The Remembered
While we celebrate every single adoption, there are some that we will forever remember due to their circumstances.
Koda
Koda was surrender by his first family due to housing issues. He has spent 440 days at the happy little rescue and in that time was adopted and returned twice. We knew that Koda's forever home would be one that would not come easy as he was a large dog with some big needs. Although we thought that the day would never come, Koda was seen by a family and they knew that he was the dog for them. We have nothing but happiness and hope that this will be his last home.
Bobbi
Bobbi was transferred from Mesa county shelter due to overcrowding. She was clearly very stressed out by being at the shelter and we decided to take her and 8 other dogs. Once at the Happy Little Rescue, Bobbi began to flourish and became less stressed. However she still had no one showing interest in her for 8 months straight. Despite being the best dog and loving car rides she was a little leash reactive. This made many people shy away from her. But her luck finally changed and she was adopted by a lovely family and even has some dog siblings now.
"Bobbi is the most fun well-behaved, fun-loving, sweet girl we've ever had the pleasure of including in our family. She is very cuddly and sweet and she's always very curious. She loves trying new things and can't resist a car ride"
Constance
Constance was transferred to the Happy little rescue all the way from New Mexico. She was with us for 587 days. Constance was a little bit dog selective and a rottweiler so many people shied away from her due to her breed. But little did all those people know that once you got to know her she was the best dog ever. Constance stayed very optimistic that she would meet her people one day and she was right!
"Constance is so wonderful, she is full of energy and just a big ball of joy. She lovessss going on walks, early in the morning or later in the evening she is always up for one. She loves hanging out around the house or she's always up for a big adventure. She has such a big personality!"
Clifford
Clifford was an owner surrender back in 2020, during Covid. He spent a total of 963 days with us with zero applications. He was our longest resident due to being dog selective and due to his bully breed. He was adopted by a couple who was willing to work with him, and through this discovered that he does in fact like other dogs.
" He was my best friend and I truly did not deserve him. Even though our time was cut extremely short he made those 9 months we had together the absolute best! He was loyal, loving, and made our family complete. We miss him so much everyday and I can't thank him enough for showing me a type of love I didn't know I could have. Before he passed I told him this isn't goodbye but that I'll see him later and I truly can't wait to be reunited with him one day."
Clifford's new name is Koda and he passed away in March due to Cancer but he lived out his life full of love and happy.
Journey
Journey was transferred from Underdog, a rescue out of Utah. He was with us for 716 days with no application for him in that entire time. Journey never lost hope and finally found his forever home. He goes camping and hiking with his family and even frequents patios with his mom and her friends.
Journey, now called Buddy, Family says "Buddy has been a really good dog for us, fitting into our family very well. We do a lot of hiking and he loves it, gets along really well with our other dog, he even listens better than our other dog. He's a winner!!
Nocci
Nocci was an transfer from Texas and was with us for 285 days and in that time was adopted and returned twice before finding her forever home.
Nocci's family says, " Part of why she fit right into the pack is truly because she is as close to perfect as you can get. She loves people. Kids. Dogs. Can sit perfectly polite at any brewery or restaurant. She falls asleep in the car. She loves to give me sass while kissing up to her dad (typical daddy’s girl). Door Dash deliveries make her butt wiggle and her smile wider. She’s adored by her vet and techs (like really adored to the point of her picture being on their wall). Dog related businesses have used her picture to promote their product(s). And when she barks, she sounds like a Star Wars character which makes it nearly impossible to tell her to stop while laughing so hard.
Rocky
Rocky was an owner surrender and was with us for 320 days. Rocky was full of energy and for a little dog, is sometimes a turn off to adopters.
"We are really happy together. I just love this little guy so much. But he still has some off days, due to the brain damage from the trauma and neglect that he endured. But it's OK because I'm the kind of person that can work with it. I have trained him and he's not afraid and there's even times where I can walk him without the leash and he stays right next to me. Even the worst dog, the one with the most trauma, the one that's been beat, kicked and starved, can still be the most loving companion ever. In the right home these dogs will just flourish."
Gateway Pups
The Gateway dogs came from Gateway, CO and were discovered to be in a hoarder situation. This also caused them to be terrified of human interaction. We took these dogs back in November of 2023 and took in 14 dogs. While were still working on 2 of the dogs, all other 12 are happy and thriving in their homes.
Scone's Family says "Scone has become fairly comfortable around other people and god, but he's happiest with just his parents. He enjoys to take walks and really enjoys hikes on the mesa. His favorite weather is cool and windy. He's just learning how to have fun running around and chasing a ball. We wouldn't trade Sconie for anything!"
Eeyore
Eeyore holds a special place in a lot of our hearts. He was found in the desert, emaciated and severely sunburnt, to the point that his paw pads were practically burnt off. Eeyore soon became a delight to be around and loved to carry toys in his mouth. Once he regained his strength he was adopted by an employee's family.
Blitzen
Blitzen came to us as a transfer and was with us for 303 days. Blitzen was hit by a car and suffered a broken leg. Luckily he did not need to have his leg amputated. He was adopted by a volunteer and been in his forever home ever since.
" I'm so happy that I got the opportunity to connect and bond with him through Happy Little Rescue, as well as know he was being well taken care of while navigating bringing him home. He is the most happy and energetic boy and I'm so grateful to the shelter who gave him the second chance and veterinary care that he needed"
Matches
Matches was also a transfer from underdog and was adopted and returned twice before finding her forever home. She was with us for 456 days due to her being extremely energetic and premature puppy nature.
"Matches is such an amazing dog, the life of the house, and has one of the biggest personalities me and my boyfriend have ever seen in a dog, we got her and I think even she knew she was the perfect "match"! She was a first very shy but within a short matter of time, she went from going into out kitchen to sleep in the floor, to now sharing the bed with us every night! She is VERY vocal about everything and will tell you about it, her smile lights up a whole room and we're very glad we have our fur baby and honestly don't know what we would do without her! She has come a long way and is very smart and so very well behaved."
Arthur
Arthur came to us as one of the shyest dogs we have ever had. He was almost a sanctuary dog, which would mean he would be ours for the rest of his life. However, an amazing foster stepped up to foster him and he flourished. They eventually foster failed and his foster has since fostered many of our shy dogs, without foster failing.
"Arthur was our first foster from Happy Little Rescue and had been at the rescue for about a year and half. He was adopted and returned twice and at rick of becoming a sanctuary dog. After months of coaching and building trust, he has finally shown his full personality. He loves rides in the truck, singing the song of his people each night, getting belly rubs, and his daily walks and zoomie play sessions with his sisters.
Prancer
Prancer was a transfer as well as her 9 other siblings right around Christmas time, hence her name. Prancer and her siblings were dropped off at our rescue and had already contracted parvo. 8 of her siblings passed away due to parvo but prancer and her last remaining sibling fought it off and are both in their forever homes. Prancer was a foster fail through our very own rescue employee Stephanie and her partner.
" Prancer is a goofy, lanky, lovable mutt who loves to carry her babies (stuffed toys) around the house, especially when she is excited. She has some reactivity to new people and dogs, but is getting better with training every day. She loves her big sister, Mollie (also a rescue), and is the defender of the house. We wouldn't trade her for anything."
Mars
Mars was transferred to us back in 2022, and was terrified of people. He was fostered by an amazing family and later adopted by the perfect family.
" He is a miracle dog. When I brought him home they said he likes to hid so I got 6 beds for him. He would not look at me but now he follows me around. He actually escaped from our house due to a house sitter and was missing for 16 day. He has been going at his own pace to go for walks and outside. He was chasing a grasshopper the other day and it really showed that he has been learning how to actually be a dog. He has learned to cuddle. If you have the time and the patience for these dogs, it is the most rewarding thing I have ever experienced. He is learning that he doesn't have to be afraid and that he should be able to play and explore just like every other dog gets to experience. He wants to be in the same room as me, constantly.
Mars's new name is Ephraim,
Ephraim the Brave
Titan
Titan was one of the most serve cases of neglect we have ever seen. He was found tied to a tree with a metal cord, so tight that it had imbedded so deep into his skin. Despite this, he was one of the sweetest dog ever even when he had every right to hate humans. He had a long healing road to go down, but he was adopted by an amazing family who have done a lot for us in only a short amount of time.
" He is the boy we never knew we needed and has filled our home with an eagerness to learn new things with unconditional love, even after the abuse he endured. He is a goofy, big headed boy that is always ready for adventure, and brings out so much happiness within our family and anyone who meets him. We're thankful that he will always be a part of our family."
Titan's new name is Odin
Maddie
Maddie was a transfer from Texas and was with us 742 days and was adopted once and returned with in that time. Maddie was a ball full of energy and sunshine but she was a little bit mouthy. She would get so excited that she would want to share excitement and would place her mouth on you, this freaked a lot of people out. However, her lucky changed and someone decided to give her a chance and she has ever since been living in a town that gets so much snow that she gets to run around in.
Captain
Captain was with us for a little over a year and was transferred from Texas where he had lived a majority of his life. This caused captain to not be the best indoor dog as he suffered with accidents inside the house. This made many people shy away from him as they don't want to potty train an adult dog. However, a family came for him one day and where determined to teach him everything he needed to be the best indoor dogs.
" Captain has been the perfect addition to our family! He's enjoyed hiking and mountain biking with us and is turning into quite the trial dog. He loves camping and lounging under any patio table for a lazy afternoon, and the occasional table snack. He recently discovered his love for water, as he enjoys cooling off in the river. The perfect companion for this busy active family."
Aloe
Aloe was a transfer and spent a little over a year in our care. Aloe was diagnosed with heart worm which is a diagnosis that many people do not want to take on. Luckily for Aloe someone was willing to take a chance on her. A volunteer would purposefully come just to take Aloe on walks and once she was able to secure housing she adopted her. Aloe's mom now works for the Happy Little Rescue and Aloe gets to frequently come to daycare and say hi to all of her friends.
"Aloe is the perfect fit because people think I rescued her but she also rescued me. She's my other half and I cannot see life without her. She is crazy and goofy just like me and she keeps me on my toes by still challenging me to become better! She's the most spoiled girl ever but she deserves it. My favorite thing about her is her zoomies that she gets all the time. She loves to lick lotion off and when she hears the bottle open, she will stop and come to lick the lotion. She is everything and more and I am so lucky to have her as my best friend."
Leo
Leo was also a transfer but since he was a puppy, he was adopted pretty fast. However, after he was adopted, the vet had discovered that he was heartworm positive. This would have caused many people to surrender him back to us. But his new family decided to stick by him and he has been loving life ever since.
" We adopted Leo at 5 months old. He is 2 now and full of love and snuggles. Unconditional love and kind of goofy. Love him"
Scout
Scout was adopted from us as a puppy pretty quickly, this is not why scout means so much to the Happy Little Rescue. Scout was adopted by the most wonderful parents we could have ever asked for. Eric and Kellen do so much for the rescue whether that is donating, fostering the shy dogs that need it and making bags for volunteers when they take a dog. We could not be where we are today without them. Scout also has a brother named Farley, these two boys help bring out the best in all the other dogs that they interact with which helps them learn how to play and be social.
Peanut
Peanut was transferred to us back in November of 2023. Peanut was a little bit on the shyer side of dogs which caused him to be a little weary of new people. Peanut was out on an adventure and backed out of his harness and ran onto a busy highway. He was hit by a car and left on the side of the road, luckily a bystander called it in and we were able to get peanut to the vet as quick as we could. Peanut unfortunately had to have his leg amputated and had a long journey to be healed. His became quite popular as his story came out but still no one wanted to adopted him due to his deformity. His luck did change and he was adopted in to a loving family where he has a brother to play around with all day
" He has been such a happy addition to our family. He and his brother Atticus are inseparable now! The love wrestling, hiking, fetching, and cuddling together. He even runs faster than Atticus now!. He has grown so beautifully in the few months that we've had him, and we look forward to a long, happy life with him."
Peanut's new name is Obi
Adopt A Happy Little Rescue
Meet and Greets with our adoptable dogs are available by appointment Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 3 PM