easy to get caught up in the cuteness of it all, but the right temperament matters too.

We're so glad that we can sometimes bend the rules (thanks to an abundance of amazing fosters), and say YES to helping dogs like Moon too.

Oh- and a big thank you to our friends at One Last Chance for alerting us to her needs and to Freedom Drivers for her most wonderful drive.

Moon's second chance is brought to you by:

Janice Beemer
Douglas Anderton
Suzanne Pountney
Denese Bonner
Ann Pagnin
Kristina Freitas
Mark McLennan
Sabra Johnson
Julianne Lyons
Lindsay Thistle
Morag O'Hanlon
Monika Rhodes
Terrie Demelo
Andrea Davis
Geraldine Zeibert
Sue Laughton
Lisa Lanthier
Amy Lucier
Samantha Xuereb & Oliver
Katherine Hilton
Elizabeth Morrison
Kelly Roloson
Selina Roy-Chowdhury

Welcome to Happy's Place Moon!
(Adoptable January 2026)

Applications to adopt this dog are currently closed. Please consider adopting another senior dog instead. Charli- 10 yea...
12/11/2025

Applications to adopt this dog are currently closed. Please consider adopting another senior dog instead.

Charli- 10 years- female- 58 pounds

The perfect blend of loves to play and then loves to chill? Meet Charli!

-Super friendly and a lovely house guest
-great with children
-snuggly and affectionate
-good to stay alone while you work but also the perfect dog to take with you if you want to too- social and well behaved
-great on leash and loves her walks
-travels well in the car
-settles into new environments well
-loves to run and play (video in comments)
-great with cats
-great with other dogs- loves to play
-house trained
-crate trained (she uses her crate when her fosters go out) Charli is an EXCELLENT house guest- if she got bored alone she may try to get in your garbage- she doesn't do this when you're home- so crate is best for now.
-quiet as a mouse
-great mobility- good on the 5 steps she uses- still a bit afraid of the full flight but will get there with practice.

Medical: a healthy and spayed girl. This litter was born with a very tiny nodule on their spleens- they all have it and there is no cause of concern or any treatment- it is just an incidental finding.

To welcome sweet Charli into your home, applications and a link to our website can be found in the comments below. (video too).

Charli is currently being fostered in London ON and is $500.00 to adopt.

Applications to adopt this dog are currently closed. Please consider adopting another senior dog instead.Trema- 11 years...
12/11/2025

Applications to adopt this dog are currently closed. Please consider adopting another senior dog instead.

Trema- 11 years- female- 14 pounds

From Trema's foster: she is as cute as she looks and is as sweet as apple pie.

-very affectionate and snuggly- lover of belly rubs and giving kisses
-a very easy house guest- great manners
-mobility is great- stairs- yes
-social and meets new people/new environments well
-great in the car
-loves her walks and is great on leash
-loves to run and play outside
-when you're home, likes to follow you around- would do best with someone who isn't gone from home the entire day
-house trained
-good with children who are respectful of dogs- rowdy behaviour would scare her and she would hide
-great with the free range rabbit in the home
-sleeps in bed with her foster mom
-good to be groomed
-great in the car
-can live with other dogs but will not want to play with them

Medical: a healthy girl. Spay, lumps removal AND a dental December 2025.

To welcome Trema into your home, applications and a link to our website can be found in the comments below. Trema is currently being fostered in Etobicoke ON and is $500.00 to adopt.

(more photos in comments)

Puggle fans- meet the lovely Cody 😍. (Yep- you know how I feel about those members of the potato family ❤️)Cody has comp...
12/10/2025

Puggle fans- meet the lovely Cody 😍.

(Yep- you know how I feel about those members of the potato family ❤️)

Cody has completely had a rough go for a while now so I was so pleased when we were asked to give him that second chance he so deserves. (And I know his person would be too- but nope- I do not know who they are)

We'll get Cody back to tip top shape just as soon as we can. With a fresh neuter on board, and one dental coming up next week, he's soon going to be a brand new man (and certainly find it much easier to eat).

Cody had a person who loved him very much & I completely feel they tried their best. It was shared with me that when they became ill, friends & family tried their best as well to continue to care for Cody too.

Wanting what was best for Cody, he was brought to a shelter for help & that's where we came in- to start that next chapter as soon as we could.

Your Giving Tuesday dollars? They are helping Cody to find better health.

Kelly McMillen
Karen Gee
Leslie Lemaich
Tanya Johnson
Ollie, Marian & Don
Andrea Burrows
Maria Pellegrino
Katherine Smyth
Krysten Robertson-Sommerville
Susan Sullivan
Arlie B
Wendy Crough
Lori Dengler
Lindsay Thistle
Melanie Kane
Jody Brown
Karen Twaddle
Patty Murray
Janice Lynch
Kaelyn Ross
Irving Ramirez
Maria Raso
Catherine Voelker
Barbara Mailer
Aradhana Burt
Lynn Loubert

Better days coming straight for you Cody- welcome to Happy's Place ❤️.

No matter how I write this, I'm sure there will be a lot of BIG opinions here.** I am apologizing in advance for being u...
12/10/2025

No matter how I write this, I'm sure there will be a lot of BIG opinions here.

** I am apologizing in advance for being uninformed to how the world of many professional hunting dogs works. It is not something I participate in at all so I'm speaking from a pet parent perspective.

And I do understand that dogs bred for jobs are viewed by many quite differently than other dogs. (Not all)

So my opinion? I truly believe it is an honour & a privilege to love & be loved by a senior dog.

So that's where we come in:

I believe that when a dog has dedicated their entire life to us, no matter the purpose, that when they can no longer do what they used to do, they get a good retirement- no matter what that looks like.

I believe that we snuggle them a little longer, make things a little cozier, and love them a little harder.

Trooper is a Canadian champion 🏆.

Side bar: He HAS been well cared for medically 100%. There was even a shoulder injury nursed right back to health $$$.

But- that same shoulder- it rendered him unable to work, to be the top dog 🏆, & with that- no longer having a home.

Let's fast forward to the good stuff:

Thanks to some amazing folks working behind the scenes, Trooper no longer lives in a kennel. He prefers inside life. A life filled with warm blankets, cozy beds & extra good boy pats. He also likes ear scritches too.

I'm actually really grateful for those who help these dogs onto different paths. A big, big thank you for that ❤️.

This certified awesome dog- he heads to our clinic where one NEUTER will be booked ready set- STAT!

Ps- good with cats, dogs and children too- you betcha! Oh- and he's an expert level napper too.

Welcome to your proper retirement Trooper. Welcome to Happy's Place ❤️.

(Adoptable early 2026)

12/09/2025

What is your favourite snowy weather activity with your senior?! 🐶❄

Recently we celebrated Giving Tuesday where so many of you came together to help us raise over $10,000 in a single day t...
12/09/2025

Recently we celebrated Giving Tuesday where so many of you came together to help us raise over $10,000 in a single day to help out our senior dogs.

Let's start sharing some official thank yous for today, right through the rest of the week- sound good?

You all deserve to be recognized! Because whether your giving comes in the form of monetary donations or supplies, or simply through liking, sharing and commenting on our posts, working together GOOD THINGS HAPPEN.

How many of you remember Millie? At 7 years old, she was released to a vet clinic from a really terrible breeding program. She had no clue how to dog and was terrified of the world.

4 months later, Millie (thanks to her foster home) is a brand new dog. She's now social and just plain old awesome.

I'll say it again- please do not support backyard breeders. Millie, has now had all vetting brought up to date, been spayed and had a dental. She's also had mamary lumps removed, been to two specialists and in January will see a board certified surgeon to remove an internal re**al mass too.

It's been a lot.

So thank you to:

Mona, Tim and staff at Queensline Automotive for their donation of 1500.00.

Brenda Sauve-Mills
Brooke Cailes
The Flynns
Beth Dunbar
Joanne Johnson
Steffanie Delacour
Patricia Roger in memory of Chloe 🌈
Carole Lovell-Whelan
Summer & Jan
Vicki Lewis
Mitchell Labrie
Lucia Al-Zaiatova in memory of Dolar, Mayo & Argo 🌈
Phouphet Sihavong
Shirley Thaiss
Pamela Graham
Kathleen Mansfield
Jacqueline Hunt
Joanne Langley
Martin Miyata
Georgina Neranzi
Susan Williams in memory of Haley 🌈

(Don't see your name yet- more to come so stay tuned)

One more big surgery and hurdle coming up for Millie. Made possible by you.

Millie- adoptable early 2026.

Easiest doggo alert!Little Creton arrived into our care via shelter transfer and a ride from some of our favourite peopl...
12/09/2025

Easiest doggo alert!

Little Creton arrived into our care via shelter transfer and a ride from some of our favourite people over at Freedom Drivers. A shout out to the shelter for helping us out with her dental as well.

She's as cute as can be AND equally as sweet.

Her foster momma- she's already shared that she's pretty much the easiest dog on the planet too.

13 year old Creton heads to our vet clinic shortly for her full head to tail check and we'll finish up any next steps too.

As for being adoption ready? Not quite yet- she's too busy soaking in all the snuggles with her foster momma right now.

Welcome to Happy's Place sweet girl!

Wondering how to support Happy's Place this holiday season? We have a few ideas!💸 Donate Funds 💸Our rescue relies on don...
12/08/2025

Wondering how to support Happy's Place this holiday season? We have a few ideas!

💸 Donate Funds 💸

Our rescue relies on donations to keep running, so a monetary donation is the best way to show your support! We accept e-transfer, PayPal and Stripe, and there's a list of creative ways to raise money for us on our website!

🛍️ Item Donations 🛍️

If you own a pet, you know various supplies are needed to give them the best life possible: food, treats, p**p bags, blankets and beds, etc. We're always in need of more items like this. If you happen to have some on-hand that you'd be willing to donate, please reach out to our team via email.

💙 Join Our Volunteer Team 💙

Happy's Place is run by a dedicated team of volunteers who love what they do. Along with Angela, we help at events, brainstorm fundraising initiatives and run socials. It's a good way to give back to animals who deserve a second chance.

We're always looking for new people to join our team across Ontario! If you'd like to help out in 2026, fill out the form on our website!

💬 Spread the Word 💬

We know not everyone can give or volunteer their time - and that's OK. You can still support Happy's Place this Christmas by simply sharing our mission with those you know! The more people who know about our work, the more overall support we get and the more senior dogs we can help.

These are just a few ways you can help! For more ideas, check out our website: https://happysplace.ca/ways-to-donate/

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Happy's Place team. 🎄We couldn't do what we do without you, and want to thank you for your support this past year. 🐶

We want to extend a massive THANK YOU to Pet Valu Byron and Laurie for hosting a festive photoshoot this week. 🎄❄️ They ...
12/06/2025

We want to extend a massive THANK YOU to Pet Valu Byron and Laurie for hosting a festive photoshoot this week. 🎄❄️

They used the event to raise funds for Happy's Place, raising an incredible total: $544! 💙

Thank you, Laurie, for lending your photog skills, 📷 and thank you to Pet Valu Byron for playing host to the event! 🐾 Your team have always been such big supporters of us, and we hope you know just how much it means to us! 🥹

Happy holidays, everyone! 🐶🎁

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Strathroy, ON

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The story of Happy’s Place

The story of Happy’s Place

Every person seems to have a story of a special dog they once knew. A favourite memory, an adorable head tilt, or the unique way your dog captured your heart forever. Almost five years ago now, we met a little blind senior rescue dog who needed a place to be loved and to live out his golden years for whatever time he had left. And even though he was down on his luck, that little tail never stopped wagging. And so, we named him Happy. Little did we know then, that this little senior would change the course of our entire lives and lead us to where we are today.

Happy showed us how to live life every single day to the fullest. He loved fiercely and let that happy shine so bright that every person who met him fell in love with him. Happy didn’t ever let anything slow him down. Even without his sight he enjoyed walks around town, hiking in the woods, and playing with squeaky toys. He loved dinner time and snuggling with his furry siblings and could always be found on the lap of a close by human. Throughout the year that he spent with us before crossing over the bridge, Happy went to the beach, met new friends, stopped at a bakery, picked out the biggest bone all on his own, let his fur flow in the wind during the best country breeze car rides, and he completely changed our lives. Happy showed us that love wasn’t something you could see, but rather something you felt with your heart. And as a family, we watched him blossom. Happy taught us many lessons, but most importantly, Happy taught us about the value of senior dogs and helped us to invent our second chance motto to always “find your happy”.

Happy’s legacy continues to live on through the other seniors we have loved throughout the last 5 years. Eddie, Pippin, Ruthie, Gladys, Fonzie, Clooney, Ernie, Lily, Fez, Stewart, Shirley, Wyler, Addy, McGregor, Frankie, Elvis, Matilda, and Pheobe, and in each of the beautiful senior dogs that we haven’t even met yet. Happy’s legacy will live on because of each person who also believes in the amazing love of a senior dog.