Orphans of the Storm® Has Dogs of All Colors

The Orphans of the Storm® Annual Benefit Dinner is just a few days away: Monday, April 28 at 5:30 p.m.–with a special VIP tour of the new cat wing at 4 p.m.!

Caliber the seven-year-old black Labrador Retriever mix is one good-looking pooch. When we were out on our walk around the shelter grounds, I was asked on several occasions who he was because he was catching everyone’s eye! Caliber seems to move in bursts when he’s on a walk. He’ll sniff something for a moment, then dart ahead a few feet, then sniff again. When there are so many new scents to smell, it seems like the right way to do it.

Caliber enjoying his walk

Caliber is a pretty mellow guy when you let him off the leash, though. While we were in the run, he meandered about and seemed to enjoy just being out in the sunshine. Since he’s a middle-aged guy, a couple of nice walks around the neighborhood and some time in his own backyard seems like a pretty good deal to him. Don’t let Black Dog Syndrome keep him at the shelter for too long. If you’re interested in adding the most popular dog breed in America to your home, stop by the shelter and see if Caliber is the pooch for you.

Caliber is such a handsome boy

Elmo the two-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix is super duper affectionate. He’s on the smaller, skinnier side compared to other Pit mixes at the shelter, which is perfect for him because he is a complete lap dog (or, as much of him as can fit in a lap). He was busy exploring the off-leash run, but when he saw me sitting on the bench he came running over and launched himself right into my lap, then proceeded to cover my face in doggy kisses.

Elmo working the one brown eye/one blue eye look

Elmo has a unique look, which adds to his cuteness. He’s mostly white with just a sprinkling of black spots, and he has one brown eye and one blue eye. Elmo is also an excellent fetch player. He happily chased the tennis ball and brought it back, dropping it on the ground to wait for me to throw it again. Elmo’s tail is wagging all the time and he is a great walking companion when he’s on his leash. If you’re looking for a playful cuddle buddy, come in soon to meet Elmo!

Elmo likes to keep an eye on things

Ivy the two-year-old Labrador Retriever/Pit Bull Terrier mix is such a cutie, and she has some of the softest fur I have ever pet. Luckily for both of us, she loves being showered with attention! When we got to the off-leash run, I knelt down to pet her and she immediately sat right at my feet and waited until I was done petting her before getting up and sniffing around. When I went to pet her a few minutes later, she did the exact same thing.

Ivy wondering if fetch is her thing

Ivy is another dog who walks well on the leash (though when it came time to go back to her kennel, she wanted to go in the opposite direction–it breaks my heart when they do that!). Ivy has adorable ears that perk straight up whenever she sees or hears something interesting. Although she barked at Gizmo when they had a fence separating them, she seemed pretty polite with him when they were both on leashes walking around. A sweetie like Ivy won’t be at the shelter for long, so come in soon to meet her!

Ivy with her perky ears and doggy smile

I also saw Nano (who greeted me right at the front gate–he was on his way to the Pet Showcase at Northbrook Court!), Dina, Javan, Maggie, Rosco (who would love nothing more than his own backyard to run in–you should see him go!), Shasta, and Tiger.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs in the Springtime Sun

The Orphans of the Storm® Annual Benefit Dinner is just over a week away–April 28 at 5 p.m.! Help support a great cause that helps these great dogs (and cats!) find their new happy homes. Even if you can’t make it to the dinner itself, you can still donate items to the silent auction.

Nano the eight-year-old Miniature Pinscher mix is a lap dog if I ever did see one. As soon as we were in the off-leash run, Nano was jumping up and down and tried to climb into my lap as soon as I started to kneel down next to him. When I sat down on the bench, Nano was up there next to me in a flash and kept trying to burrow into my lap, as if he couldn’t get close enough. He loves to give doggy kisses and does the cutest little doggy dance when you scratch his hips.

Nano is always smiling

Nano may love to snuggle, but he also has plenty of energy. I think I’ve said this about most of the Miniature Pinschers I’ve met at the shelter: those little legs can really move! Nano is no exception. He was interested in chasing down any toy I threw, though he hasn’t mastered the “fetching” part yet (he’d just sniff the toy where it landed and that was that). Little Nano will make a fun addition to any home, so come in soon to meet him!

Nano thinking about jumping into my lap again

Sweet Pea the three-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix certainly has the right name to match her personality. This darling girl gets along with everybody–adults, kids, other dogs, you name it. She walked pretty well on the leash as we made our way to the off-leash run and gave a friendly hello sniff to Corky, who was on the other side of the fence, before going off to explore.

Sweet Pea being attentive

Sweet Pea is a smart girl who would probably respond well to training to learn some new tricks. She even went over the agility bridge with just a little bit of encouragement! Sweet Pea also likes to keep an eye on things and greet anyone who comes over. She put her front paws up on the gate of the off-leash run to watch what was happening on the other side of the fence, and her tail would start wagging whenever someone walked her way. This sweetie is ready for her forever home! Could it be with you?

Sweet Pea coming over for a snuggle

Alice the two-year-old German Shepherd mix was feeling very shy at the shelter when I met her because she had just been turned in by her owner, who could no longer care for her. She was a little hesitant about coming out for a walk, but after just a few minutes of quietly strolling around, she started to warm up to me.

Alice has such a sweet face

Alice is clearly a sweet, gentle soul. She walked well on the leash, and would come and stand next to me so I could scratch her chin, which she seemed to enjoy. Those brown eyes will make you fall in love with her right away! She’s sad about losing her first home, but she will make a wonderful companion to her new family. On your next visit to the shelter, be sure to say hi to Alice!

Alice enjoying the spring sunshine

Tom-Tom the nine-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix has one of those faces that immediately makes you smile because it is just so cute (and so big!). Tom-Tom is a strong boy, but for the most part he was good at walking on the leash. He’s also a polite pooch–he walked right through the middle of a group of kids who were visiting the shelter and just gave a quick sniff here and there before continuing on.

Tom Tom has the best face ever

Tom-Tom is very attentive to what people want. When we were in the off-leash run, the dog in the run next door was barking at Tom-Tom. Rather than barking back, Tom-Tom looked up at me like, “What should I do about this?” I told him to come over by me, and he did just that. Then he gave me a couple of doggy kisses. What a cutie! If you’re looking for a big boy to be your new companion, come in soon to meet Tom-Tom.

Tom Tom would love his own yard to romp in

I also saw my furry friends Tiger (who is also friendly with dogs and kids), Javan, Molly, the other Molly (who is still the best fetch-player you’re ever going to find), Dezzie, Duke (yet another dog who gets along with everybody and everything, including cats!), Giorgio, Jade, Saber, and Lucky.

Even if you can’t adopt right now, there’s another great way to help: Orphans of the Storm® is looking for volunteer dog walkers to give the pooches some exercise now that the weather is nicer. There is a handling class on May 14 if you’re interested!

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Are Lovey-Dovey

There were so many new pooches looking for their furever homes at Orphans of the Storm® this weekend, and the great news is that many of them found one! But there are plenty of wonderful dogs still waiting to be discovered. All three of the dogs below were quickly added to my “favorites” list because they are all so sweet!

Hollister the seven-year-old Shepherd mix is, in a word, amazing! When I came to his kennel to put his leash on, he simply sat and waited until he was hooked up and the kennel door was opened. Hollister is a big boy (and so fluffy!), but he is so gentle. He walked wonderfully on the leash and would occasionally stop and look up at me just to make sure we were still on the same page about where we were going. Talk about attentive!

Hollister enjoying the springtime sun

Hollister just wants to be loved. He gently licked my nose as a thank-you while I pet his back, and when I sat down on a bench he rested his head in my lap and just enjoyed being scratched behind the ears. Everyone who passed by thought he looked like the sweetest pooch, and he is! Hollister was even friendly with itty-bitty Rico (who has since been adopted, hurray!), who was smaller than Hollister’s head alone. If you’re looking for a big dog to be the perfect companion, come in soon to meet Hollister!

Hollister the gentle giant

Enos the three-year-old black Labrador Retriever mix is a cuddle-bug who thrives on human contact. While we were making our way to the off-leash run, Enos kept rubbing against my leg like a kitty and I kept giving him a reassuring pat on the back. Although he did some exploring once we were in the run, he always came running back to me for more petting.

Enos wondering why I’m taking his picture instead of petting him

Enos is another great leash-walker. If I said, “Come,” he would go in whatever direction I wanted–and with a wagging tail! When I sat down on the bench, Enos scooted his back half between my knees so I could scratch his hips. He turned his head around and gave me the sweetest doggy smile while I did that. Before I stood up again, he made sure to give me plenty of doggy kisses. I am definitely part of the Enos fan club, and you will be too as soon as you meet him!

Enos just wants to snuggle

Freddy the two-year-old Labrador Retriever mix is one of the cutest pups at the shelter right now. He even got picked to make an appearance at the Northbrook Court Pet Showcase on Sunday! His tail was wagging all over the place when he saw me come over with a leash, but he was very patient about waiting for me to put it on. Freddy was a little skittish about loud or unusual noises (opening the gate to leave the off-leash run made him jump), but it’s easy to see that once he’s settled in a loving home, he will be a happy-go-lucky pooch.

Freddy got lots of compliments while we were out

Freddy stayed pretty close to me while we were in the off-leash run, but he did enjoy sticking his nose in the hay to see what smells he could find. If I knelt down next to him, he was happy to stand next to me and get a nice scratch on the chest. He gave my nose a tentative sniff a few times, so maybe the next time I see him we’ll progress to doggy kisses. Freddy is still a young dog with plenty of love to offer. Stop by the shelter soon and say hi to Freddy!

Freddy’s adorable face

I also saw my furry friends Dezzie, Giorgio, Jade, Lucky, Maggie, and Saber.

And don’t forget–“The Cat’s Meow” Annual Benefit Dinner is coming up quick: Monday, April 28 at 5:30 p.m. Attendees can get a VIP tour of the new cat wing!

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Play in the Hay

As much as all of us at Orphans of the Storm® love Yeager, we don’t want to see him back at the shelter! This is his last week of training at Tops Kennel, and if someone doesn’t adopt him soon, he’ll have to come back. Who wouldn’t want a fully trained dog who is lovable, affectionate, and has a constantly wagging tail? You even get one week of training FREE so you and Yeager can form a great bond right away. This smart, happy boy wants what all of the animals at Orphans of the Storm® want: a loving forever home. Let’s make sure he finds one soon! You can check out his latest video update here.

And don’t forget–the Orphans of the Storm® annual benefit dinner is coming up in just a few short weeks! Monday, April 28 is the day, so mark your calendars and reserve your spot soon!

Maggie the seven-year-old black Labrador Retriever mix may have some gray fur on her face, but don’t let that fool you! Maggie still has plenty of pep in her step: she walked at a quick clip on our way to the off-leash run, and had a great time playing fetch once we got there. Maggie truly is a puppy at heart, and that makes her so much fun to spend time with!

Maggie enjoying a nice scratch under her chin

Maggie is one of the most affectionate dogs I’ve met at the shelter. If you love being on the receiving end of doggy kisses, Maggie will not disappoint you. She is all about being lovey-dovey, and her tail never stops wagging. Maggie would probably prefer to be the only dog in her new home, but with a pooch like Maggie, one is all you need! If you’re looking for a lovable, loyal companion, come in soon to meet Maggie!

Maggie taking a quick pause from our game of fetch

Jeff the one-year-old Treeing Walker Coonhound mix is full of energy. He had so much fun racing Molokai (who, for a 12-year-old, certainly can move!) in the off-leash run, and he likes to take the lead on walks–though, since he is a scent hound, he stops pretty regularly to smell interesting things in the grass. And he’s such a handsome boy!

Jeff on the move!

Jeff has an old injury in one of his front legs that makes it more comfortable for him to hold that paw up when he’s standing still, but I can assure you that it doesn’t slow him down in the slightest. This big guy will love spending plenty of time outside with his new family. Jeff also enjoys getting plenty of attention, including a good scratch behind the ears. If you’ve been thinking about adding a hound to your household, stop by the shelter and say hi to Jeff!

Jeff’s handsome profile

Rico the eight-year-old Chihuahua mix was pretty much brand-new to the shelter when I met him, so he was a little shy and unsure about his new surroundings. Luckily he has Gypsy for a kennelmate, so the two of them (who are practically twins) can snuggle up together while they both wait to find their new forever homes. Rico walked nicely on our way to the off-leash run, though he wasn’t so sure about the feeling of hay between his paws once we got there.

Rico exploring in the hay

Since Rico is on the shy side, he likes having his own space in the beginning but will be sure to let you know when he feels comfortable with you. After just a few short minutes of us being in the run together, Rico came over and happily let me pet his back. When it was time to go back to his kennel, Rico instead wanted to jump into my lap. Once Rico knows you, he’ll be stuck to your side! If a lapdog is what you’re looking for, come in and see if Rico is the one for you!

Rico is such a little cutie patootie!

Blueberry the three-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix is a big, strong boy–but he definitely has a snuggley side! Blueberry was more than ready for a chance to go out for a walk and led the way to the off-leash run, where he had a great time bounding through the new hay. You’ll notice right away how Blueberry got his name: it goes perfectly with his beautiful blue fur!

I just love Blueberry’s ears!

Blueberry was very attentive to everything that was happening on the other side of the fence. He liked watching the other dogs and people walk by and wanted to be part of the action. Blueberry may look kind of tough at first glance, but you’ll soon see that he’s just a big goofball. I love those ears and that face! Big dogs like Blueberry have lots of love to offer, so come in soon to meet him!

Blueberry at attention

I also saw Emerald, Ebbie, Wilbur, Bella, Dezzie, Diamond, Javan, Molly, the other Molly, Rock, and Winter! A great group of dogs, if I may say so.