Having shepherded several businesses in my life, I’ve learned a few things germane to your situation too.
1. What you set out to do will evolve, will not be 100% the initial vision. To be successful, be open to evolving as changing times and situations call for it. You’re doing that!
2. You cannot be atop everything, a one person show with support staff. It’s too much mentally and physically for anyone. Establish divisions and find qualified people with shared mission and with expertise to execute each. You could hand the endless paperwork off, for example.
3. Vital that you funnel your energy to the areas of this endeavor that bring you maximum joy and prevent burn out.
What you’re doing is phenomenal. We want you to grow this charity and succeed beyond your imagining, or ours! Actually, you’ve already succeeded beyond our imagining. And we want you to do so in the most healthy way. ❤️
Niall surely knows this. When you put all your passion to a project, it’s not so easy to find people to whom you can hand off key aspects, trusting them to be as intent as you are.
Your post is excellent and I agree that it's hard to find people you trust to think exactly as you do, but it would be very helpful if he could look into it. Just hiring a CFO (Chief Financial Officer) might be the relief he needs.
I never cease to be amazed at your resourcefulness, tenacity, drive and self awareness. And willingness to show all sides of yourself. Reading your updates, I feel for you. And for the team, but I suspect it’s you bearing the brunt on things. I hope that the team that you’re establishing will allow you soon to step back a bit and focus more on what you enjoy doing, what gives you energy and makes you feel well. Thank you for the updates and very best wishes to all dogs and humans involved in Happy Doggo - it’s a cause that gives me joy to support.
I'm in awe of you and your team. The setbacks, frustrations and sheer complexity of the undertaking are enormous. All I can say is thank you and there are so many people willing you all on.
What you’ve accomplished in such a short time is nothing short of extraordinary. Truly, no one else on this planet could have pulled it off the way you have.
But you can’t ignore what your body has been trying to tell you. All these signs and signals—it’s your body speaking loud and clear, asking you to slow down just a little and focus on your health.
The promise you made to Tina? You’re making it real, and so fast it’s almost unbelievable. But remember: you’ll only be able to keep going, to build and grow, if you take care of your whole self—**mind, body, and soul**. All three need to be in good shape so you can keep doing what you were clearly meant to do.
Get more help—whether it’s accountants, bookkeepers, or extra hands to support the million things going on at the facility. Delegating will give you more time to enjoy what you love most: being with your doggy friends. And of course, keep dreaming and planning ahead—that’s just who you are.
Please don’t let negative comments or nitpicking get to you. Whether it’s someone saying you’re carrying a dog the “wrong” way or questioning your approach—**ignore it**. I saw some of the comments on YouTube, and honestly, you know better. You’re doing it right.
We love you for what you’re doing. The world needs more people like you. Just… please take care of yourself too.
What you have been doing and are doing is a mammoth task. I am in awe. A lot of responsibility, I am not surprised you are looking back thinking how easy it was. But now you have prevented the birth of so so many street dogs who would have been miserable for lots of them, you have saved so many dogs who would be dead now if you had not been there. So look back and say : yeeeesss I did it !!
Don't forget to delegate tasks to give you time to cuddle dogs and hug them.
Go and hug Pedro now and Birdie for a few minutes and tell them they are so cute....this is your homework for today ! Take care of yourself and take a deep breath. You are doing all the right decisions ! Love to you.
Your revisions in the hospital plans seem very wise and what is best for the dogs. It was very shrewd to start with the field hospital. I wish you had more help with the business end so you could feel free to keep doing the things you love most. Your content is so moving and I love that you understand that letting your audience form bonds with individual dogs keeps us coming back and supporting. Some dog rescuers on social media make it more about themselves than the dogs. Thank you for sharing the dogs and always being honest. Much appreciated.
Happy Doggo is a young organization and I have followed Happy Doggo from the beginning. The best and amazing part is Happy Doggo focused on sterilization from the beginning. No matter how many dogs are rescued or treated, without sterilization, street dog issue will never resolve. You are on the right path and you have inspired me to sponsor sterilization. I have sponsored 50 dogs so far in 2025 for sterilization in Nepal. I would have never known its importance without Happy Doggo.
Be kind to yourself - you are an amazing human and you are changing the word at great cost to yourself. All of us out here in the ether draw strength from your commitment to sharing your personal struggle addiction and depression. Your commitment to doing good in the world by helping street dogs is a lesson to us all. Thank you to you and all of your team. Big love 💜🙏
I really wanted to put in a note here on the whole "getting help with the bigger structure" part, and hope it comes across ok.
I saw you mention recently about the challenges and supporting the team, as well as yourself.
There has been a huge amount recently with Big T, Kerry, Lady... and then the other losses, all be they happy ones, of dogs getting adopted and leaving the Land... Matilda, Britney, and Panda soon too. That's also a sort of loss for yourself and the team, even if their forever homes are a wonderful achievement. They are being missed by all. Then of course there's the daily grind of seeing so much illness and suffering.
I know you talk about helping the dogs being your own kind of therapy, but now, as it's all expanding, it is a lot to try and support the whole team too. That is a huge amount to navigate.
If you can, at all, in the midst of everything else (!!), I hope you can consider engaging some kind of therapist (stick with me!), perhaps with specific experience in animal rescue, that you can create an ongoing support/working relationship with. Someone who can work with you to help you support the team through all the highs and lows, because that is a lot to deal with, and can take a lot of personal toll.
This really is a part of "getting help with the bigger structure", playing the long game, building resilience, and ensuring that the team (including you!) remains strong, and healthy, and able to do a job that is so physically and emotionally demanding for you all.
I vote for a therapist for Niall too, I just wonder if he would take the time? I think he does talk to his collegues who really get him though, and his posts help too. Xoxo
I mean more in the way of a support person that would help him to support the team, and work with the weight of that. A contact person to help with how to manage and navigate all that while also working to keep yourself healthy and well.
Like the way that a lot of professions have to have supervision with a therapist to enable them to do their work and process what comes up, and how to manage more peoples' stuff in combination with ones own.
Take care of yourself, Niall. You are so valuable. Do what makes you happy and let others do the rest. Tina is smiling down at you, still grateful for the love you gave her. What a difference you have made. Big love to you and the team. 🐾❤️
You are amazing and you are making a difference. A lot of us can only dream of having the impact you do. Please, never stop, these beautiful dogs need you so much.
I work for a charity that provides funding for other charities, and have experience in providing funding for capital projects for charities - new builds, refurbs, extensions etc. All of them, without any exception, overrun in terms of timing because these are difficult to get right, and it takes several iterations to factor in the different variables, most of which are out of your control. So don’t worry that you’ve had to go back to the drawing board, or that it’s taking longer than expected - these are natural and inevitable parts of the process of getting it right. Don’t beat yourself up- you’re taking the time to get it right, so that you end up with a hospital that is the best fit for what’s needed. ❤️❤️
We know you can do it - I hope the future for you includes funding enough to hire a full-time fundraiser (or fundraising team!) and social media/content managers to ensure your legacy will live on, the charity will be sustainable and you can be freed up to spend time with the dogs as Chief Doggo Officer.
You think it’s taking a long time Niall but honestly it’s breathtaking what you’ve achieved since you landed on the Island . The interaction with the local people will be far reaching , long lasting and word of mouth is spreading far and wide . I’m not sure other than a few clones of yourself how the workload can be decreased so you can have a breather . Earth seems to be becoming your right hand man , you do need some help with the mission as your mind and body need looking after . Big Love back at ya ❤️
Having shepherded several businesses in my life, I’ve learned a few things germane to your situation too.
1. What you set out to do will evolve, will not be 100% the initial vision. To be successful, be open to evolving as changing times and situations call for it. You’re doing that!
2. You cannot be atop everything, a one person show with support staff. It’s too much mentally and physically for anyone. Establish divisions and find qualified people with shared mission and with expertise to execute each. You could hand the endless paperwork off, for example.
3. Vital that you funnel your energy to the areas of this endeavor that bring you maximum joy and prevent burn out.
What you’re doing is phenomenal. We want you to grow this charity and succeed beyond your imagining, or ours! Actually, you’ve already succeeded beyond our imagining. And we want you to do so in the most healthy way. ❤️
This is such a helpful post! I hope Niall gets around to reading it. 🙏🏻
Niall surely knows this. When you put all your passion to a project, it’s not so easy to find people to whom you can hand off key aspects, trusting them to be as intent as you are.
But it’s necessary.
Your post is excellent and I agree that it's hard to find people you trust to think exactly as you do, but it would be very helpful if he could look into it. Just hiring a CFO (Chief Financial Officer) might be the relief he needs.
I was thinking the same thing.
Really great advice!
I whole heartedly agree 🥰
I never cease to be amazed at your resourcefulness, tenacity, drive and self awareness. And willingness to show all sides of yourself. Reading your updates, I feel for you. And for the team, but I suspect it’s you bearing the brunt on things. I hope that the team that you’re establishing will allow you soon to step back a bit and focus more on what you enjoy doing, what gives you energy and makes you feel well. Thank you for the updates and very best wishes to all dogs and humans involved in Happy Doggo - it’s a cause that gives me joy to support.
Such a beautiful comment. I could not agree more. ❤️❤️
I'm in awe of you and your team. The setbacks, frustrations and sheer complexity of the undertaking are enormous. All I can say is thank you and there are so many people willing you all on.
Dear Niall,
What you’ve accomplished in such a short time is nothing short of extraordinary. Truly, no one else on this planet could have pulled it off the way you have.
But you can’t ignore what your body has been trying to tell you. All these signs and signals—it’s your body speaking loud and clear, asking you to slow down just a little and focus on your health.
The promise you made to Tina? You’re making it real, and so fast it’s almost unbelievable. But remember: you’ll only be able to keep going, to build and grow, if you take care of your whole self—**mind, body, and soul**. All three need to be in good shape so you can keep doing what you were clearly meant to do.
Get more help—whether it’s accountants, bookkeepers, or extra hands to support the million things going on at the facility. Delegating will give you more time to enjoy what you love most: being with your doggy friends. And of course, keep dreaming and planning ahead—that’s just who you are.
Please don’t let negative comments or nitpicking get to you. Whether it’s someone saying you’re carrying a dog the “wrong” way or questioning your approach—**ignore it**. I saw some of the comments on YouTube, and honestly, you know better. You’re doing it right.
We love you for what you’re doing. The world needs more people like you. Just… please take care of yourself too.
With admiration and gratitude,
Marta.
So true, Marta! I really wish I was on a plane to Koh Samui and could help!
Me too!!! I am just waiting for him to organize an open volunteer program and I'll be there~!
What you have been doing and are doing is a mammoth task. I am in awe. A lot of responsibility, I am not surprised you are looking back thinking how easy it was. But now you have prevented the birth of so so many street dogs who would have been miserable for lots of them, you have saved so many dogs who would be dead now if you had not been there. So look back and say : yeeeesss I did it !!
Don't forget to delegate tasks to give you time to cuddle dogs and hug them.
Go and hug Pedro now and Birdie for a few minutes and tell them they are so cute....this is your homework for today ! Take care of yourself and take a deep breath. You are doing all the right decisions ! Love to you.
Your revisions in the hospital plans seem very wise and what is best for the dogs. It was very shrewd to start with the field hospital. I wish you had more help with the business end so you could feel free to keep doing the things you love most. Your content is so moving and I love that you understand that letting your audience form bonds with individual dogs keeps us coming back and supporting. Some dog rescuers on social media make it more about themselves than the dogs. Thank you for sharing the dogs and always being honest. Much appreciated.
Happy Doggo is a young organization and I have followed Happy Doggo from the beginning. The best and amazing part is Happy Doggo focused on sterilization from the beginning. No matter how many dogs are rescued or treated, without sterilization, street dog issue will never resolve. You are on the right path and you have inspired me to sponsor sterilization. I have sponsored 50 dogs so far in 2025 for sterilization in Nepal. I would have never known its importance without Happy Doggo.
Be kind to yourself - you are an amazing human and you are changing the word at great cost to yourself. All of us out here in the ether draw strength from your commitment to sharing your personal struggle addiction and depression. Your commitment to doing good in the world by helping street dogs is a lesson to us all. Thank you to you and all of your team. Big love 💜🙏
Hi Niall,
I really wanted to put in a note here on the whole "getting help with the bigger structure" part, and hope it comes across ok.
I saw you mention recently about the challenges and supporting the team, as well as yourself.
There has been a huge amount recently with Big T, Kerry, Lady... and then the other losses, all be they happy ones, of dogs getting adopted and leaving the Land... Matilda, Britney, and Panda soon too. That's also a sort of loss for yourself and the team, even if their forever homes are a wonderful achievement. They are being missed by all. Then of course there's the daily grind of seeing so much illness and suffering.
I know you talk about helping the dogs being your own kind of therapy, but now, as it's all expanding, it is a lot to try and support the whole team too. That is a huge amount to navigate.
If you can, at all, in the midst of everything else (!!), I hope you can consider engaging some kind of therapist (stick with me!), perhaps with specific experience in animal rescue, that you can create an ongoing support/working relationship with. Someone who can work with you to help you support the team through all the highs and lows, because that is a lot to deal with, and can take a lot of personal toll.
This really is a part of "getting help with the bigger structure", playing the long game, building resilience, and ensuring that the team (including you!) remains strong, and healthy, and able to do a job that is so physically and emotionally demanding for you all.
Big love to you from Kildare.
Claire. XX
I vote for a therapist for Niall too, I just wonder if he would take the time? I think he does talk to his collegues who really get him though, and his posts help too. Xoxo
I mean more in the way of a support person that would help him to support the team, and work with the weight of that. A contact person to help with how to manage and navigate all that while also working to keep yourself healthy and well.
Like the way that a lot of professions have to have supervision with a therapist to enable them to do their work and process what comes up, and how to manage more peoples' stuff in combination with ones own.
Thank you for all that you are doing! Deep respect for you (all)
Take care of yourself, Niall. You are so valuable. Do what makes you happy and let others do the rest. Tina is smiling down at you, still grateful for the love you gave her. What a difference you have made. Big love to you and the team. 🐾❤️
You are amazing and you are making a difference. A lot of us can only dream of having the impact you do. Please, never stop, these beautiful dogs need you so much.
I work for a charity that provides funding for other charities, and have experience in providing funding for capital projects for charities - new builds, refurbs, extensions etc. All of them, without any exception, overrun in terms of timing because these are difficult to get right, and it takes several iterations to factor in the different variables, most of which are out of your control. So don’t worry that you’ve had to go back to the drawing board, or that it’s taking longer than expected - these are natural and inevitable parts of the process of getting it right. Don’t beat yourself up- you’re taking the time to get it right, so that you end up with a hospital that is the best fit for what’s needed. ❤️❤️
We know you can do it - I hope the future for you includes funding enough to hire a full-time fundraiser (or fundraising team!) and social media/content managers to ensure your legacy will live on, the charity will be sustainable and you can be freed up to spend time with the dogs as Chief Doggo Officer.
You think it’s taking a long time Niall but honestly it’s breathtaking what you’ve achieved since you landed on the Island . The interaction with the local people will be far reaching , long lasting and word of mouth is spreading far and wide . I’m not sure other than a few clones of yourself how the workload can be decreased so you can have a breather . Earth seems to be becoming your right hand man , you do need some help with the mission as your mind and body need looking after . Big Love back at ya ❤️
Keep up the great work. We appreciate you being real with us! ✌🏻🫶🏻