Testimonials
Our work requires us to travel out of the country, sometimes for extended periods of time. At first, this caused me great concern as we have 2 small dogs. The idea of putting them in a kennel broke my heart. Leaving them in a cage for 9 weeks was something we would not do. They’re happy little dogs who require cuddles and kisses and like to sleep under covers and we could not leave them where they would surely be unhappy. We checked out many places where they do not leave the dogs in cages but found out that none of them were willing to take small dogs as they did not separate the big dogs from the small dogs and could not provide a safe environment for them.
Finally while searching on the internet we came across Happy Tails, it sounded too good to be true and I’m a firm believer of “if something sounds too good to be true, it usually isn’t true” so I made the phone call and Lisa and I were on the phone for close to ½ hour talking about the facility and our dogs. Just from talking to her I felt glad because I knew she truly loved animals and we hoped our dogs would like Happy Tails. Our girls spent 9 weeks at Happy Tails this summer. Throughout our absence, Lisa kept in touch with us by emails and pictures. Although we missed them we knew they were at a great place and they were being loved and who can ask for any more. Since this summer, the girls have been back to Happy Tails a few more times, for short and sometimes longer visits. Each time we go there, they run to the door before us and wait for us to let them in. Sometimes they don’t even look back at us before they leave us. When we left them in the winter we called to make sure they weren’t cold in their room and Lisa told us not to worry as they were on her couch under the covers!!
We love Happy Tails and appreciate Lisa for the great work she does and for the love she gives each and every dog. By providing a safe, secure and loving environment for the dogs, she gives us the ability to travel without worry and that means the world to us.
Arzu & Walter Wakulowsky
My dog Bronte has been a regular at Happy Tails both for daycare and overnight stays for the past 6 years. He started out as a sedentary, overweight, young dog and has become a lively, fit senior. As a town dog, it has been a wonderful opportunity for him to run, swim and play with other dogs, rather than to be restricted to a kennel and the occasional walk. The experience is more authentic dog. I believe that Happy Tails not only improved the quality of his life but has helped extend his life. The staff has alerted us to some health issues that we might not have noticed.
Bronte loves going and is disappointed if car rides don’t end there. I fell no qualms or worries about leaving him there for a week or more because he is happy and well taken care of. Everyone enjoys their holiday! I am an elementary school teacher so my dog is a very regular visitor. I am impressed with the rapport Lisa has with her furry clientele. I am very happy with and reassured by the consistent level of care given to my beloved pet, both physical and emotional. Happy Tails is truly his home away from home!
Jane Gow-Thoms
Thank you so much for your gracious hospitality to our energetic Buddy. We appreciate your care and efficiency and your obvious enjoyment of our pet. Using your facility for the first time we had some anxiety, but your enthusiasm set our minds at ease.
Buddy obviously enjoys himself with the wonderful large area to run and the comfort within. Whether we are off for a weekend or an extended period, we are assured that he is well cared for and appreciated for the character he is.
Enid & Don Powell, Port Carling
“Our dog Rosie is a high energy three year old Border Collie/German Shepherd cross who absolutely loves to go and stay at Happy Tails. She’s been staying there regularly since she was a puppy enjoying day care. She always gets very excited and can’t wait to get through the door when we arrive. There is no doubt in my mind that she is cared for in a loving and knowledgeable way while she is there.”
Lorna Walkling
We picked up Crosbie from his first stay with you this weekend and Ian and I wanted to thank you for taking such great care of Crosbie!! Over the years, Crosbie has been kenneled a number of times but never has he been so relaxed and happy away from us. We were thrilled to see that all of your staff were very knowledgeable and have a genuine affinity for dogs. We can't express how much of a relief it is to leave our Crosbie with people who are as committed to Crosbie's well being and happiness as we are.
Thank you so much!
Ian Busch and Shannon Loader
“Parker is a 9 month old Bernese Mountain Dog/Black Lab cross who has the time of his life at Happy Tails. He’s made many new dog-friends and loves to play with them. The concept of having lots of space to run and “be a dog” is perfect for a big boy like Parker. It’s wonderful to know that he’s safe and happy when we leave him there.”
Lorna Walkling
Our story begins 6 months ago when myself along with my husband decided to adopt a dog from the SPCA. When we found Cargo, an 11 month old, Husky/Shepard cross, we knew he had to be ours. After all, the poor pup had been tossed around 2 animal shelters and had 2 families reject him. We knew he deserved a loving forever home and we were willing to give that to him.Shortly after bringing him home we discovered a major separation anxiety and confinement issue with Cargo. He could not be crate trained nor left alone for more than 5 minutes without having a panic attack. We learned that this is common among shelter dogs, especially ones that have been in kennels for too long a period of time. Luckily for my husband and I, we own our own businesses and I have a relatively flexible schedule that allows me to spend much time rehabilitating Cargo. There are times when I just cannot be with him all day so I went in search of a doggy daycare. After trying a few in the area and realizing they only offer kennels or confined areas for the dogs, we quickly realized they weren't going to help Cargo. Happy Tails is the only doggy daycare that allows the dogs to run freely, sleep together in one room, and not feel confined in the least. I was fortunate enough to get the grand tour one day recently when Happy Tails had an open house. Lisa, who has become a very good friend over the last 6 months, showed me the grounds and exactly where Cargo spends his days. I was in awe over this place! It is heaven on earth for dogs! There is no wonder why Cargo begs and pleads to go there! He even jumped right out of the car window and bolted for the front door when we arrived in the Happy Tails parking lot one day!
Having a large breed dog, it was nice to see the segregated areas for small dogs, older dogs and large dogs to play and run freely without a worry. Happy Tails is clean, maintained, and certainly Cargo's second home without question. My husband and I can drop Cargo off any day during business hours and go about our lives without worry.
Happy Tails has helped us tremendously on the road to rehabilitation with Cargo! Without a place like Happy Tails to help us, we wouldn't have been able to keep him.
Erin Monett & Brad Trott, Huntsville
My name is John and this is my "kid" Relic. I became associated with Happy Tails Pet Resort over three years ago, shortly after getting Relic at the Huntsville Animal Shelter. Having never had a dog growing up because of allergies in the family I quickly realized that I needed some help and contacted Lisa about obedience classes. After talking with Lisa we enrolled, and soon it became obvious that I needed to learn as much as Relic. The six week program was excellent and started a fantastic association with Happy Tails. As a Hydro employee in Huntsville there are often long periods where I don't get to be at home and sometimes get sent out of town (as far away as Florida) and each time Lisa has been great at accomodating my sometimes hectic and erratic schedule. Early this spring I had the opportunity for the vacation of a lifetime (5 weeks in Europe and North Africa) and even though all my family and friends wanted my "kid" so their kids could see what it would be like to have a dog, I didn't think twice about taking him to Lisa, knowing that a familliar spot that he loves to go to would make the seperation easier on him. It's easy to see how much Relic enjoys going to Happy Tails because he gets so excited as we pull in the driveway it almosts makes me feel guilty taking him there (almost).
We cannot say the words "Happy Tails" in our house. If we do Jessie will run to the door and wait, quivering with excitement, trying to look like a good dog, waiting and ready to go.
Knowing that she loves the place has made a big difference in our lives. We can leave her there without the guilt we had when we knew we were leaving her for days in a cage or in a small concrete run. She's a dog who needs to run but because she tends to run too far and for too long, she is hardly ever off leash in our care. What a help it has been to be able to leave her running free at Happy Tails - with a pond to swim in too, if she gets too hot!
Before Happy Tails became a regular part of our lives, Jessie generally regarded other dogs as competition, to be nipped into shape as soon as possible. Now, having been somewhat calmed down by the exercise she gets at Happy Tails and by lots of exposure to other dogs, she's learned that they can be played with. It amazes us to see her racing around the property with the other dogs.
Thank-you Happy Tails.
From the Guthries - Rod and Sue and Jessie
I've had dogs all my life and always hated taking them to a kennel because they hated being there. I started taking my dogs to Lisa when she first opened Happy Tails in the spring of 1996. My dogs loved it. For a number of years before I stepped back into retirement I took my dogs to Day Care while I worked. I go away a fair amount and they always go to Happy Tails. I don't worry about them because I know they are having a great time and are being well looked after. It is never a fight to get them in the car. As soon as I open the door they can't get in quick enough thinking they are off for some more doggy fun at Happy Tails. They spend their days hunting chipmunks in the woods, and frogs in the ponds, and sleep in front of a fireplace in the dog lounge. When I pick them up to come home Katy (my golden retriever) has to every time take one last dip in the pond before she comes in to go home. She knows what makes an animal happy and is very contentious about their well-being.
Dianne Jones, Huntsville
Hi, my name is Juno. I am an energetic Samoyed puppy. When my owners asked for references for good kennels and Happy Tails came hightly recommended by my owners friends. I couldn't agree more. Lisa is a kind & gentle lady whose love of animals is very apparent. When I stay here I enjoy lots of open fields and wonderful woodlands all fenced in where I can run free and have lots of socialization with the fellow puppy campers. My owners love Happy Tails because they can travel with piece of mind knowing I am in good hands and well cared for.
Signed Juno, puppy of Dr. Ken & Allison Hotson, Bracebridge.
Bruce is our 12 year old Belgian Shepherd who has been staying at Happy Tails for the past 9 years whenever we have to travel without him. When he arrives at Happy Tails and Lisa opens the door to the yard, he runs off without even so much as a glance back to say goodbye. He loves the outdoors and we like that he’s able to run around the huge fenced-in wooded area on the property. The fact that he’s not stuck in a concrete kennel waiting for someone to walk him is what attracted us to Happy Tails in the first place. Lisa always takes excellent care of Bruce and we aren’t the least bit hesitant to leave him in her care. If it weren’t for her, we would have a difficult time leaving Bruce behind. Happy Tails is truly his home away from home.
Bill and Robin McCurrach
Hi Lisa,
I hope you got a chance to drink the second coffee I brought up for you! LOL! I just wanted to say thanks for the playdate with my two poodles, Coco and Mocha today, they were absolutely crashed on the way back to Oakville they were really wiped out from all the fun they had at your dog resort. I heard that you found them quite affectionate and I'm glad that they had that reaction to you as they are just as affectionate with all of us also. I can tell from the way your own personal dogs are so well balanced that you do indeed have a "way' with dogs and it shows.
We look forward to coming to see you again on the 13th of August of this year for the 3 nights, four days of our latest Deerhurst trip. I can see us having the TLC from you and your staff for many years to come with our two poodles, and we will also be purchasing that $1500.00 package with you sometime this year also.
Kind Regards,
Gord and Sandra Brennan
Hi again Lisa! I just wanted to let you know how very relieved and happy we
are to have found you to look after Molly. I was very worried about leaving a new dog so soon and we had even decided not to get a dog until next spring because of this. But your place is just wonderful and it makes me happy to think of Molly there. Because she is still a puppy and very active this is perfect and also it is important to me that she gets socialization with other dogs as living at the cottage doesn't give her much of that. So thank you for being there!
Louise Jennings
