Orphans of the Storm® Pups and Seniors

The dogs at Orphans of the Storm® come in all ages, but regardless of their age, they’re all looking for the same thing: a loving home with a family they can count on for the rest of their lives!

Zak the eight-year-old Husky/Labrador Retriever mix already has some gray fur around his nose, but that just helps make him look more dignified–while his “one ear up, one ear down” look will make you smile. Zak, being on the older side, is a very mellow pooch who walked nicely on the leash and was happy to just take a casual stroll.

Zak is a handsome fellow

Zak also enjoyed sniffing his way around the off-leash run. He mostly kept to himself at first, but we eventually were able to spend some time side-by-side while I pet his back. Zak seems like the type who would enjoy having a backyard to call his own, where he can spend time in the fresh air. If you’re looking for a gentle companion who is happy to just go with the flow, come in soon to meet Zak!

Zak enjoys the outdoors

Augusta the three-year-old Basset Hound mix is a very friendly girl who gets along with people and other dogs alike. Augusta enjoys just about everything, from cuddling in your lap and covering your face in doggy kisses to chasing after toys and romping around gleefully. She is currently sharing her kennel with another dog, so she could go to a home with or without another pooch.

Augusta is always ready to cuddle

Augusta‘s tail is wagging pretty much constantly. If her adorable, unique look doesn’t make you smile (which is highly unlikely), her personality absolutely will. Augusta had a great time chasing after one of the toys in the off-leash run, though she hasn’t quite mastered the idea of “fetch” yet, and watching her run is just too cute. Augusta is sure to bring joy to whoever is lucky enough to adopt her. Come in soon to see for yourself!

Augusta, post-water-bowl

Georgie the one-year-old Beagle mix is an exuberant little pup. As soon as I went inside her kennel to put the leash on, she was jumping up and down and trying to get into my lap. Once the leash was on and the gate opened, she was ready to go! Georgie happily led the way to the off-leash run and had a great time playing.

Georgie being silly

Georgie is currently sharing her kennel with Rodney (see below), so she could go to a home with or without another dog. Georgie would also do best in a home with just adults or a family with teenage children. A young dog like Georgie could definitely benefit from some training, and she seems like an eager learner who would be happy to pick up whatever her future owners want to teach her. If you’re looking for a fun and active pooch, come in soon to say hi to Georgie!

Georgie is a cutiepie

Rodney the eight-year-old Catahoula Leopard Dog mix has been at the shelter for a couple months already because he was being treated for heartworm–but now he has a clean bill of health and is ready to be adopted into his forever home! Rodney is a little on the shy side and needed some convincing to come out on the leash with me, but his kennelmate Georgie (see above) was there to support him and that seemed to help.

Rodney may be shy, but he knows when to smile!

Rodney has very unique markings and coloring, and even has one blue eye to go along with his uniqueness. Rodney will need an owner who can build his trust and give him an extra boost of confidence so he’s able to come out of his shell. By the end of our visit together, Rodney went from “head down, tail down” to head up and smiling for the camera! Stop by the shelter soon to give Rodney some much-needed TLC.

Rodney showing off his one blue eye

Leo the one-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is a handsome boy with extra-pretty eyes. He’s new to the shelter, so he was a little unsure about coming outside and walking on the leash. He started out a bit shy and nervous, but after just a few short minutes, this sweet boy turned into quite the snuggler, complete with wagging tail and lots of doggy kisses.

Leo looking proud

Leo quickly realized that he could snuggle with any of the other volunteers we came across. He’s definitely a leaner (meaning he’ll lean all of his body weight against your legs/side/wherever while you pet him) and close is never close enough! Leo is still a puppy, so he does give some gentle nibbles when he’s extra excited. This cute little guy just needs someone to show him that the world isn’t a scary place. If you think that someone might be you, come in soon to meet Leo!

Leo getting used to walking on the leash

I also saw Bear, Blush, and Winter.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Will Snuggle in Any Weather

It was the first snow-less day at Orphans of the Storm® in a long time, and the dogs were happy to be out and about without fear of snowy paws!

Rusty the two-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is a fun, good-natured boy. He’s strong, but even so, he walks well on a leash and seems eager to please people. Rusty kept to himself for the first few minutes we were in the off-leash run, but he soon realized that I was there to cuddle and play with him. Rusty loves getting a good scratch on his hips and will gladly stay by your side as long as you’re petting him.

Rusty looking dapper

Rusty also enjoys playing with toys. He found a seahorse-shaped squeaky toy and proudly carried it around. He was also good at fetching it, and didn’t seem to get possessive over the toy. Once Rusty gets to know you, he will shower you with affection, including lots of doggy hugs and doggy kisses. If you’re looking for a happy and playful new companion, come in soon to meet Rusty!

Rusty loved playing with his seahorse toy

Nutmeg the one-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix still looks and acts like a puppy, meaning she is both adorable and exuberant. She was literally jumping up and down in excitement when I came over to her kennel with the leash. Nutmeg will need a bit of leash training from her new family, because right now she likes to think that the leash is a tug-of-war toy.

Nutmeg is a playful little girl

Nutmeg had a good time exploring the off-leash run and keeping an eye on the birds that were hiding in the bushes. After she had the chance to stretch her legs, she came over to me and attempted to climb into my lap so we could snuggle. She gave me some happy doggy kisses in the process, her tail wagging the entire time. Nutmeg knows she would be a great addition to someone’s home. If you think that someone could be you, stop by the shelter to meet Nutmeg!

Nutmeg coming over to cuddle

Oak the ten-year-old Shepherd mix could definitely use some cheering up right now. He lost his home and is hoping that someone new will welcome him into theirs. Oak is a senior dog, so that means he is extremely mellow and easy to get along with. He walks well on the leash and enjoys the outdoors.

Oak is very regal

Oak is probably one of the best-looking dogs at the shelter at the moment. He is so soft and fluffy, with really beautiful coloring. He enjoys a good petting, and you will certainly enjoy petting him! Oak has a bit of a stiff leg, but that doesn’t stop him from getting around just fine. If you’re looking for a calm, gentle dog to be your new companion, come in soon to see if Oak is the one for you!

Oak’s fluffy fur makes him an ideal snuggle buddy

Tulip the five-year-old Chow Chow mix is a little nervous right now. She was abandoned by her previous owners and has had it a little rough, based on the burs and matting you can find in her fluffy fur. But after a few minutes of gentle petting and soothing words, Tulip started to warm up and that tail started to wag. (Regarding the drool in Tulip’s pictures, I think it was mostly because she was nervous.)

Tulip also knows all about being fluffy

Tulip, despite her hardships, is pretty easy to get along with. She walks well on the leash and she’s currently sharing her kennel with another dog, so she could go to a home with or without a furry friend. This sweet girl just wants to love and be loved in return, which really isn’t asking for much. Stop by the shelter soon to meet Tulip!

Tulip was smiling by the end of our visit

During this visit, I re-fell in love with Clint (not that I had fallen out of love with Clint, but I just hadn’t spent time with him in a while). Clint is the pooch sharing his kennel with Tulip, so I took them both out simultaneously. When I sat down on the ground, Clint came right to me and rolled over for a belly rub. He then rested his head on my legs and promptly fell asleep. I haven’t seen such a content look on a dog’s face in a long time. If you’re looking for a snuggly lapdog, look no further than Clint!

Clint, happy as a clam

I also saw Tucker, Tom-Tom, Skipper, Sandy, Roxy, Honey Lamb, Diamond, Courage, Boston, Blush, and Bella.

Orphans of the Storm® Long-Timers, and an Adoption Update!

All of the new dogs I walked this week have been adopted already, which is wonderful! So I don’t have any new pooches to introduce you to this week, but I did spend some time with a few great Orphans of the Storm® long-timers who are all waiting for their new families to find them.

Bella the nine-year-old Boxer mix is the perfect definition of “gentle giant.” She would prefer to be the only pet in her new home, but with people she is just the sweetest. She walks great on the leash, enjoys snuggling, and knows some basic commands since she’s been a family pet before.

Blush the five-year-old Labrador Retriever mix is a fun girl. I don’t know if you’ll find a dog who loves snow more than Blush. She literally dives head-first into snow and tunnels her way through, then throws snow into the air with her nose. She’s a good mix of wanting to run and play, and then settling down to cuddle.

Ebbie the fifteen-year-old Shepherd mix is Orphans of the Storm®’s longest long-timer. At this stage in her life, all Ebbie is looking for is a nice, comfortable home where she can relax and be loved. She doesn’t need long walks or lots of activity, just a family that will take good care of her.

Lucky the ten-year-old Border Collie mix is another great senior, but a senior who doesn’t act like one at all. He is always ready to go out and play. Just this week, he jumped right into a snow pile and started wriggling and rolling around like a puppy.

Tom-Tom the nine-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix is one of my favorite dogs at the shelter. How can you not love a dog that looks like a baby hippo?! He looks a little intimidating, but under all that muscle is the biggest softie. Tom-Tom is so affectionate and just loves to give hugs and be close to people. He’s also pretty friendly with other dogs.

Winter the nine-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix is another affectionate pooch. She will cover your face in kisses if given the opportunity. She is an excellent walking companion and loves nothing more than going on long, strolling walks where she can just enjoy the outdoors. Winter doesn’t like other dogs, but absolutely loves people.

Also, today marks my Cooper’s third adoptday from Orphans of the Storm®! Since his one-year update:

He sometimes still isn’t super eager to go for walks

But we have learned how to share the couch

Cooper discovered that my bed is a warm and comfy spot to sleep in the winter

And he’s as cute as ever!

Thank you for bringing us together, Orphans of the Storm®!

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

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Enjoy the Winter Sunshine

It’s been a chilly week, but the dogs at Orphans of the Storm® were still plenty eager to come outside and play in the snow!

Azul the three-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is an extremely handsome, well-behaved boy. He might look like a lot to handle at first glance, if you’re judging on size alone, but he knows his manners and is actually a very good walking companion. He seems like a pretty mellow guy who is more interested in spending time with his people than anything else.

Azul in the snow

Azul may be a pooch who needs booties to protect his paws in the winter, because he wasn’t too keen on staying in the snow in the off-leash run for long. So instead, we took a nice walk around the snow-free parking lot pavement. Azul has beautiful coloring and warm eyes that are clearly saying, “Pick me!” Stop by the shelter soon to see if Azul is the one for you!

Azul is such a handsome boy

Chola the two-year-old Hound mix is quite the cutie. I may be biased in favor of Hounds, but it’s because they have such sweet faces! Chola is no exception. She happily led the way on our walk and had a great time exploring the off-leash run, though she made sure to come back to me every once in a while to check in and get a nice scratch on the ears. She even put her front paws in my lap for a bit so we could snuggle some more.

Chola’s cute face

Chola is currently sharing her kennel with another dog who is about the same size as she is, but she would probably prefer to be the only pet in her new home. She had a fun time racing the dog on the other side of the fence when we were in the off-leash run, but it would be a good idea to take it slow when introducing her to other dogs in your neighborhood (which is true for all dogs, really). If you’re a one-pooch type of person, come in soon to meet Chola!

Chola keeping an eye on things

Skippy the eleven-year-old Miniature Pinscher mix is such a little sweetie. He hasn’t been at the shelter for very long, but he’s quickly become a volunteer favorite. Even though he’s probably sad and confused right now, since he lost his home, he’s still in high spirits and ready for his second lease on a happy, loving life. Considering the fact he’s a smaller breed, eleven really isn’t that old, and his actions prove that.

Skippy is a little cutiepie

Skippy may have little legs, but that doesn’t stop him from jumping right into snow piles that are as tall as he is. Skippy also seems pretty calm when it comes to being around other dogs. Bella (whose head is about the same size as Skippy’s entire body) was barking at him on the other side of the fence, but Skippy just sniffed her and went on his merry way. If you’re looking for a smaller companion to brighten your day, stop by soon and say hello to Skippy!

Skippy being silly

I also saw Cinder, Ebbie, Skipper, Tom-Tom, Trixie, Winter, and Zha Zha.