Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Who Are All About Snuggling

It was a beautiful fall day at Orphans of the Storm®, and the dogs (and cats!) at the shelter think that this is the perfect season for “fall”ing in love with your new, furry, furever friend!

Myra the four-year-old Bluetick Coonhound mix is an absolute sweetheart who gets along with everybody. She was sharing her kennel with another dog who has since been adopted, so she’s definitely dog-friendly. She also loves people, and is gentle enough to do well with children. She’s a very mellow girl who doesn’t bark much (but when she does, she has that beautiful Hound voice!). Speaking of beautiful, Myra’s markings will certainly catch your eye.

Myra putting that Hound nose to good use

Myra enjoys a good snuggle session. She spent the first couple of minutes using that Hound nose to explore around the run, but when I knelt down and called to her, she came over and basically attempted to climb into my lap. She’ll keep her face right next to yours as long as you’re petting her–and she might even give you a kiss! If you’re looking for a sweet and gentle dog who is happy to just be your companion, come in soon to meet Myra!

Myra is such a pretty girl

Zoey the Pit Bull Terrier mix is anything but shy. There was no “get to know each other” period–as soon as I knelt down next to her, she covered my face in doggy kisses and we were officially friends. Zoey has plenty of energy and had a great time romping around the run, exploring under the bushes, and keeping an eye on things happening on the other side of the fence. She has adorable perky ears that stand straight up when she’s extra happy.

Zoey hurrying over to snuggle

Zoey discovered a big ball while we were in the run, and she loved playing with it and carrying it around with her. In fact, she liked it so much that she brought it back to her kennel with her at the end of our walk! She had no problems with me petting her while she chewed on her ball. Zoey is a happy, playful girl who would do best as the only pet in her new home. If you’re looking for a fun friend, stop by soon to see if Zoey is the pooch for you!

Zoey is a playful pup!

Bode the one-year-old German Shepherd mix is definitely still in his puppy stage–in the best way! He’s energetic, playful, happy-go-lucky, and absolutely loves being around people. One of Bode’s favorite things to do is give doggy hugs: he’ll put his front paws on your arms and happily stand on his back legs while you pet him, while giving you a great smile and maybe a doggy kiss or two.

Bode exploring the new pebbles in the run

Bode, being a breed that is part of the Working Group, wants to have something to do. We ran a lap or two while he was on the leash, and he stayed right by my side, so he would make an excellent running buddy. He was also interested in chasing the tennis ball that the dog in the other run was playing with, though he didn’t seem overly interested in playing with his own tennis ball. Bode is a great pup who will grow up to be a loyal dog. Come in soon if you think Bode could be the one for you!

Bode is one handsome fellow

Gus the two-year-old Labrador Retriever/Pit Bull Terrier mix is, in one word, affectionate. If you’re looking for a new pooch to snuggle with, Gus is definitely up for the job. He rolled over for belly rubs, gave doggy kisses, and joined me when I sat on the bench. Gus is also just plain happy. His tail wags constantly and he loves saying hello to new people.

Gus enjoying a drink of water

Gus is super adorable. He has some black spots on his mostly white fur–a few more, and you could easily make someone believe that he’s part Dalmatian! He can bark a little when he’s inside his kennel, but he didn’t bark at all once we were out and about (though he did make some whine-y sounds when I didn’t let him say hi to other dogs). This happy, lovable boy will bring a smile to your face every day if you’re the lucky one to bring him home. Stop by the shelter soon to say hi to Gus!

Gus sure knows how to take an adorable picture!

I also spent some time with Ares, Wilbur (my favorite!), Rosco, Daisy, Delilah (who was also at the Pooch Parade two weekends ago), Javan, Ranger, Sweet Pea (who truly lives up to her name–she gets along great with kids and loves to play), and Tom-Tom (who gave me the biggest doggy hug ever when he saw me). So many wonderful dogs for you to choose from!

Orphans of the Storm® Happy Halloween Pooch Parade

This year, the annual Orphans of the Storm® Pooch Parade got a spooky twist: the parade was moved from August to October, which meant dogs and their owners could dress up in festive Halloween costumes!

My date to the Pooch Parade this year was Benny! Benny is a popular dog who goes to many off-site events, so he is a pro at riding in the car. He settled down on the blanket in my backseat immediately and looked expectantly out the window. “Where are we off to today?” he seemed to ask.

Benny says, “I’m ready!”

Despite the rainy weather, there was already a crowd gathered at the park when we arrived. Plenty of pooches were in costume, and those who weren’t got their own orange bandana at the registration booth.

Everyone gathering before the parade kicked off

The fundraising tent

Protecting the goodies from the rain

Dogs and owners registering

Treats for the humans (don’t worry, there were plenty for the dogs too!)

Benny and I met up with the other Orphans of the Storm® dog at the parade who is still looking for a furever home: Delilah! Delilah has a bit (or a lot) more energy than Benny, so she was more than ready to start walking in the parade. Delilah was doing a great job politely greeting the other dogs and people, always with a wagging tail. Benny was doing a great job too. It didn’t matter if it was a Bernese Mountain Dog or a Chihuahua–Benny can be friends with dogs of all shapes and sizes!

The time came for the parade to begin, so everyone headed towards the starting line.

On our way to the starting line

Some of the lovely chalk art on the sidewalk

A little rain won’t stop us!

The official starting line

We headed out along the 2-mile route. A group as big as ours had the people driving past in their cars stop and take a second look!

Benny and I were on our way!

Is that a dog or a fast-moving turtle??

The parade leaders leading the way

Although Benny had plenty of enthusiasm, his little legs weren’t quite ready to keep up with everybody, especially for the full parade. After a couple of blocks, we lost sight of the rest of the group and decided to head back to the park, stay dry, and spend time with the other volunteers while we waited for everyone else to complete the route.

Benny certainly knows how to work a crowd. All of the volunteers took a break from what they were doing to come over and pet him. If they stopped, he would put his little front paws on their legs, which in turn prompted them to give him plenty of treats for being so cute.

Benny says, “I think there are supposed to be more TREATS during a Halloween parade.”

Eventually, the rest of the parade-goers made their way back to the park, and it was time to find out who won each of the many, many raffle prizes. (A big thank you to everyone who donated prizes, food, treats, and their time for this event!)

Some of the pooches at the end of the parade

Goodie bags for all participants, full of dog toys!

By the end of the outing, I was ready to drive Benny home with me. He was such a good boy for the entire outing, even though it was certainly something he had never experienced before, with all of those dogs and people and activity. Unfortunately, I don’t think my family or my dog would have appreciated the surprise, even if the surprise was as adorable and sweet as Benny.

Benny taking a nap in the car on the way back to the shelter

If you’re looking for nothing more than a sweet, loving, gentle companion who will bring a smile to your face every single day, come in to Orphans of the Storm® soon to meet Benny. He doesn’t need a lot of exercise; he just needs a family that will love him. Getting adopted would be the biggest treat of all for Benny this Halloween!

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Who Give Hugs

It was a lovely fall day with some lovely pooches at Orphans of the Storm®! Let’s hope that the weather will be just as lovely on Saturday, October 18 for the Orphans of the Storm® Annual Pooch Parade! Have you come up with you and your dog’s costumes yet?

Rooster the four-year-old Heeler mix is the friendliest of friendly dogs and gets along well with people and other dogs alike. He was sharing his kennel with another pooch who has since been adopted, so he could go to a home with or without another dog. Rooster is a very affectionate boy, too. He gives great doggy hugs and gives you an adorable doggy smile while you’re petting him.

Rooster says, “Let’s play!”

Rooster is a pretty good walking buddy, too. If you stop walking, he’ll sometimes stop and sit next to you until you’re ready to move again. Rooster is a volunteer favorite because of his happy-go-lucky personality. Just think about how much happier he’ll be when he’s in a home of his very own! Stop by the shelter soon if you think Rooster could be the pooch for you.

Rooster is such a cutie

Max the two-year-old Shepherd mix still acts a bit like a puppy, in a good way. He has plenty of energy (which you will notice if you see him jumping when he’s inside his kennel), but when he’s out on the leash or in the off-leash run, he settles down and turns into quite the sidekick and companion. He’s another dog who likes to give doggy hugs.

Max would like a yard to call his own

Max is very attentive to people and constantly looked at me for feedback. When we were making our way to the off-leash run, he would stop and look up at me to make sure he was still leading us in the right direction. When we were in the off-leash run and the dog in the run next to us was barking at him, Max turned tail and hurried straight to me for some reassurance (where I told him he was being a very good boy for not barking back). This great guy has what it takes to be an amazing family pet, so be sure to say hi to Max on your next visit to the shelter!

Max coming over for some snuggling

Zha Zha the two-year-old Terrier mix will probably look as glamorous as her name implies after she gets a good bath and haircut. But even in her current state, she is very cute and will certainly catch your eye as you make your way through the shelter. Zha Zha has plenty of that Terrier energy and quickly led the way to the off-leash run, where she had a fun time running and exploring.

Zha Zha romping in the run

Zha Zha kept to herself for a bit at the beginning, but it was like she had an epiphany somewhere along the way and realized that I was, in fact, there to socialize with her. When this happened, she came trotting over and gave me a quick sniff, then proceeded to lick my hand (which I took to be her seal of approval). If you’re looking for a pup with some spunk in both the looks and personality departments, come in soon and meet Zha Zha!

Zha Zha could use some TLC, but behind all that fluff is a great dog!

I also saw Wilbur, Bueller, Abby, Shard, Delilah, Diamond, Topaz, Corky, Lady, Rosco, Shasta, Sweet Pea, Shogun, Tucker, and Dolly (who, I am pleased to say, does much better around other dogs now that she isn’t so nervous).

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Are Playful

There have been plenty of happy adoptions over the last couple of weeks, but there are still plenty of great dogs waiting for their furever families to find them at Orphans of the Storm®!

Ares the six-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix is a staff and volunteer favorite. He even got a special shout-out on the Orphans of the Storm® Facebook page a few weeks ago! This sweet boy came from a military family who got transferred and, sadly, couldn’t bring Ares with due to breed restrictions. So that means two things: 1) Ares knows what it takes to be a great family pet, and 2) Ares must certainly be well-trained if he came from the military!

Ares smiling for the camera

Ares is a playful boy who had a great time chasing and chewing on tennis balls while we were in the off-leash run. He even carried the tennis ball back with him once we left. Ares doesn’t pull on the leash, but he does walk at a pretty quick pace, so he’d like a family that can keep up with him. He’s a friendly and affectionate boy who can’t wait to meet his new family. Stop by the shelter soon to find out if Ares is the companion for you!

Ares loves his tennis balls!

Gunther the one-year-old Boxer mix is definitely still a puppy–a big puppy! This happy boy is full of puppy energy and playfulness. He was wiggling from head to tail when he saw that he was going for a walk and quickly led the way to the off-leash run, where he had a great time romping around and exploring.

Gunther’s happy face

Gunther certainly does not shy away from affection–he loves to give doggy hugs and doggy kisses. Gunther was sharing his kennel with another dog who has already been adopted, so he could go to a home with or without another dog. Either way, Gunther is looking for a family who will keep him plenty active. After all, he is part of the Working Group! If you’re looking for a big, friendly boy who will keep a smile on your face, stop by the shelter soon to meet Gunther!

Gunther about to launch himself into my lap

Petey the three-year-old Chihuahua mix is all about being a companion. He’ll be happy to greet you as soon as you stop by his kennel, and he will be even happier to go on a walk with you and then join you on the bench for some snuggle time. Petey is a good walking buddy who doesn’t mind taking the lead. Petey always looks like he’s smiling, which just makes you want to smile back!

Petey is a little cutie

Petey is also playful. He had a fun time running around the off-leash run with his kennelmate, Joanie (who is such a gentle sweetheart), and kept going back to the fence to say hi to the dog on the other side. Petey is another pooch who could go to a home with or without another dog. If you’re looking for a smaller furry friend who will stay by your side, come in soon and say hi to Petey!

Petey will happily join you on the couch in his new home

Fidelis the two-year-old Mountain Cur mix is very cute, but very shy. She spent the first half of our walk with her tail tucked between her legs, but the more time we spent together, the more she started to come out of her shell. By the end of our walk, her tail was up! Fidelis just needs a little more time to warm up to strangers, but a nice scratch on the neck is a good starting point.

Fidelis is a pretty little lady

Since Fidelis is on the shy side, she’s also pretty slow-moving, which made for an easy walk. She didn’t pull on the leash and I was happy to let her decide which direction we took. She enjoyed sniffing around the off-leash run and investigating the different toys that were there, though she didn’t try to play with any of them yet. This little sweetie just needs someone she can trust, and she will love that person forever. If you think that person might be you, come in soon to meet Fidelis!

Fidelis wondering about the sock monkey toy

I also saw Abby, Clint, Delilah, Dezzie, Diamond, Ebbie, Rocky, Rosco, Shamrock, Shard, Sweet Pea, Tom-Tom, Topaz, and Wilbur.

And don’t forget that the Orphans of the Storm® Pooch Parade is coming up quick–Saturday, October 18! Start filling out your pledge sheets and thinking of great costumes for your pooch!