South Paws Dog Grooming

09/29/2025

After four days on life support, fighting with every bit of strength he had, I had to make the hardest decision of my life and say goodbye to Roscoe. He never stopped fighting, right until the very end. I feel so grateful and honoured to have shared my life with such a beautiful soul, an angel and true friend. Bringing Roscoe into my life was the best decision I ever made, and I will forever cherish the memories we created together. Although I lost Coco, I have never been faced with putting a dog to sleep before, though I know my mum and many close friends have. It is one of the most painful experiences and I feel a deep connection to everyone who has gone through the loss of a beloved pet. Although it was so hard, having him was one of the most beautiful parts of life, to love so deeply and to be loved in return.

Thank you all for the love and support you’ve shown Roscoe over the years. It has been so special to witness and feel.

He died on Sunday evening, 28th September in my arms.

09/29/2025

Isn't being wrong the absolute best?

Huh?

Well in this case- being wrong has never felt so good ❤️.

Dexter arrived into our care a few weeks ago via shelter transfer with a diagnosis attached. Cough due to heart failure. Dexter, we were told also was in need of a dental, up to date vetting as well as the removal of bladder stones. He was also severely overweight (like double the size he should be)- And due to heart failure- could not have surgery at all. Prognosis grim & euthanasia recommended.

Taking that as a correct diagnosis, I placed him into our I'm already home program for palliative dogs and we decided to let him do this thing.

This program, rescues those special dogs who have a yucky diagnosis but whom still have great quality of life. It allows them to live out their days in a home, carrying out bucket list items, and soaking in lots of love.

Everyone deserves to spend their last days with somewhere to belong.

But something began happening while in foster care. The once very quiet & do not much of anything at all Dexter, began to change. He traded lounging & for running, sleeping for exploring. He sure didn't seem like a sick dog to me.

And the thing that had me most curious- the heart meds he was on- they didn't make a difference at all.

There's a reason why we do such detailed medical care around here. There's a reason why we access top notch testing & specialized care with our senior dogs.

Fast forward to Dexter's heart ultrasound (there was a long wait for this)- and his heart failure- it's not that at all.

In fact, his heart- it's completely normal other than some very minimal changes we'd see in any older dog.

ZERO SIGNS OF HEART FAILURE ❤️.

And that cough- he needs to lose a lot of weight.

Time to pivot- and help Dexter find his way.

Vetting updated ✅️
Off of meds ✅️
Continued weight loss ✅️
More xrays to make sure nothing missed ✅️
Urinary diet to dissolve stones (surgery date booked as a back up if they don't) ✅️
Dental surgery date booked ✅️

Moving from our palliative program to our ADOPTABLE dogs program ✅️

Being wrong never felt so good ❤️

New days and years of adventures are now ahead for Dexter. Because of rescue. Because of looking at things differently. Because of believing in "what ifs".

09/27/2025

😬

09/25/2025

September 25, 2025 - Meet Cooper. He's a lovable 3 year old Labradoodle. He's good with other dogs, and people. He's a tall boy, size of a standard poodle. He's been vet checked, vaccinated and booked for neuter and then will be ready to find a home. Please call the shelter at 519-372-1911 for an appointment to meet this nice boy.

Learn more about adopting a dog at https://www.grey-bruceanimalshelter.com/adopt.html.

09/23/2025

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

Buddie- 11 years- male- 9 pounds (on a weight loss journey)

Snuggles AND adventures oh my! This little fellow is the total package and he's ready to head into the best of his retirement years with YOU!

-LOVES his walks
-extra snuggly
-loves affection of any sort-
-house trained
-sleeps through this night in his little dog bed
-great to stay alone while you work
-apartment friendly
-a quiet fellow
-knows "sit"
-cats unknown but no prey drive
-up for an adventure or just chill at home
-fine in the car
-Buddie is great to play with other dogs- on leash he will bark at them

Medical: A healthy dog. Neutered and a dental done September 2025. He has no teeth left but still loves his food lots. Buddie does have a heart murmur, did well under anesthetic, and is not currently on any medications.

To welcome Buddie into your home, applications can be found on our website (applications in the comments below). Buddie is currently being fostered in London ON and is $500.00 to adopt.

More pics can be found below too!

09/23/2025

09/22/2025

🍋 Meet Mikayla! At just 10 years old, she set up not one but four lemonade stands to raise funds for the Oncology Unit at Brightshores Health System

With a smile as bright as the sunshine and a heart as full as her lemonade pitcher, Mikayla poured her love for helping others into every cup. Her efforts raised an incredible $700, and while we were taking these photos to share her story, a passerby was so moved that they added another $10, bringing her total to $710!

Mikayla, you are proof that kindness is as refreshing as lemonade on a hot day sweet, uplifting, and best when shared. 💛

Way to go, Mikayla. You’ve shown us all that even the smallest acts can make the biggest difference.

09/21/2025

Dogs with deadlines.

All across Canada right now, really amazing dogs sit in shelters with euthanasia deadlines. Much is sadly due to overcrowding because there simply is no space left for dogs to go. Our Canadian dogs continue to be in crisis.

Sadly, our senior dogs are often the first to recieve that deadline. Age and medical needs to be addressed, often deem these dogs unadoptable by set shelter standards in this Country.

Each and every single day, rescues & shelters work hard behind the scenes advocating for these "unadoptable" dogs.

We are so grateful for our shelter partnerships & those particular staff members that fight so hard to find rescue for these dogs.

Because one thing's for sure- thanks to each of you, we have a knack for turning unadoptable into cherished forever friend with just a little fixing up ❤️.

A lot can happen in a single hour.

When we said YES to Rosie, she was set to be euthanized that same morning. I had watched her profile for a bit, & couldn't understand why no one jumped on board. She's so lovely.

Super sweet, social, loves to play, house trained, great with people & other animals.

So when a message came through saying- she's officially run out of time. Can you please help- the answer was of course yes ❤️. Thank you One Last Chance Rescue for making sure we knew she was still in need.

A single hour can change the course of a life. And thanks to rescue, Rosie's future now looks bright.

Thank you to Freedom Drivers for helping her into our care. Her fosters report she's an absolute doll.

Rosie does have a suspected diagnosis of asymptomatic cushings (testing to be done) and she sure could use a dental & a groom, but otherwise, she's a gal who loves to run and play and is as social as they come.

Another lesson here- please, please, please make sure you have a plan set in place for your pets should you pass away or become too ill to provide care. Rosie ended up in shelter & it almost took her life because no plan was put into place.

Better days exist because of foster care & a rescue community with a little belief that second chances are always the very best kind.

Welcome to Happy's Place Rosie ❤️.

09/16/2025

09/16/2025