Beautiful Joe

This website is about me and my story. It’s also about the author, (Margaret) Marshall Saunders who made me so famous; and my friends at the Beautiful Joe Heritage Society who have worked to revitalize my timeless story and develop my special park in my hometown of Meaford, Ontario in Canada.

Beautiful Joe

This website is about me and my story. It’s also about the author, (Margaret) Marshall Saunders who made me so famous; and my friends at the Beautiful Joe Heritage Society who have worked to revitalize my timeless story and develop my special park in my hometown of Meaford, Ontario in Canada.

“My story is one of renewed happiness and trust and is a testament to the positive outcomes of the kind and humane treatment of animals.”

My story begins in 1891. I had a rough start in life as I was terribly abused by my original owner. In a fit of rage one day, he cut off my ears and my tail – but thankfully, I was rescued by a kind local family (the Moore’s) that nursed me back to health. I knew no further suffering while in their loving care. My story is one of renewed happiness and trust and is a testament to the positive outcomes of the kind and humane treatment of animals.

My new home was on a large property beside the Bighead River in Meaford. I loved my backyard. Who knew that many years later it would become such a special place to celebrate the animal-human bond!

– Beautiful Joe

Visit My Park

Beautiful Joe
Historical Society

Thank you to my friends at the Beautiful Joe Heritage Society who keep my story alive and who made my backyard into the unique place that celebrates the animal-human bond.

Beautiful Joe Park

Beautiful Joe Park is a peaceful and serene 8.5 acres of parkland on the banks of the picturesque Bighead River in Meaford, Ontario. The Park is named after me, “Beautiful Joe”.

The Books

Buy the Books

The Author

How did the Beautiful Joe story become so famous you ask? I met a very kind woman from Milton, Nova Scotia who had come to Meaford by train and was visiting my rescuers. Her name was Margaret Marshall Saunders.

Support The Society

We are a volunteer-run organization and all projects have been funded, supported and made possible by folks just like you! How can you help the Society? There are a number of ways!