Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Wish You a Happy Holiday Season

If you asked Santa for a doggy this year but didn’t get one, don’t worry! There are plenty of dogs at Orphans of the Storm®, all of whom are more than happy to join you for the rest of the holiday season, and for many holiday seasons to come!

Wanda the one-year-old black Labrador Retriever mix is a big bundle of love. The first thing she did when I took her out of her kennel was give me a doggy hug before we made our way to the off-leash run. When we were in the run, she continued to be her snuggly self and spent most of her time next to me. She even rolled over for a belly rub, which you can tell she enjoys because her tail wags the entire time.

Wanda enjoying exploring

Wanda seemed politely interested in the dog in the run next to ours and played a racing game. She has a bit of a limp on one of her front legs, which may be from an old injury that didn’t heal properly, but it doesn’t slow her down in the slightest. Wanda walked pretty well on the leash and is just a happy dog looking for a loving home where she can spread that happiness every day. If you’re looking for a new companion, come in soon to meet Wanda!

Wanda loves those belly rubs

Daisy the eleven-year-old Parson Russell Terrier could use some extra cheering up this holiday season. The owner that she had been with her entire life got sick and couldn’t care for Daisy anymore, so now Daisy is looking for a new home in which to spend her golden years. But don’t let her age fool you! Daisy still has plenty of pep in her step and will be a fun, lively companion.

Daisy still has plenty of pep in her step

Daisy is an easy dog to get along with. She walks well on the leash, she politely sniffed the bigger dog in the run next to ours, and she enjoys getting attention. She’s a gentle girl, and such a cutie! Daisy has years and years of experience as a pet, so she will easily settle into a new home. Stop by the shelter soon to see if Daisy is the pooch for you!

Daisy is a little cutie

Buster the three-year-old Golden Retriever/Labrador Retriever mix is a dog that will bring a smile to your face. He’s a happy, playful guy who just wants to have fun. He had a good time trying to get Aubrey to play with him from the other side of the fence (though Aubrey didn’t accept his invitation) and was interested in the different toys in the run. Although he’s a mix of two retrieving breeds, he hasn’t quite mastered the art of “fetch” yet–but there’s still plenty of time for him to learn!

Buster is a handsome boy

Buster, in addition to being playful, is also very cuddly. He practically rolled into my lap while I was petting him and happily joined me on the bench for more snuggling. Buster’s happy personality will make him a happy addition to any home. He currently shares his kennel with Skipper (see below), so he could go to a home with or without another dog. On your next visit to the shelter, say hello to Buster!

Buster getting in touch with his retrieving genes

Skipper the seven-year-old Shepherd mix is such a sweetie. He’s a very gentle, easy-going dog who does well on the leash and will gladly join you for long walks. Skipper currently shares his kennel with Buster (see above), so he could go to a home with or without another dog as well. He was even friendly with Stevie (who has since been adopted, hurray!), who is much smaller than Skipper.

Skipper has such unique coloring

Skipper is a very attentive boy who likes to keep an eye and ear on things. He was interested in the sounds the squeaky toy was making and chased after it, but didn’t exactly ‘fetch’ the toy. When I sat down on the bench, he hopped up next to me and took a seat so I could spend some more time petting him. Skipper has such a sweet face, and such pretty coloring! Stop by the shelter soon to meet Skipper!

Skipper is always interested in what’s going on

I also spent time with Shasta (who walks so well on the leash and wags her tail whenever someone gives her the attention she deserves), Scotty (who is so gentle), Topaz (who gives great doggy hugs and is so affectionate), Corky (who knows his basic commands very well), and Ebbie (who has spent far too long at the shelter and just hopes for a home for the holidays).

Orphans of the Storm® Young Dogs

People sometimes say that you can’t find puppies at shelters, but Orphans of the Storm® is here to prove them wrong! There are a number of young dogs at the shelter right now who are more than ready to spend the rest of their lives in a loving home.

Stevie the seven-month-old Beagle mix is super cute and super snuggly. His vision isn’t the best, which you can tell by his cloudy blue eyes, but that doesn’t slow him down at all. In fact, if I was just watching Stevie from a distance, I would have never guessed that his vision is impaired. He romps and plays just as much as any other puppy. The only thing he ran into was me, and that’s only because he kept leaping into my lap!

Stevie in his lapdog mode

Stevie is just so friendly and good-natured. He had no problems with me picking him up and carrying him, and even gave me some doggy kisses while I did so. He quickly switches between cuddle-mode and play-mode, as puppies are known to do, and he politely sniffed the dogs on the other side of the fence while we were in the off-leash run. Stevie may need a little extra attention to make sure he doesn’t get himself into trouble, but any extra effort would be well worth it for a dog as wonderful as Stevie. If you think Stevie might be a good fit for your home, come in soon to say hello!

Stevie is just so adorable

Milly the ten-month-old Belgian Malinois mix may be a big puppy, but she is definitely still a puppy. Her favorite activity seems to be running at full speed. If you’re looking for a running partner to keep you motivated, Milly would probably be an excellent choice! She also loves to play, and found a tennis ball for herself underneath the bushes in the off-leash run that she brought back to me.

Milly with her tennis ball

Once Milly got the chance to stretch her legs and run off some of that puppy energy, she settled down and turned into quite a snuggler. When she was back on the leash, she stood close to me and even started to lean against my legs so I could pet her more. She gave me a few excited doggy kisses and had her tail wagging all over the place. Milly doesn’t want to spend any more time in a kennel; she just wants a home (and preferably a yard!) that she can call her own. If you’re looking for a playful pooch, stop by the shelter and meet Milly!

Milly running in the run

Peppermint Patty the one-and-a-half-year-old Catahoula mix has the perfect name for the holiday season (though, of course, her new owners are welcome to change it). Peppermint Patty was a little shy and skittish at first, and mostly kept to herself the first few minutes we were in the off-leash run. But after she got used to me being around, she was happy to get some attention and didn’t shy away when I pet her.

Peppermint Patty showing off her pretty eyes

Peppermint Patty is a pretty girl, with the extra-special look of one blue eye and one brown eye (like Clint!). She was originally sharing her kennel with another dog who has since been adopted, so she could go to a home with or without another pooch. If you come to the shelter to meet Peppermint Patty, understand that she might take a little longer to warm up to you than some of the other dogs–but once she does, she’ll be your best friend!

Peppermint Patty keeping an eye on things

I also saw CK, Ebbie, Gus, Honey Lamb, Lucky, Ranger, Scotty, Tom-Tom, and Zoey.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Celebrate the Season

It’s the holiday season right now, but it’s always the right season to adopt a new furry family member! The dogs at Orphans of the Storm® are ready to celebrate the holidays with a family to call their own. Several of the dogs I met this week recently lost their original homes, but that just makes them all the more ready to join a new one!

King the five-year-old Shepherd mix is such a good boy. He was super easy to take out of his kennel, and super easy to put back in. He walks pretty well on the leash, though he was a little shy and skittish when we first started our walk. King is a handsome boy, too, with a bit of a fox-like appearance and soft, fluffy fur.

King is so handsome

King started off by exploring the run on his own, but after a few minutes he warmed up to me and became such a snuggler! He attempted to climb into my lap and leaned all of his weight against me while I pet him, and he even gave me a few doggy kisses. This sweet boy will become such a loyal companion to his new owner. Come in soon to see if King is the pooch for you!

King being a snuggler

Gordon the five-year-old black Labrador Retriever mix has encountered some bad luck, but is hoping that good luck is on its way. Gordon’s original owner lost his home, so that means Gordon lost his home too. The good news is that Gordon has five years of experience as a pet, and is more than ready to show potential adopters what a good boy he can be.

Gordon’s a good boy

Gordon is very mellow when he’s inside his kennel, spending most of his time snoozing on the doggy bed. But when he’s out and about, it’s like a flip gets switched and he becomes an active pup who just wants to run and play. Gordon joined me on the bench for a quick cuddle but was soon off romping again. Gordon was previously sharing his kennel with a smaller dog who has since been adopted, so we know he gets along with dogs and people alike. Stop by the shelter soon and turn Gordon’s frown upside down!

Gordon at attention

Yona the two-year-old black Labrador Retriever mix was very excited to come outside for a walk. He’s one of those dogs whose entire body wiggles when he wags his tail, and his tail wags plenty! Yona is a little smaller than the average Lab, but despite his smaller stature, he still likes to be the leader.

Yona loves to go for walks

Yona has plenty of energy, considering he’s still young, and would love a family who can play with him and take him on nice walks. Yona sometimes pulls on the leash a bit when there’s a particular direction he wants to go in, but he was walking better the longer we were out. Come in soon to say hi to Yona!

Yona is always on the move!

Joy the seven-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix came from a family that had a total of five dogs, which they realized was maybe too many. But what that means for potential adopters is that Joy has a lifetime of experience living in a home and sharing with other four-legged family members. She walks great on the leash and knows some basic commands. She’s home-ready!

Joy coming over to say hello

Joy is a volunteer favorite because she’s so easy to get along with and so well-behaved. She had a fun time exploring the off-leash run and politely greeted the dog on the other side of the fence. Joy has a kidney condition that staff at the shelter can help explain, but it certainly isn’t slowing her down! If you’re looking for a dog with being-a-pet experience, come in soon to meet Joy!

Joy is such a pretty girl

Aubrey the four-year-old Shepherd mix is yet another dog who came from a family. Unfortunately, Aubrey stopped getting along with the family cat, so she will need to be the only pet in her new home. Aubrey is a big, lovable girl with a big, loving heart that she is ready to share with her new family.

Aubrey in the winter sun

Aubrey is well-trained: she is a good leash-walking buddy (though she does walk at a quick pace, since she takes big steps!) and knows her commands. She’d ideally like to have her own yard to explore. This sweet girl will happily be your cuddle-buddy during the cold winter months. Come into the shelter soon to see if Aubrey is right for you!

Aubrey had the perfect pose, except her eyes were closed!

I also saw Corky, Ebbie, Javan, Lucky, Ranger, Rocky, Rosco, Scotty, Shogun, and Zoey.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs in the Run

There were many happy adoptions over the past week, but there are many more dogs who are eagerly waiting for their new family to find them at Orphans of the Storm®!

Streeter the one-year-old Terrier mix is a happy pup who is always so polite when he greets people at his kennel, and he’s equally polite when he’s out on a leash or romping in the run. Streeter may be young, but he already seems to know his manners and is a pretty good walking buddy.

Streeter in the sunshine

Streeter is a fun pup who would enjoy having a backyard to explore and a companion to walk with. He had a fun time making a path for himself underneath the bushes, but would come back to me every few minutes for a reassuring scratch on the back. Streeter’s coloring is very unique, so he’s sure to catch your eye as you make your way through the shelter. If you’re looking for a younger dog who is more than ready to fit right in with his new family, visit the shelter soon and say hello to Streeter!

Streeter is such a cutie!

Bogie the six-month-old black Labrador Retriever mix is definitely still a puppy. He’s all about running and playing, and has plenty of that puppy exuberance. Bogie was eager to race any dog that came into the run next to ours, but was just as content to race against himself when he didn’t have a competitor. Bogie has not quite mastered the concept of “fetch,” but he does enjoying playing with toys, so the “retrieving” part of his DNA should kick in eventually!

Bogie playing with a basketball

Bogie is enthusiastic about everything. He was so enthusiastic about cuddling with me that he knocked my camera right out of my hand (my fault for not having the wrist strap on). Bogie launched himself onto the bench while I was sitting there and tried to climb all over me and wriggle his way into my lap. Since Bogie is still just a pup, he would certainly benefit from the structure and socialization that comes with obedience classes. If you’re looking for a fun-loving puppy, stop by the shelter soon to meet Bogie!

Bogie on the move

Willow the six-year-old Lhasa Apso mix may look familiar to you, because I wrote about him back in October 2013. He was adopted by a single older woman shortly thereafter, who unfortunately can no longer care for him, so Willow is back looking for his third chance at a furever home. Willow is a very mellow dog who is equally happy going for a stroll around the neighborhood and snoozing on a doggy bed.

Willow is so precious

Willow has the softest fur ever. I have never pet another dog with fur like his. You’ll just want to snuggle with him all day! Willow also has the most adorable face. He has a little bit of an underbite, so his bottom teeth sometimes stick out. Willow is currently sharing his kennel with Gypsy, so he could go to a home with or without another dog, though he would probably prefer if the other dog was close to his size. If you’re looking for a snuggly new friend, come in soon to meet Willow!

Willow can surely sport a variety of handsome hairdos

I also saw Corky, Diamond, Dezzie, Ranger, Topaz, Tucker, and Zoey (who just loves to play and give doggy hugs).