Happy's Place- Retirement Home for Dogs

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Strathroy, ON
Happy's Place- Retirement Home for Dogs

A 100% non-profit organization. In home based senior dog rescue for dogs. Building relationships betw https://linktr.ee/happysplace

07/12/2025

Sometimes we get there too late...

Earlier, with the help of Freedom Drivers, we welcomed the majestic Magento into our care. The most friendly hound. She wore that Freedom ride well. And she deserved it more than you'll ever know. Because that ride- it was her first bit of true freedom ever. In 14 years.

The story of Magento is one that I think will haunt my own memory forever. It created distrust for me. Great sadness for me. And
Her past- it's one I'll replay in my mind forever. I've tried to find the right words for a bit now. I still don't think I have them.

Just know that terrible people exist. And that the laws out there- they are ridiculous & flimsy at best.

So I've decided this instead- I'm not letting the one and only story I share about this beautiful soul be about her past.

During her short stay in care with us, Magento enjoyed treats and belly rubs, snuggles & unconditional love.

The final chapter of her story, thanks to rescue & each of you who support it- it was full of cozy blankets, comfy sofas and room to explore.

It was filled with belonging & space to just be.

Magento arrived to us as a palliative dog. Lung cancer means running out of time way too fast.

Thank you to Humane World For Animals for trusting us with her care, her foster home for welcoming her in, & to the Strathroy Animal Clinic for helping us too.

In honour of Magento- I'll ask the following favour please. Do something today that makes you feel happy & free. Listen to a feel good tune, breathe in a big breath in the middle of an open field, appreciate small things that make you feel joy. Find your own freedom today ❤️.

Run like the wind Magento 🌈, you are so very loved.

07/11/2025

Did you know there are many ways to help raise funds for Happy's Place? 🐾

One super simple method is to recycle your empties and donate the proceeds to us via e-transfer! 💵🖥️ Not only is it good for the environment 🌎, but it's even better for senior dogs because you're helping to make sure we have the funds needed to support them throughout their time with us.

More details (and signage you can use to brag about your generosity) can be found via the link in the comments! 👇

07/11/2025

Molly- 14 years- female- 13 pounds

The sweetest little gal who's an expert at snuggles, naps, and snacks!

-very affectionate
-expert level napper
-a great house guest- currently living in a busy household
-great with other dogs
-great with children
-enjoys exploring
-uses a p*e pad inside and will also p*e outside (she may have the odd accident if not brought outside and no pad available)
-enjoys little leashed walks
-likes to run around the yard
-travels well in the car
-good to stay home (but is afraid of a crate)
-sleeps in bed with her people overnight
-Medical- a healthy girl. Spayed. Dental done July 2025. Molly does have age related vision and hearing loss (she still does see and hear) and gets around just fine (check out the videos in the comments)

To welcome wee Miss Molly into your life, applications and a link to our bio can be found in the comments below. Molly is currently being fostered in London ON and is $500.00 to adopt.

(pics and video in comments)

07/11/2025

Buddy- 11 years (acts younger)- male-57 lbs

Looking for your new bestie? Pick Buddy! He's social and gentle and loves belly rubs. Everyone needs a little Buddy in their lives!

-Buddy LOVES affection. He's a fan of belly rubs, pets and snuggles!
-a super duper happy fellow!
-playful and fun
-quiet (apartment friendly if you love the outdoors for walks)
-great to stay alone while you work
-a perfect gentleman in your home
-lives well with other dogs (will not want to play- but hanging out is great)
-travels well in the car
-house trained
-expert level companion!
-has lots of experience with dog savvy children (he can be a bit excited getting treats)
-good mobility- great on the stairs
-loves his leashed walks- Buddy loves the outdoors. He will pull for the first 1/2 block before settling in and is a super star for the rest of his walk. He's excited and happy and this will continue to get better too.
-Good in the tub and for grooming
- In some ways, Buddy is still like a puppy because he LOVES to live his best life
-if you have gardens- Buddy will need to be taught to not go in them unless you don't mind him having a nap there
-Medical: Buddy is a healthy boy. Neutered and dental done July 2025. Buddy has age related vision loss in one eye.

To get your own Buddy, find applications and a link to our website in the comments. Buddy is currently fostered in Kitchener ON and is $500.00 to adopt.

(more pics and video too)

07/11/2025

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

Isha- 10 years- female- 17 pounds

Isha is a wonderful dog! She loves people and all food, is loyal, likes to follow her favourite person around. She has an adorable personality too!

-Always happy!
-good with other dogs
-good with cats
-a chill and laid back personality
-likes to follow you around. Good to stay alone too.
-Sleeps through the night on the floor next to her peoples bed until early in the morning where she wants in the bed to snuggle for a sleep in if you want!
-Great house manners
-house trained & asks to go out
-travels well in the car
-good at the groomer (thank you Passionate about Pooches)
-great mobility, good on the stairs
-great on leash- loves her walks
-young children make her nervous (she just creates distance on her own) but she's good with older children who are not rambunctious. Currently living with an 11 yr old youth.
-She's not a Velcro dog, but is sweet as pie when she wants affection.
-very social!
-Medical- a healthy girl. Spayed. A dental done July 2025.

Isha is currently fostered in London ON. Her adoption fee is $500.00. A link to our website and applications to adopt can be found in the comments. (and more pics too)

07/11/2025

Applications to adopt this dog are currently closed dur to very high volume. Please consider adopting another senior dog instead.

Clara- 6 years- female- 8 pounds

So cute in every way it's hard to tell if she is real or a stuffy!

-Super snuggler! Loves to cuddle
-travels well in the car
-sleeps through the night in bed with her people
-house trained
-At first Clara may be shy but she warms up super fast!
-good with children
-good with cats
-good with other dogs
-good on the stairs
-good on leash and loves her walks
-overall a quiet house guest- can do some barking when left alone so this should be considered with shared walls
-Clara loves her snuggles and cuddles but she is a bit nervous of being picked up at this time. She settles quickly once in your arms.
-Medical: Clara is a healthy girl. Spayed July 2025. She is working at gaining the last 2 pounds she needs to be at her optimal weight. (which would be 10 pounds)

Applications to adopt and a link to adopt can be found in the comments below. Clara is currently being fostered in Mount Brydges ON and is $500.00 to adopt.

(more pics in comments too)

07/10/2025

OMG - Dorchester Pet Fest is coming up FAST and we can't wait! 🤩

Fun for humans AND canines, Pet Fest is a celebration of all things dogs! 🐶 Not only is Happy's Place a beneficiary of this year's event, we'll also be attending! 🎉 We can't wait to take part in the fun and talk to attendees about the joys of senior dog fostering and adoption. 💙

Make sure to keep July 26 and 27 free on your calendars because you simply won't want to miss this! 📆☀️ More details can be found via the link in the comments. 👇

07/10/2025

Yesterday I shared with you all that in the coming together of this wonderful community, Lemon the pug puppy would have his life saved through your generous donations. A little 7 month baby would have the opportunity to live a long life- because of you ❤️.

Your generosity spoke so loudly, that we were able to save another life too. This one, the most deserving pug of 16 years old ❤️

12 days ago, I brought home an actively dying dog. It absolutely crushed me to know that someone out there had "loved" this dog, & then starved them literally to the brink of death before abandoning him discreetly out on his own. (And yes of course I don't know if this was purposely done or by accident or due to someone's own mental health).

Meet Frankenstein ❤️.

Frankenstein has a mark around his neck where a collar once was. He knows all about dog beds & he's completely house trained. His most favorite "known"- people cooking in the kitchen in hopes of a shared between friends snack.

Found with nails so long each embedded into his paw pads & so sick his PCV was 20. (Lower is death). Every bone of his skeleton exposed under hanging skin, so malnourished his body no longer knew what to do with food. Pneumonia so hard core his lungs were drowning in germs & eyes so dry he could barely see. A 9.1 pound full sized pug. (Usually they are around 18-22 ish pounds)

This is neglect to the fullest extent. Right here in Ontario Canada.

Looking at him, & my strong pull towards the love of pugs, I 100% owed it to him to try. For the first time with any of our dogs, I asked if a blood transfusion was possible.

One transfusion, powering on several antibiotics to assist with severe pneumonia & reintroducing food at an incredibly slow rate (to a starving dog who wants to eat a mountain), Frankenstein's transformation began ❤️.

Last Friday, Frankenstein weighed in at 12 pounds and his PCV is 30 (normal is 35). He's got another recheck & meds to continue this Friday too.

He's found strength to walk around *following us everywhere in his own still clumsy way (from being starved all 4 paws are now dropped so he's flat footed), & his most favorite activity- yelling at the top of his lungs to get his next dinner ready 🤣.

Earlier this week- Frankenstein placed a paw on my leg & wagged his tail for the very first time ❤️.

When things seem impossible- find a way to make it happen.

I can't wait to someday meet the slightly chubby version of this very special boy.

Giving up when things seem hard is always the easy thing to do. Believe in what ifs. Believe in possibility. Because good stuff happens there.

Thank you for everything this community does. Because in a world of yucky stuff- together- you're all doing such beautiful things.

Thank you to:
Doris Melber-Lange in honour of Ariana's birthday 🎂
Sarah Pratt
Tracy McCallum
Stacey McClellan
Sandy Scott
Jennifer Campbell
Kimberly Dale
Kyla Penley
Micheal Bugeja
Stacey Lane in memory of Charlie 🌈
Janice Boles
Debra Murphy
Joan Johnson
Ellen McCallum
Elizabeth Laroche
Victoria
Cathie McEvoy
Margot Diotte
Tracy Mclaughlin
Sarah MacKenzie
Birchview Dogs
Rebecca D'Silva
Carol Ann Bacci in memory of Shirley 🌈
Catherine McClure
Wendy Clayton
Tracey Sutton
Alyssa Kotsifas
Renee Perron
Robin Campbell
Kathryn Kelly
Linda Lamont
Jingles & Katie in memory of Ed 🌈
Karina Stoyanoff
Amy Cipriano
Christine Walmsley
Connie Pozzobon
Kelly Mcaulay
Tia Wood
The McKenzie Dogs
Lisa Wood
Chuck & Tina
Jacki Kostuk in memory of Dixie 🌈
Anna of Anna's Wiggle
Helen Aphantitis

Lemon AND Frankenstein. TWO little lives saved. All because of YOU ❤️.

And ps- just check out the bro-hood the two of them have got. Sooooo cute!

Welcome to Happy's Place Frankenstein- it's gonna just keep getting better from here ❤️.

07/09/2025

This is Team Lemon!

True life saving heroes 🙌.

It's official- surgery is all set for July 22nd and we are sooooo excited!

These donations as well as those previously thanked in another Lemon-Licious post, have worked together to save not only his life but we were able to save the life of another pug (this time a super senior) behind the scenes too. Don't worry- you'll be meeting him tomorrow (and will find your name listed in that thank you if you don't yet see it below or in the last Lemon post).

These donations not only include his liver shunt repair but also expensive food & medicine required to make sure he's in tip top shape pre & post surgery. Oh- & since he's 7 months old now- neuters are always cuter!

Kathryn Aires in memory of Zoe 🌈
Jan Kobarda
Joanne Lambert
Deborah Gregus
Julie Silcock
Terry Gianetto
Anonymous
Pamela
Shelley Craig
Kaelyn Ross
Michelle Agathos
Tina Daquano
William Marchildon
Doreen Christensen
Cheryl Holmes
Catherine Clermont
Kerri Kozicki
Holly Lake
Michele Breault
Sally & Lisa's 🎂
Colleen O'Handley
Yvette Simpson
Heidi Evans
Jennifer Sammut
Mary VanHeeren
Pamela Elliott
Kaman Hui
Alison Armstrong
Laura Lambert
Stacey Roques
Cathy St-Onge
Terry Molkoski

Because of you...

🍋 Lemon- once recovered- will be adoptable soon ❤️

07/08/2025

It's only July and this summer has already been a scorcher! 🥵☀️ That's why it's important to remember how the heat affects our furry friends, especially seniors! As the temperature outside rises, so, too, does the risk of heat stroke, so it's important to know what to look for in dogs.

Here are some tips for how to keep your pup safe and cool during the summer:

🐕 Walk in the early morning or late evening, when it's typically cooler.

🏠 Keep your pets at home while running errands, to avoid leaving them in hot vehicles.

💧 Ensure access to fresh, cold water and A/C (if possible). Cooling mats are also an easy way to provide comfort in extreme heat, as are wading pools and/or sprinklers, if you have a backyard!

If you notice signs of heat stroke in your dog or you have any questions/concerns about caring for your furry friend in this heat, please contact your vet. They'll be more than happy to help! 👩‍⚕️💙

07/08/2025

Get ready to do your happy dance! Because after a whopping 5 months spent in foster care to get ready for this day, our Milo has been adopted ❤️.

We could not be any happier for this little old dog and his brand new forever. Good things- they are well worth the wait.

A massive thank you to Milo's foster parents who have gone above and beyond for this lovely fellow. A true testament of commitment and unconditional love.

And thank you as well to East Plains Animal Hospital in Burlington who helped us to transform this boy into becoming his best healthy self (oh my- so many medical appointments).

And thank you to each of you who support this rescue. Thanks to you- next chapters get to begin. The very best chapters ❤️.

Shout outs to Milo's new forever family who welcomed him into their lives with open arms. They didn't even bat an eye over his multiple medical diagnoses because they totally get that all senior doggos deserve to live out their lives with comfort & unconditional love.

They understand it so well that Milo is their SECOND Happy's Place adopted dog. Also featured in this photo- it's Happy's Place alumni Rocky! (And of course he's equally as handsome).

You've got a lot of people cheering you on Milo. Happy adventures Milo. And a very happy adoption day too ❤️.

07/07/2025

Do you want to support Happy's Place? Do you have a bunch of items at home you no longer need? Why not host a charity yard sale, with funds going to support the rescue! 💰🐾

Hosting a sale on behalf of Happy's Place doesn't just ensure we're able to continue funding the rescue of senior dogs - it also helps you de-clutter your home while also connecting with members of your community! We mean, who doesn't love a good yard sale?!?!?! 🤩

More details, including signage you can use to promote the sale, can be found on our website (click the link in the comments)! 👇

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Strathroy, ON

Website

http://www.happysplace.ca/

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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.

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The story of Happy’s Place