Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Wag Their Way into Your Heart

There were lots of dogs to meet at Orphans of the Storm® this week, and they’re all ready and waiting to find their new forever home!

Granny the nine-year-old Coonhound mix is probably one of the sweetest, gentlest dogs I’ve met at Orphans of the Storm®. Since she’s an older lady, she’s not too interested in running around. Instead, she prefers to go on casual strolls that allow her to put her Hound nose to good use. Granny makes for an easy-going walking companion because of this.

Granny Coonhound mix 1

Granny’s big brown eyes

Granny is also a very sweet girl. She may not cover you in doggy kisses (at least not until she knows you better), but she loves to sit close to you and get attention. Getting scratched under her chin seems to be a particular favorite. Don’t look past this sweetheart just because she’s a senior dog–one look into those big brown eyes and you’ll know that she still has lots of love to share!

Granny Coonhound mix 2

Granny cooling off under a bush

Jackson the three-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever mix is a big, strong boy with lots of energy. He was more of a take-charge kind of dog, leading the way on our walk. He was just so happy to be out and about! Jackson would love the opportunity to go for long walks and/or have a big yard to play in with his new family.

Jackson Labrador Retriever mix 1

Jackson enjoying some shade

Jackson eventually started to slow down a bit after we were out for a while, and came to stand next to me so I could give his ears and back a nice scratch. Jackson has that lovable Lab look, and we all know how popular Labs are, so he probably won’t be at the shelter for very long. If you’re looking for a big, active dog, Jackson might be just the pooch for you!

Jackson Labrador Retriever mix 2

Jackson making sure I’m following along

China the two-year-old Hound mix is much more playful than she would have you think from inside her kennel. China has actually been at Orphans of the Storm® for a couple of months, receiving heartworm treatment, but now she’s good to go! I always thought that she was an older dog because she was so calm and laid-back inside her kennel, but apparently she was just waiting for the chance to get out and run around.

China Hound mix 1

China is a real cutie

China has shared her kennel a couple of times with other dogs, and she was incredibly excited to see all of the other dogs who were out for walks and kept wanting to play with them, so she could absolutely go to a home with another dog. When she’s extra excited, she’ll even stand up on her back legs! China is also a snuggler. When I sat down on a shady bench after we had been out for a while, she hopped up next to me and gave me a big doggy kiss. Now that China is healthy, she can’t wait to spend the rest of her life in a happy home!

China Hound mix 2

China keeping an eye on the other dogs

I also spent some time with Rock, who I haven’t taken out for a while (but he is such a happy dog with that constantly wagging tail!), and of course played with my buddies Molly and Reebok.

There are also a few Orphans of the Storm® events happening around the North Shore this weekend:

  • Friday, August 30, 5:30-8:30pm: Dog Days of Summer at Spectrum Fine Art Gallery in Highwood
  • Saturday, August 31, 11am-3pm: Adopt a Friend for Life at Whole Foods in Northbrook
  • Sunday, September 1, 1-2:30pm: Play for Paws at Tennaqua Swim and Tennis Club in Deerfield

For more information on these events, visit the Orphans of the Storm® Facebook page.

Guest Post: Dog Breeds in Focus–The Beagle

Julie Harper joins us again on the blog to share some information about one of the more common breeds that comes through Orphans of the Storm®: the Beagle.

We all know that lovable pooches come in all shapes and sizes. Originally dogs were bred specifically for different purposes and learning their history and different characteristics can help you to choose a faithful family friend or an energetic ally.

History of the Beagle

The Beagle is a smaller member of the hound family and originated in 11th century England, although evidence indicates that dogs similar to Beagles were bred and used for hunting as early as the 5th century BC in ancient Greece. Heavier hunting dogs were crossed with greyhounds to produce a small, neat fleet of foot hounds with a keen sense of smell. The early Beagle was mostly white and used to hunt rabbits and hares by English squires; as the hounds sought out the game, the huntsmen would follow on foot. The popularity of foxhunting in the 18th and 19th century saw a decline in the numbers of Beagles as the much larger, stronger foxhound was favored. Near extinction, the breed was saved by a small number of breeders; in 1830 the Reverend Phillip Honeywood bred a pack of Beagles, reputed to be the finest in the country, and helped keep the breed alive. There was originally a smooth and rough coat version but the rough coat version became absorbed in the breed, all of which today are smooth coated. In 1840 Beagles were exported to the United States; the breed was developed and differs slightly from the English version. Richard Rowett of Illinois was one of the first to take up Beagle breeding in the USA and due to his and a handful of others’ success the breed was accepted into the American Kennel Club in 1884.

Breed Characteristics

Beagles are keen hunters but are also gentle and kind dogs. They make great pets—intelligent, happy, and friendly, Beagles are great family friends as long as you remember their original purpose. They can be distracted by scents and wildlife and are liable to go for little solo runs when fancy takes them! Some say they are very difficult to train; this is not strictly true but allowances for their ‘hound nature’ must be made. Beagles howl, as most hounds do, to signify that a scent has been found when they are hunting in packs. If one Beagle howls, the rest will follow suit. Beagles are prone to weight gain so careful exercise and diet plans should be implemented. Their lifespan is usually between 12 and 15 years.

Adopting a Beagle

There are lots of things to consider when deciding to adopt a new pet. Your home and garden should be of a suitable size and free from hazards. You should be willing and ready to provide the necessary amount of exercise for any dog you adopt and you should have time to devote to his or her amusement. The whole family must agree on a new dog so that you are all ready to welcome him or her into their new home. The initial costs such as bed, toys, and pet food aside, you must have planned for vet’s bills, dog grooming, and dental visits as these are all costs you will encounter during dog ownership. Vets bills can become pretty large if your dog has an accident or requires extensive medical treatment. The best option is to take out pet insurance so that if medical care is required you won’t have to struggle with the financial side of dog ownership as well as dealing with the distress of an injured or sick member of the family.

What Your Beagle Needs From You

If you’re lucky enough to adopt a Beagle or a Beagle mix, here’s a list of the care and attention he or she should receive:

  • Shorter but frequent walks are what Beagles like; they were bred for short spurts of energy during a hunt and not long enduring runs.
  • A ration of between 6 and 8 ounces of good quality dog meat and meal should be split between at least two meals during the day.
  • Beagles like their home comforts so a large comfy bed and a range of toys will be very much appreciated.

The most important thing for any Beagle: lots of love and attention!

Some Beagle mixes currently looking for a home are two of my favorites, Freckles and Buckeye. Keep an eye on the Orphans of the Storm® website to see when new Beagles arrive!

You can read Julie’s previous post on Adopting a Dog here.

Orphans of the Storm® Terriers

I tell you, Orphans of the Storm® has some of the cutest dogs around!

Benny the seven-year-old Terrier mix is a little guy with one of the most adorable little tails that is almost always sticking straight up into the air. And it’s even more adorable when it wags, which happens pretty often. Bennie’s gray face shows that he’s an older dog, but he’s definitely still eager to romp around and go for walks. He’s a Terrier, after all!

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Benny smiling for the camera

Benny currently has a kennelmate (who was being looked at by potential adopters while I was there, so I didn’t get a chance to meet him), so he could go to a home with or without another dog. Benny is a very calm dog who walked well on the leash and was happy to stand by my side while I scratched his back. Those big brown eyes of his show so much love! Is Benny the pooch for you?

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Benny sunning himself

Gordon the eight-year-old Terrier mix is a pooch I’ve been meaning to take out for a few weeks now, because he is just so cute. I actually thought he was a puppy when I originally met him, but then learned that he’s well into middle age and unfortunately lost the home he had grown up in. He seems to be a little nervous and shy at the shelter, understandably, so he just needs the right person to come and welcome him to a new home.

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Gordon is just too cute!

Gordon is, I think, the only dog I’ve ever seen with a mohawk. I tried to capture it in my pictures, but they don’t do it justice. It is the funniest little tuft of fur on the top of his head. His fur is also a really interesting texture–when I was petting him, it almost felt more like wool from a sheep instead of fur from a dog! Since Gordon came from a home, he does a great job on the leash and probably knows at least a couple commands. If you’re looking for a real cutie, look no further than Gordon!

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If you look closely, you can see Gordon’s mohawk in the sunlight

Cody the six-year-old Boston Terrier mix is another dog whose family could no longer take care of him. Cody is the type of dog who will press himself up against the kennel door so you can pet him, and as soon as he did that I knew I wanted to take him out and get to know him better. He is just so sweet, and that face of his is too cute to ignore.

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Cody being a happy pooch

Cody shares his kennel with his brother Ronald (see below), and though they don’t need to go to the same home, it’s good to know that they each can get along well with other dogs. When I brought Cody into the off-leash run, he scampered around and enjoyed sniffing all the new smells. He also liked carrying around a tennis ball, though fetch isn’t really his thing. Cody is more of a snuggler, so if you’re looking for someone to snuggle with, come in soon to meet Cody!

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Cody exploring the run

Ronald the ten-year-old Boston Terrier mix is definitely the more rambunctious of the two, even though he’s the older one. While Cody was greeting me at the kennel door, Ronald was in the outdoor portion of their kennel keeping an eye on all of the other dogs. He was also the one who led the way to the run once we were outside.

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Ronald with his favorite tennis ball

Ronald absolutely loves to play fetch. He found a tennis ball and brought it right to my feet, dropping it on the ground and waiting expectantly for me to throw it. He would chase it down and bring it right back. If I ever took too long to throw it, Ronald would remind me with a short bark. This little guy just loves to play and can’t wait to find a new playmate! Could it be you?

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Ronald being an excellent fetcher

I also walked Midnight and his kennelmate, who I was going to write about but has since been adopted. That means I can write more about Midnight, though! Midnight is just the epitome of a Labrador Retriever. So friendly with other dogs and people, and incredibly affectionate. Midnight kept trying to climb into my lap and would cover my face with doggy kisses whenever he got the opportunity. He even rolled over for a quick belly rub. So what if he’s a bit on the older side? He still has so much love left to share!

And, of course, I spent some time with some of my best buddies: Wilbur and Roscoe, and Molly and Reebok. I also said a quick hello to Goose!

Whatever kind of pooch you’re looking for, you can be sure Orphans of the Storm® has it!

Orphans of the Storm® Dog Days of Summer

It was another beautiful summer day at Orphans of the Storm®, and I got to know another great group of pooches that you should be sure to meet!

Dolly the two-year-old Treeing Walker Coonhound mix has a very appropriate name, because she’s a real doll of a dog! Dolly is also about as perfect a hound dog you’re going to find. She looks like a hound, she acts like a hound, and (although I didn’t actually hear her bark) she probably sounds like a hound!

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Dolly looking like a hound dog

Dolly walked well on the leash, but spent most of her time with her nose following invisible trails in the grass. She was sharing her kennel with a puppy who has since been adopted, so she could go to a home with or without another dog. If she can tolerate a playful puppy, she’ll probably get along with most other dogs! Dolly is a sweet, gentle girl who is ready and waiting for her new family to find her.

Dolly Treeing Walker Coonhound mix 2

Dolly being a good walking buddy

Melvin the four-year-old Plott Hound mix is such a handsome boy. You don’t see too many dogs with his markings and coloring, so he’s sure to catch your eye as you walk through the different wings of kennels at the shelter. Once he’s caught your eye, he’ll catch your heart too! This big boy has an equally big heart that he can’t wait to share.

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Melvin following his hound nose

Even though Melvin isn’t a puppy anymore, he still has those sad puppydog eyes that will make you want to give him a giant hug. Melvin was also sharing a kennel when I met him, so he’s another pooch who could go to a multi-dog home. Melvin enjoyed getting pet by all of the different people we met while we were on our walk, and would enjoy a family of his own even more! Come in soon to meet him!

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Melvin’s sweet face

Topaz the three-year-old Labrador Retriever mix is one big snuggle-bug. She has a fair amount of energy when she first gets out of her kennel (understandably) but turns into a great walking companion in about 30 seconds. Another reminder to not immediately be concerned by how much a dog is pulling on their leash when you first meet them; most calm down considerably after they get a chance to stretch their legs. Topaz is a very pretty girl with a bright, friendly face that you’re sure to fall in love with.

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Topaz coming in for a snuggle

While Topaz and I were sitting in the grass, she first rolled over for a quick belly rub and then sat back up and tried to climb into my lap by putting her front paws on my legs. She then proceeded to give me a few doggy kisses. The same thing happened when I was sitting on a bench a little later: more paws in my lap, and more kisses. Topaz clearly loves people; however, she doesn’t love other dogs so she would need to be the only pooch in her new furever home. If you’re a one-dog kind of person, Topaz could be that one dog for you!

Topaz Labrador Retriever mix 2

Topaz enjoying the summer day

I spent just a few minutes with a group of three Chihuahua mixes who are new to the shelter: Benjamin the seven-year-old, Cisco the three-year-old, and Cypress the one-year-old. Benjamin was by far the most outgoing of the three. He was ready to walk around and explore, and was wagging his little tail most of the time.

Benjamin Chihuahua mix

Benjamin is so photogenic!

Cisco was the lapdog of the group. When I met him he was curled up in the lap of another volunteer, and seemed very content to stay there. He then took some tentative-but-brave steps across the grass to climb into my lap, where he was the perfect size for cuddling.

Cisco Chihuahua mix

Cisco perfecting the dog-selfie while sitting in my lap

Cypress was somewhere between Benjamin and Cisco on the bravery scale. He wasn’t trying to cower in anyone’s lap, and seemed to be at least cautiously interested in the idea of exploring, but his poor little tail was tucked between his back legs for the first few minutes. He needs someone to give him some courage!

Cypress Chihuahua mix

Cypress at attention

There was construction of a new doghouse going on in the yard where I usually play with Molly and Reebok, so Craig and I took them for a little walk around the shelter property instead. I just don’t know what they’re still doing at the shelter! I was also able to walk Roscoe and Wilbur by myself, simultaneously (which I consider a huge personal accomplishment, considering I used to get tangled just walking two Chihuahuas! This also proves that Wilbur and Roscoe are extremely well-behaved.) And I took a walk with someone I haven’t walked in quite a while: Keini! I had forgotten how great he is on a leash, and also how cuddly he can be. If you’re looking for an older dog, be sure to consider Keini.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Who Found Their Forever Homes, Part IX

Another success story! Remember Wags? Well, his new name is Eddie and his new forever home is with Emma. Here is what Emma had to say about her Orphans of the Storm® adoption experience:

Q: Why Orphans of the Storm®?
A: I had actually looked at other shelters in addition to Orphans, however the staff at Orphans were by far the friendliest to work with which was very encouraging to me. I just remember feeling like they were all so happy to see one of their orphans get a home as opposed to other shelters I had visited. The way Orphans of the Storm® operates was far more reassuring to me and I felt very encouraged that they knew the personality of their animals but would also let you learn more about them for yourself.

Eddie's "dork sit"

Eddie’s “dork sit”

Q: How did you hear about Orphans of the Storm®?
A: My family has friends who are former Orphans of the Storm® adopters.

Eddie enjoying the fresh air in his backyard

Eddie enjoying the fresh air in his backyard

Q: What made you want to adopt from a shelter?
A: I have always been pro-adoption so when I decided to get a dog, I knew I wanted to adopt.

Eddie napping in Emma's lap

Eddie napping in Emma’s lap

Q: Was this your first pet dog?
A: Eddie is my first pet dog.

Eddie cuddling with Emma's boyfriend

Eddie cuddling with Emma’s boyfriend

Q: Did you have a specific breed/age/size/other trait in mind when you first came to the shelter?
A: I knew I didn’t want a puppy and I preferred a smaller, short-haired dog. However, I knew none of that would matter when I found the right dog. I had the general “guidelines” of what I was looking for, but a part of me knew that I would just feel it when I found the right dog. And that is exactly what happened when I met Eddie.

Eddie watching "Too Cute" on Animal Planet (he likes when the puppies bark)

Eddie watching “Too Cute” on Animal Planet (he likes when the puppies bark)

Q: How many dogs did you visit with in one of the off-leash runs before you decided on your dog?
A: I visited 4 dogs including Eddie.

Eddie napping on the couch with his "cousin" Gracie

Eddie napping on the couch with his “cousin” Gracie

Q: What about your dog sealed your decision to adopt him?
A: I really can’t explain what it was about Eddie that sealed the decision. There was just something about him, an instant connection. After signing all the paperwork, I just sat with him for a while. He had to go to the vet before I could take him home so I had to wait almost about 24 hours before I could bring him home. That was harder than I would have imagined. I barely left the shelter without tearing up!

Eddie wearing Emma's Iowa State shirt

Eddie wearing Emma’s Iowa State shirt

Q: How did your dog respond to transitioning from shelter life to home life?
A: Eddie did great transitioning to home life. He actually had to adjust to a new home twice since I adopted him while at home with my parents in Illinois and then a few weeks later I moved to my townhouse at school in Ames, Iowa. I’m sure he was at one point in a home before he ended up in the shelter because he just took to home life so well. It was like he instantly knew what to do. He only had one accident in the house and he quickly learned to let me know that he had to go potty rather than hold it until I let him out.

Eddie watching rabbits

Eddie watching rabbits

Q: Anything else you’d like to add?
A: The whole experience adopting from Orphans of the Storm® was wonderful and I would absolutely go back to them if I ever decided to get Eddie a brother/sister. Eddie has been such a positive addition to my life and I can hardly remember life without him and we’ve only been together for a little over two months! His name was originally Wags, which is very suiting for him since his tail is wagging more than it isn’t. But I generally like the idea of new home, new name and I really like people names for pets. I went through a lot of possibilities before deciding on Eddie, which is actually short for Edwin (an English name meaning Prosperous Friend). Eddie has so many cute little quirks about him that I absolutely adore: the way he sits, all the different barks he has, and the way he will just stare at you and wag his tail, and my favorite is when he is circling while you pet him and smacking himself in the face with his tail–it’s just too cute! I honestly could talk about Eddie for hours. Sometimes he can make me a little crazy but he is my baby boy and I wouldn’t trade him for anything!

Eddie's "dork sit", take 2

Eddie’s “dork sit”, take 2

Thank you for sharing your success story with us, Emma! We always love to hear how happy former Orphans dogs are in their new homes!

If you would like to share your Orphans of the Storm® success story, please email meetthepooches@gmail.com.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Strut Their Stuff at the Pooch Parade

It was a perfect day for the annual Orphans of the Storm® Pooch Parade! Like last year’s post, this will be more photo-focused, but I of course have to talk about my pooch companion: Emilio!

I met Emilio and his kennelmate Sassy a few weeks ago at the shelter, and I was thrilled to learn that I would be walking Emilio in the Pooch Parade. Emilio is pretty much great at everything. He was great at riding in the car, he was great with every single dog he met at the Pooch Parade (and there were a ton!), and he was great with all of the people who came over to meet him. Emilio is great with kids, too. He got his fair share of hugs from a little boy and a young girl, and was an absolute angel with both of them. You should have seen the smile on the girl’s face when Emilio gave her a doggy kiss.

Emilio loving all the attention

Emilio loving all the attention

Emilio is also great at walking on the leash. He was even leading the way with Half Pint at the beginning of the parade (but then we let some other people and dogs get ahead of us because we didn’t know the route!). Emilio, being a Jack Russell Terrier mix, went into tracker mode when he heard a rustle in the bushes we passed at one point. I’m not sure if it was a chipmunk or a bird or what, but boy was Emilio standing at attention! But then he realized we were being passed up and he returned to trotting along the sidewalk.

Emilio and Half Pint got off to a quick start

Emilio and Half Pint got off to a quick start

Emilio also loves belly rubs and rolling in the grass. In fact, before the parade started he was rolling around in the grass so much that he wiggled right out of his adoption vest! (I think that was his goal, actually. Sneaky Emilio!) He gets the sweetest look of pure happiness on his face when he’s getting his belly rubbed.

Since Emilio and the other dogs at the shelter spend most of their time in their kennel, Emilio wasn’t used to all of this exercise. A two-mile walk probably feels a lot longer when you have little legs like Emilio. He kept up a solid walking pace throughout the entire parade, but once we were back at the park he found a shady spot underneath a picnic table and took a 20-minute nap while the pledge and raffle prizes were being awarded. After his nap, he was completely rejuvenated and started running around to say hello to more people and dogs.

Emilio pooped out post-parade

Emilio pooped out post-parade

In summary, Emilio=great. What is he still doing at the shelter???

Some of the other Orphans of the Storm® dogs who participated in the parade were Kelly (who you can read more about here), Sonny, and Bronco.

Sonny smiling for the camera

Sonny smiling for the camera

Half Pint getting hydrated before the parade

Half Pint getting hydrated before the parade

A group of helpful volunteers

A group of helpful volunteers

The registration table

The registration table

The banner welcoming everyone to the Pooch Parade

The banner welcoming everyone to the Pooch Parade

Chalk decorations on the sidewalk

Chalk decorations on the sidewalk

The crowd was growing!

The crowd was growing!

More pooches and more people

More pooches and more people

The starting line

The starting line

Everybody lining up at the starting line

Everybody lining up at the starting line

And we're off!

And we’re off!

Rounding the first corner

Rounding the first corner

Making our way along the parade route

Making our way along the parade route

Thank you to all of the volunteers, donors, and participants who made this year’s Pooch Parade a *great* success! And be sure to check out more photos and a slideshow on the Orphans of the Storm® Facebook page.

And if you and your pooch happen to be at the Art Festival at the Glen Town Center in Glenview this weekend (August 10-11), be sure to stop by the Orphans of the Storm® cooling center for some water!

Orphans of the Storm® Brown Dogs

What a busy week it’s been on the blog, thanks to our guest post and info about the Pooch Parade! Now it’s time to meet some more pooches.

Misty the six-year-old Collie/German Shepherd mix is one pretty girl (who will look much prettier after she gets a good brushing!). If you’re looking for an intelligent pooch, look no further. Misty is a mix of two very smart breeds and if she doesn’t already know some tricks, she’ll be sure to pick them up quick. Misty was great on the leash and happy to get a chance to explore the outdoors.

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Misty exploring the run (and shedding…)

Misty spent the first few minutes sniffing her way around the off-leash run, but once she realized that she had a human companion she came running right over to me. When I sat down on the bench, she hopped up next to me and even put a paw in my lap before giving me a couple doggy kisses. How many favorites am I allowed to have? Misty has definitely been added to that list. She’s a sweet, gentle, well-behaved girl who is ready for her new forever home.

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Misty is a pretty girl

Halley the twelve-year-old Chow Chow mix probably stops everyone in their tracks because she is SO FLUFFY. It’s impossible to resist the urge to pet her. Luckily for everyone, Halley loves attention and will happily sit by your side while you pet her. I learned that she especially likes being scratched on her right hip and the side of her neck. She also enjoys being scratched on her forehead, and her little ears point in opposite directions when you do that. So cute!

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Halley looking poised

Halley is one of the best leash-walkers I’ve met at the shelter. I thought to myself, “This is easier than walking my own dog!” This is partially due to the fact that Halley is a senior citizen and isn’t going anywhere in a hurry, but also due to the fact that Halley is an extremely gentle dog. You’ll have the best-looking dog on the block if you give Halley a home where she can enjoy some comfort in her golden years. Come in quick to meet her!

Halley Chow Chow mix 2

Halley showing off her signature blue tongue

Lucy the three-year-old Vizsla mix is a fun little girl who is full of energy. I actually thought she was a puppy when I first took her out (her kennelmate, below, is an actual puppy, so that’s probably why). Lucy was off and running as soon as she was out of her kennel, and couldn’t wait to romp around off-leash.

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Lucy sniffing around

Lucy, aside from being energetic, is also incredibly affectionate. She loves to give doggy kisses and kept running back to me to give doggy hugs while I scratched her ears. She wasn’t too interested in playing fetch at the time, but maybe when there are less distractions (in this case, her kennelmate and another dog in the next run) she will be more eager. If you’re looking for an active pooch to keep you company on your outings, Lucy could be your girl!

Lucy Vizsla mix 2

Lucy coming in for a doggy kiss

Duke the one-year-old Labrador Retriever mix has quite a striking look–one brown eye and one blue eye! He, like his kennelmate, was ready to play as soon as he got outside and led the way to the off-leash run, where he immediately started running and playing tag with Lucy. There was no slowing down this little guy!

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Duke stretching his legs

Duke also liked to give doggy kisses, but was slightly more reserved about giving them out. Instead, he would come over to me and try to climb into my lap for some snuggle-time. Labs are known for being loyal, and Duke is no exception. If you’re looking for a new playmate, come in soon to meet Duke!

Duke Yellow Labrador Retriever mix 2

Duke’s one brown eye and one blue eye

Bubba the five-year-old Rottweiler mix is a handsome boy who is much gentler than he looks. He could probably be the one walking you (instead of the other way around), but he doesn’t–he’s another great walking companion. Bubba seems to be a pretty easy-going guy who is happy to go wherever his person is going.

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Bubba enjoying our walk

Bubba also seems to be a volunteer favorite because of his personality. His little stub of a Rottweiler tail wags frantically whenever someone comes to say hello to him. If you’re looking for a big dog who doesn’t act nearly as tough as he looks, Bubba could be your new best friend! (And if you think the Rottweiler is a breed for you, be sure to meet Giorgio too!)

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Bubba wondering, “Is my furever family out there?” (Answer: Yes!)

Hugo the two-year-old Rottweiler mix is much smaller than Bubba, his fellow Rottweiler mix, but has a similar personality in that he seems to get along with everybody and everything. When I met Hugo, he had a Dachshund for a kennelmate (who has since been adopted)–and the Dachshund was absolutely tiny in comparison, but the two of them were already good buddies.

Hugo Rottweiler mix 1

Hugo too interested in following his nose

Hugo absolutely loves to get people’s attention. When some of the staff came up to greet the Dachshund (who was new to the shelter), Hugo bounded right up to the front and made sure that he got his fair share of petting, too. He’s a pretty active guy who was more interested in running than walking when we were out with a leash, so he’d love to go into an active home where he can get the perfect balance of cuddle time and play time.

Hugo Rottweiler mix 2

Hugo feeling camera-shy

As usual, I couldn’t leave the shelter before saying hi to some of my four-legged friends. I watched over Rosco and Wilbur while they ran some laps around the fenced-in yard, spent some time cuddling with Frankie and Bailey, and took walks with Bebe and Shamrock. So many great pooches in just one short afternoon!

I look forward to seeing adopted Orphans pooches and their humans at the Pooch Parade on Saturday! I always love to hear more success stories.