Testimonials & Gallery

Furzey & Thor

Hi Helen, just wanted to let you know how well the weekend went. The boys had a fantastic time and are not terribly pleased to be taken away  from their new best friend – the Happy Hounds host. She went above and beyond the call of duty- Thor even slept on her bed. They were also returned with their beds, toys and towels washed. Which really wasn’t necessary but very kind. We would have no hesitation in using your host in the future.

Thank you also Helen for setting up Happy Hounds and enabling us to go away safe in the knowledge that our precious dogs are safe and happy. You worked very hard to ensure that both they and us were with the right host . We are old worriers when it comes to the boys so thanks for all your efforts to ‘get things right’. Once again we would have no hesitation in recommending Happy Hounds to anyone.                              

 Many many thanks,

May 2022

Helen’s comments

Initially these owners were very concerned as the selected host has their own dog and was also looking after another dog… but after a few walks in the woods together to make sure all the dogs got on and the host could manage 4, all worked out well.

Ted

We were let down badly by our regular boarding kennels. We had never used Happy Hounds before but within 3 hours of calling them, we had our dog settled in with a host & we were able to carry on with our plans.

Fantastic service & we will certainly be using again – Thank you!

February 2022

Helen’s comments

I received a phone call from David he was due to drop his dog at the kennels and it was closed !! They were going away for a birthday weekend.  Luckily I was able to react quickly and one of my many lovely hosts was available for them.  All went well and Ted was given lots of cuddles and reassurance.. he soon felt at home .

Molly

My host did a fantastic job caring for Molly. Slightly surprised to be honest to have to pay for half a day given I was less than an hour late picking Molly up

Helen’s comments

As per my terms of business any dog collected by 10.00am then there is no charge and no payment to the host. Similar to a hotel, so late check out come’s with a surcharge in which I can pay the host for their time and also for walking the dog. Normally, any collection after 10.00am comes into another full board charge, so I was in fact doing a gesture of good will.

Huxley

A belated thank you for sorting us out last Saturday. Huxley had a wonderful day and was well looked after by the Happy Hounds Host and her husband. He also got on brilliantly with their dog.

Helen’s comments

Little Huxley was just looked after for the day and had a great time.  

Snapps

I just wanted to say another huge thank you for sorting out a home for Snapps to stay in during our Camp Bestival visit this year. The Host was, as you described, absolutely wonderful and he came back to us thoroughly spoiled, content and a happy hound!

 Hoping to book again with you for next year once we’ve confirmed tickets.

 Huge thanks for a first class service –

Helen’s comments

I bit of a late request 2 days to go prior to Camp Bestival, but luckily as Snapps is small and a bit older than the other dogs I did have an older lady available who adores little dogs. So all worked out well.

Woody

Just a quick note to say everything went smoothly. Woody came back happy.

 Thanks again, it’s a great idea and business you have going 🙂

 July  2021

Helen’s comments

Some dogs I am not able to meet before their booking as the owners do not live in the area. But by completing the lengthy dog registration form I am able to make the perfect match for both dog and owner and host. So every one is HAPPY .

Pilot

Very happy with how things went and thanks for all your help.

Best,

Pete

July  2021

Helen’s comments

Having received a phone call the owner had a family emergency and needed his dog looking after for an uncertain length of time. Pilot stayed with local hosts for around 2 weeks, and we were able to give the owner regular doggy up dates and pictures. The hosts totally loved him and he settled in very quickly.

Some hosts even let your dog on their bed!

Selkie

Thanks so much for stepping in at the last minute to find a place for Selkie to stay. We had also found sitters who were cheaper and closer to us, but we found your service reassuringly thorough in making sure Selkie had a stay that was safe and comfortable for her. The whole thing went seamlessly and it seemed Selkie had a great time too with the Happy Hounds Hosts.

Helena – 5 August 2021

Helen’s comments

On 23rd July 2021 I received an email request for a booking the next day. I do not cover the Bridport area, but found the nearest host for them in the Dorchester area.

I just wanted to say a massive thank you for arranging for a Happy Hounds Host to dog sit for me so I could attend my step daughters wedding.

The service I received  was second to none. With no one around the durdle door area to to do dog sitting i was lucky enough to find a host of Happy Hounds and would recommend your services again in a heart beat.

A beautiful day saved by you & thank you for an amazing service i will be back x

Kind regards

Anna – 14 July 2021

Rey

We have a lovable but challenging Welsh Terrier and so we needed carers who understood her needs and give us the reassurance when leaving her.

Happy Hounds took the time and detail to really understand Rey and selected one of the Happy Hounds hosts to look after her.

Rey really enjoyed her time with the host and you could tell she had been well looked after, that peace of mind is so important.

I would recommend Happy Hounds without reservation, your pooch is in safe and caring hands.

Rey will be back with the host at Easter for more fun and we can go away without any worries.

A totally professional dog boarding service where your dog is always put first.

Lester & Lorraine

Thank you so much for arranging her two night sleep over – Everything worked like clockwork.

On the second day of our stay as we drove back to her host, Betty started to whimper with excitement as we approached the house! We walked up the path and she was straining on the lead. She just couldn’t wait to say hello to the host! I took her off the lead, she had a drink of water and then just disappeared into the sitting room. She clearly was a very happy and relaxed dog.

Please thank the host for being so kind to Betty and so accommodating with our plans. I have already recommended Happy Hounds to a friend who is planning to stay at the Pig next year!

Thank you again.

Liz

Jess

My elderly parents were both taken into hospital in Dorchester. As I live in Scotland I needed to find a place for their much loved dog, Jess, to be looked after. At that point we had no idea how long Jess would need to be cared for, nor did we know whether she would be able to go back to my parents.

Jess is 10 years old and had never been in kennels, so I wanted to try for home boarding before having to use kennels. The hospital social workr advised us of the Cinnamon Trust and they advised us of Happy Hounds, who they had used successfully before in such a situation.

I contacted Helen at Happy Hounds and found her to be warm, calming and very helpful. She arranged a home boarding place for Jess in Winfrith Newburgh and my husband and I took Jess there that evening.

On arrival at the host home, Jess very obviously felt immediately at home. The host couple were lovely with her, very relaxed and welcoming. Jess spent a few weeks there and she was well cared for and very happy. Throughout the process Helen maintained contact and we knew how Jess was getting on.

Sadly, my mother was diagnosed as having a terminal illness and Jess was not able to return home. Helen helped us in rehoming Jess, arranging meetings and phone calls between the host couple and prospective new owners. Jess has now been rehomed and is happy and content.  The help we were given by Helen and the hosts went above and beyond and I am hugely grateful to them for helping us at such a difficult time.

To summarise, Happy Hounds is a very professional organisation and I have no hesitation in recommending their services.

“First time away from home .. nervous dogs” Jess & Mia

I just wanted to say a very big thank you for all the work you did with arranging Jessie and Mia’s holiday with the host.

I was probably as nervous as they were as they had never been left with anyone before. The emails from yourself with the photos of them both relaxing in the sunshine was so reassuring.

When we picked up the girls from the host yesterday it was really lovely to hear all about their holiday. Especially when the host was telling us how the girls were very loving towards him and how he got to see their personalities.

You did a lot of work for us finding the right holiday home for the girls and we really appreciate it.

Blind Tilly

Hi Helen, Clive and I would both like to say a very big thank you to you for the fantastic service Happy Hounds provided to us. We were worried about leaving our little dog as she is blind. We were recommended to you by a work colleague. The service we have had has been amazing and the Host family were so caring to our little dog we would definitely use Happy Hounds again. Many Thanks to you Helen.

With only 3 legs she was still able to run fast – Chloe

Helen worked closely with us to find the perfect location and experienced and caring dog owner for Chloe while we were on holiday. I think she had at least as good a time as we did! Thank you to you both.

Lots of exercise – Little Ruby

Thank you for organising Ruby’s sleepover.

I’d highly recommend Happy Hounds to anyone looking for a host to look after their dog. It was our first time looking for a host, we were due to go to a wedding whilst on holiday in Swanage and so we approached Helen at Happy Hounds. She was quick to reply and very friendly and soon enough she’d given us 2 options of who would be available on the dates we’d requested. As it was our first time leaving Ruby with someone we didn’t know Helen had spoken with the host and agreed a meet beforehand. The host was lovely and Ruby took to her straight away. It put our minds at rest and Ruby had a fab time going on walks,runs and bike rides (she’s a very active dog!). Thank you so much for making it simple and stress free. We’d definitely use Happy Hounds again!

Thanks Helen

Hannah

Sandy

The Happy Hounds hosts were wonderful and loving to Sandy, will definitely be using Happy Hounds again.

House Sitting – Ben

Just to say that we found the house to be lovely and tidy. Ben seems very well and is walking easily.

Thank you so much for looking after everything so well for us. It is very much appreciated and really good to come back and see Ben on such good form.

All best wishes – we are very glad to have found you.

Debbie

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