Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Bask in the Sun

Firstly, thank you to everyone who attended and/or donated auction items to the Orphans of the Storm® Benefit Dinner last Monday! If you haven’t checked out the great pictures from the event on the Facebook page, you definitely should! I was so thrilled to find out that Billy and his new family spoke at the event!

Here are some dogs who will be benefiting from all the money raised:

Poochie is a cute Labrador Retriever mix whose previous owner had to give him away due to being in the Navy. Cheer Poochie up by giving him a new home and a new family to love! This four-year-old was so excited to come outside with me, jumping up and down when he saw me approaching with the leash.

Poochie sniffing the fresh spring air

Poochie, like almost all of the dogs I’ve taken out the last few weeks, was very interested in eating the grass in the run. Maybe fresh, springtime grass tastes especially good. I don’t think dogs should eat much of it, though, so I put the leash back on and took Poochie for a walk around the property, where he became more interested in sniffing and less interested in eating.

Poochie eating the grass

On the website, he’s listed as Spider–but he has since been renamed Poochie, and that is the name you will find on his kennel when you visit him the shelter. Spiders are not particularly cute and cuddly–but Poochie sure is!

Poochie being attentive

Eever is a beautiful four-year-old Hound mix who was also ready to go outside and enjoy the sunshine. He’s a little smaller than Rocco, and he’s a little skinny, but don’t let that fool you. He’s a strong boy! A dog like Eever would probably make a great running companion. Or, if you’re not a runner, at least make sure this guy gets a chance to stretch his long legs.

Eever ready to go on our walk

After we hurried around the property in excitement, I sat down on one of the many benches and had Eever settle down next to me. He seemed like he wanted to hop up onto the bench too, but it wasn’t quite big enough for the both of us. So, instead, he put his front paws up on my shoulders and let me scratch his neck.

Eever looking handsome

Eever both looks and sounds like the hound dog he is. There’s just something so lovable about that baying sound and the way hounds look right at you with those big brown eyes. Give Eever the chance to meet you–you might find yourself looking at your new best friend!

Look at Eever's happy face!

Roxie is a five-year-old Australian Cattle Dog mix. My pictures probably don’t do her justice, but she is such a pretty dog! She has that unique blue color that you don’t see on most dogs, and a totally sweet face with those little folded ears.

Roxie enjoying the sun

She is a great leash-walker, sticking right by my side or just a little bit ahead of me, and didn’t pull at all after she had gotten her chance to run around off-leash. When we were inside the run, she brought me a tennis ball and left it at my feet. I threw it, and she chased after it and brought it back to my feet again. Cattle dogs are known for being especially smart and active.

Roxie's sweet face

There is something about certain dogs that just lets you know they are a good dog. I’m not sure what it was about Roxie, but I loved her. She wasn’t overly affectionate or trying to climb into my lap (though she did stick her nose in my face and leave a little wet mark on my cheek), but she seemed happy and cheerful and will be a great companion to whichever lucky person (or family) adopts her.

Roxie exploring on our walk

I also took Mouse and Coco out for a walk again, since they wanted to enjoy the sunshine too! They were as friendly as last time, trying to hop into my lap when I got down to their level. If you’re looking for a Chihuahua companion, definitely give these two a chance!

Orphans of the Storm® Has Dogs Big and Small

I have another batch of Beagles for you today! Last week there were kennelmates Chloe and Boomer (and Boomer got adopted–hurray!). This week I took out another pair of kennelmates: Whoopi and Mack. Since they’ve become close friends from sharing a kennel, I took the two of them out together.

Whoopi exploring the run

Whoopi is a 10-year-old–but you wouldn’t guess her age from her personality! This little girl still has lots of energy. When I came to take them out, Whoopi was jumping up and down with excitement. Once I had both of them on leashes, she was off and running (or trying to run–Mack wasn’t quite as fast).

Whoopi running after the dog next to us

Mack was a little more reserved. He was more interested in chewing the leash than wearing it, but we eventually worked it out. He has such an adorable face!

Mack sniffing the grass

Mack took a while to warm up to me, but after he saw Whoopi come over and get some petting, he decided it was safe to come over.

Mack's precious face

They both can be playful! There was another dog in the run next to ours, and Mack and Whoopi were both excited to run up and down the fence line with the other dog.

Mack ready to play

Both of them also put their Beagle noses to good use. They were scampering around the run, sniffing enthusiastically. If you’re looking for a Beagle friend, you should definitely take a look at these two cuties!

Whoopi being a good Beagle

If you’ve always wanted a pony but didn’t have room for a stable in your backyard, Kopa might be the perfect alternative. I am pretty confident that he is part horse. Kopa the seven-year-old German Shepherd mix is the biggest dog I have ever met in my life–but even so, he’s not intimidating at all! When you come up to greet him at his kennel, you can tell right away how gentle he is.

Kopa, the tailless German Shepherd

Since he’s a big boy, he’s pretty slow-moving and a pleasure to walk. We ambled over to the off-leash run and he meandered around, sniffing and nibbling grass. When I came up to pet him, he stood still and put his nose up to mine. He is a big softy, both in terms of his fur and his personality.

Kopa ambling over to get a pat

Coco the Chihuahua was out on a walk when Kopa and I were in the run. Coco apparently suffers from “small dog syndrome” and thought it would be a good idea to pick a fight with Kopa. She came up to the fence where he was watching her and started barking. If dogs could laugh, I’m sure Kopa would have been. Since he couldn’t, he just looked at her with his head tilted to the side. Coco is about the size of Kopa’s nose.

Kopa's sweet face

Don’t judge this sweetheart by his size. He is the definition of a gentle giant and would be so happy to have a family to love!

Kopa the extremely gentle giant

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Who Can (Almost) Fit in Your Lap

Before I start talking about the dogs I met this week (and I’m very excited to introduce you to them!), I want to give a quick reminder about Orphans of the Storm®’s 12th annual Benefit Dinner, happening Monday, April 23 at 5:30 p.m. It’s just a week away, so make sure you reserve your spot ASAP!

Today was my first ever interaction with a Miniature Pinscher, and I can see that I’ve been missing out! What a great little dog six-year-old DooDah is! With a name like that, you know he has to be fun. He was incredibly excited to come outside with me and scampered around the run, sniffing everything.

DooDah being playful

After a couple minutes, DooDah realized that I was squatting down and came running over, putting his front paws on my legs and jumping up to get close to my face. He is ready to happily receive your love and attention, and will love you back just as much. His little legs and little face are just too cute!

DooDah's attractive profile

This guy will be a great watchdog. He was very attentive to what was happening on the other side of the fence and was eager to tell me all about it. He hopped onto the bench next to me, enjoyed being pet for a little while, and then launched himself back off the bench to continue his explorations. DooDah will make a lovable and fun addition to any home!

DooDah being a good watchdog

Are you a Beagle lover? If so, you’re in luck! Orphans of the Storm® currently has a bundle of Beagles looking for their new homes! I only visited with two of them today, but check out the website for a full listing of all the Beagles (and all the other adoptable dogs!).

Chloe the five-year-old is a happy little dog. Her tail was wagging the entire time we were together. She put that Beagle nose to good use and spent much of her time sniffing the run, investigating who else had been outside before her.

Chloe using her Beagle nose

It’s hard to not fall in love with an adorable Beagle face like hers. Even though the gray fur on her face makes her look a little older, you know she still has lots of energy and lots of affection to give her new family.

Chloe knew to pose for the camera

Chloe also came to learn that she could at least partially climb into my lap, and liked being scratched on the side of her neck. Take Chloe out to one of the off-leash runs and see if she’s the perfect fit for you!

Chloe following a scent

Boomer the six-year-old is slightly larger than Chloe, and is her current kennelmate. He was a little more playful, though I don’t know if Beagles are known for being good fetchers–they like using their noses more.

Boomer on the scent trail

My copy of Simon and Schuster’s Guide to Dogs says that Beagles have a “harmonious voice,” which is true for Boomer. He doesn’t have a booming bark at all! He has that wonderful, low Beagle voice and was using it in an attempt to get the attention of the dogs and humans in the run next to ours. And, I’ll note, he was successful.

Boomer between barks

This sweetheart was eager to stand next to me and get a nice back rub and scratch on the ears. Although he might be a little big for the average lap, that won’t stop him from trying to get nice and close to you. Come meet Boomer–I bet you won’t be able to resist those lovable eyes.

Boomer's happy face

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs You Don’t Want to “Pass over”

Happy holiday weekend! If you’re looking for an extra-special something to fill your Easter basket with, look no further than the dogs at Orphans of the Storm® (even though the Chihuahuas are probably the only ones who would be able to fit in a basket)! There are some dogs who have been “passed over” far too many times since they first arrived at the shelter. All three of the ones below will need to be the only dogs in their home, but there’s nothing wrong with that! They deserve to get your undivided attention after spending all that time at the shelter.

Lex the seven-year-old Rottweiler mix doesn’t understand why he’s been at the shelter since 2006. Some of his good qualities include having an adorable face, loving to play, walking well on a leash, and being housebroken. Those sound like pretty desirable qualities to me! Lex is strong, which is what a Rottweiler is supposed to be, and can pull on the leash when he first gets let out. That shouldn’t be held against him, though. If you give him a chance to run off some energy, he’s a great walking companion. And if he finally has a home to wander around in and explore, he won’t have so much pent-up energy when he first gets outside. On your next visit to Orphans of the Storm®, stop by Lex’s kennel and see for yourself what a sweetheart he is.

Lex's adorable face

Molly the three-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix is such a happy dog–and would be even happier in a new home with a new family! She is also a great walking companion, and a great companion overall. Molly has lots of love to give, as shown by her desire to cover your face in slobbery doggy kisses and climb into your lap. Wouldn’t you love to see that silly face every day? Being greeted by her wagging tail always puts a smile on my face when I pass by her kennel. Let her bring a smile to your life, too!

Molly is waiting for you!

Chewy, as you may remember, is a personal favorite of mine. If you have enough room in your house for one giant, eight-year-old black Lab, Chewy would be thrilled! After spending so much time in his kennel, any size home will seem like a mansion to him. This dog may seem too big to handle when you first see him, but after you take him outside you will see how calm and gentle he is. He is an absolute joy to walk on a leash, sticking right to your side like a good Lab. He loves to sit right next to you, rest his head in your lap, and let you scratch his ears. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, older dogs have a lot of great attributes. Take Chewy for a walk and let him show you all of his wonderful traits!

Chewy is ready for his "furever" home