Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Ready to “Spring” into Your Heart

It’s been a big week for adoptions at Orphans of the Storm® (hurray!), so I’ve ended up with just two new dogs to introduce you to today. But they are two excellent pooches–as are all of the pooches at Orphans of the Storm®!

Kipsey the one-and-a-half-year-old Husky mix is an absolutely beautiful girl. Her dark fur has some silver to it, so she literally glows! Kipsey also has that pretty blue eye/brown eye combination. If you are looking for a new running partner, look no further than Kipsey. Huskies were bred to run and run and run, and that’s exactly what Kipsey loves to do. (She’ll even be happy to go running with you come winter!) We ran straight to the off-leash run, and then Kipsey got a chance to race Jasmine on the other side of the fence.

Kipsey taking a water break

Kipsey isn’t just a champion runner, though–she’s also a champion snuggler! Kipsey will happily give you doggy hugs and kisses. When I knelt down next to her, she curled around so she could lean on me. Kipsey is an adventurous girl who likes to investigate and stay in-the-know. Kipsey gets along with older children (10 years and up) and would love to go to a home with a family as active as she is. If you think that family might be yours, come in soon to meet Kipsey!

Kipsey on the move

Mya the six-year-old Australian Cattle Dog mix caught my eye right away because of her pretty coloring and her sweet demeanor. When I walked up to her kennel, she greeted me with a wagging tail and then put her paws up, saying, “Pick me!” How could I resist? Mya had spent the previous day at Orphans of the Storm®’s spot in Northbrook Court, so we know that she gets along with pretty much everybody.

Mya loves going on walks

Mya is an easy-going companion. She walked nicely on the leash and enjoyed having the chance to stretch her legs and do some exploring. She also loves getting plenty of attention from people and will give you an adorable doggy smile while you scratch her ears or chin. Stop by the shelter soon to see if Mya is the pooch for you!

Mya coming in for a cuddle

I also saw Bella, Cooper, Courage, Daka (who, despite his big size, was doing wonderfully with a little girl!), Gus, Javan, Rock (who, lest you forget, went to doggy boot camp and knows plenty of commands), Shamrock, Trixie, and Winter.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Will Love You

Thank you to everyone who attended or donated auction items for the Orphans of the Storm® Benefit Dinner on Monday! The theme was “Who Rescued Whom?” and we got to hear some very heartwarming adoption success stories. If you would like to share your own Orphans of the Storm® adoption success story here on the blog, please email meetthepooches@gmail.com.

Here are just a few of the many dogs benefiting from the funds raised!

T-Bone the four-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is super cute. I can’t resist a wrinkly forehead, and T-Bone’s forehead is extra wrinkly and adorable. T-Bone is a sweet boy who really blossoms when he receives positive attention. Whenever I pet him, his tail would immediately start wagging and not stop until I stopped.

T-Bone is too cute

T-Bone is a big boy, but seems to be pretty well-behaved. He pulled a little on the leash when he first got out of his kennel, but that’s to be expected. T-Bone had a fun time playing with Roxy (who was in the off-leash run next to ours) through the fence, but he didn’t seem too interested in playing with any of the tennis balls. T-Bone knows he’s ready to join a family–all he needs is the right family to come in and find him!

T-Bone racing along the fence

O’Shea the four-year-old black Labrador Retriever/Pit Bull Terrier mix is another cutie with a wrinkly forehead. O’Shea would definitely benefit from having a family that will take him on daily walks and spend time playing with him. He had a good time exploring the off-leash run and going under and around the bushes, and ran after the tennis ball when I threw it (though he didn’t pick it up or bring it back).

O’Shea says, “A little to the left.”

O’Shea is definitely a people dog. Once he knows you, he will happily greet you with a doggy hug and give you plenty of doggy kisses. O’Shea would do best as the only pet in his new home, since he usually isn’t a fan of other dogs, but one O’Shea will give you all the love you need! Stop by the shelter soon to see if O’Shea is the pooch for you.

O’Shea knows he’s a handsome boy

Zoey the three-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix (not to be confused with the other Zoey) came from a family who could, unfortunately, no longer keep her. That means that she has a lifetime of experience as a family pet, and it shows. Zoey is very well-behaved: she walks nicely on the leash, knows some basic commands, and is housebroken. She’s family-ready!

Zoey is a good leash-walking buddy

Zoey needs to be the only pet in her new home, but she does well with children. In fact, she was featured on the Orphans of the Storm® Facebook page a few weeks ago, with a picture of her surrounded by a group of kids. Zoey is also a very pretty girl (she could practically be Hachi‘s twin sister). Zoey ended up at the shelter through no fault of her own; she knows she can make you fall in love with her if you give her the chance. Come in soon to meet Zoey!

Zoey has such interesting coloring

Kayne the six-year-old Mastiff is an absolute gem. I can’t say enough good things about him (which can be vouched for by my family and friends, who have kindly listened to me talk about him for days now). Kayne was adopted a while back, but returned because his family could no longer care for him. Kayne is a very easy dog, but before you decide to bring home a dog this size, it’s important to consider things like the cost of all the food he’ll need.

Here comes Kayne!

Kayne is the epitome of a gentle giant. He walks nicely on the leash, even though he could easily pull you over if he wanted to. He is very much a snuggler, even though the only part of him that could fit in my lap was his giant face. He’ll sit right by your side and give you slobbery doggy kisses (emphasis on ‘slobbery’). Kayne also does well with other dogs of all sizes; he currently shares his kennel with Tulip but previously shared a home with a Dachshund! Kayne is just the biggest sweetheart. If you have the space in both your home and your heart, stop by soon to meet Kayne!

Kayne’s ginormous face that you just have to love

I also saw Arnold, Azul, Bear, Blush, Cooper, Courage, Diamond, Gus, Jasmine, Javan, and Rosco.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Are Happy for Spring

Spring has finally arrived at Orphans of the Storm® and all of the dogs were happy to spend some extra time outside, enjoying the warm sunshine.

One quick reminder before we meet this week’s pooches: The Orphans of the Storm® Annual Benefit Dinner is this Monday, April 20. I hope to see you there!

Sky the eight-year-old Husky mix is such a handsome boy. Surprisingly, he was found as a stray, wandering around on his own! He must have been part of a home at some point in his life, though, because he is very well-behaved. After an initial burst of excitement when he first gets out of his kennel, he settles into a nice walking companion.

Sky enjoying the springtime sun

Sky is a super snuggly pooch. When I knelt down next to him, he put his head in my lap and then curled around so he was practically sitting on me. As long as you’re petting him, Sky will stick by your side. When I sat down on the bench at one point, he put his front paws up on the bench next to me and gave me a quick doggy kiss. It’s hard to know how Sky ended up as a stray, but one thing is clear–he’s ready to be your new best friend! Stop by the shelter soon to meet Sky.

Sky joining me on the bench

Smoochie the one-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is appropriately named because she’ll give you lots of doggy kisses if given the opportunity. When you stop by her kennel, her entire body starts wriggling with happiness and she’ll enthusiastically kiss your hand.That enthusiasm continues once she’s out and about.

Smoochie smiling for the camera

Smoochie is still very much a puppy, which means she has plenty of energy and would definitely benefit from some obedience training. Sometimes she’s pretty good at leash-walking, and sometimes she gets excited and starts to pull. Smoochie would have a great time with a family that will give her plenty of love and attention and playtime. Also, just look at that face! Come in soon to see if Smoochie is the one for you.

Smoochie loves romping in the grass

Freddy the five-year-old Golden Retriever probably isn’t going to be at the shelter for very long, because it’s pretty rare for purebred Goldens to end up in shelters. Goldens are known for being friendly and easygoing, and Freddy definitely has that in him, but he needs a little more time than most. He’s very nervous inside his kennel (understandably), but once you get him outside it’s like he’s a whole new dog.

Freddy is so pretty

Freddy is an affectionate boy. When I knelt down next to him a few minutes into our walk, he put his front paws in my lap and covered my face in doggy kisses. Then he happily stayed right there while I pet him. Even a few people visiting the shelter commented on how much happier Freddy was when he was in the off-leash run versus inside his kennel. Freddy would like to be the only pet in his new home and would prefer to be in an adult-only home with people who will help give him a confidence boost. If you think you could be that person, stop by soon to meet Freddy!

Freddy relaxing in the off-leash run

Sailor the six-year-old Jack Russell Terrier mix is a staff favorite who can often be found hanging out behind the desk in the front office. He’s a very sweet boy who can start off a bit timid, but warms up the longer he spends with you. Sailor is an incredibly easy walking buddy; he doesn’t pull at all, but his little legs can move quickly enough to keep up with anybody.

Sailor is just too cute

Sailor has such an adorable face. He’s definitely one of those dogs that will get a lot of “aww”s when you take him out for a walk in your neighborhood. When I sat down on the ground next to Sailor, he put one paw on my leg and gave me a tentative sniff. Later, when we were in the off-leash run, he liked standing underneath my legs while I sat on the bench–and he eventually hopped up to join me on the bench, too. If you’re looking for a little cutie, look no further than Sailor!

Sailor is ready to be your companion

I also saw Luciano, Azul, Blush, Cooper, Rosco, Spooky, Topaz, Zoey, and Winter.

Orphans of the Storm® Good Dogs on Good Friday

Orphans of the Storm® dogs are always good dogs, but they’re even better on Good Friday! The shelter will be closed on Sunday for Easter, but you can visit today or tomorrow and welcome a new family member home for the holidays!

Heaven the two-year-old Jack Russell Terrier mix is a little cutie who loves to be with people. She was a little nervous when we first got outside and would duck her head a little when I pet her, but by the end of our visit she was happily putting her paws in my lap so we could snuggle some more. She also rolled over for a couple of belly rubs. It looks like Heaven might have had a bit of a rough start, based on the spots on her nose, but she’s more than ready to turn a new leaf.

Heaven has a cute little face

Heaven was previously adopted but returned for being “too active.” It’s important to research different breeds before bringing one into your home, because Jack Russells (and Terriers in general) are known for being active and like to be kept busy, whether it’s with obedience training or agility or just taking long walks. Heaven certainly enjoyed being outside and liked romping around, so she’ll do best with a family that is already active or looking for some new activities. If you’re looking for a fun little companion, come in soon to meet Heaven!

Heaven says, “Hey, what’s going on in there?”

Bianca the nine-month-old Hound/Labrador Retriever mix is pretty well-behaved for a puppy. She walked nicely as we made our way to the off-leash run and was very mellow even after she was free to roam. She enjoyed exploring behind the bushes and politely sniffed the dog on the other side of the fence.

Bianca is a sweetheart

Bianca kept to herself at first but soon realized that I was there to give her attention, which she happily accepted in the form of scratches under the chin and behind her ears. She even said “thank you” with a quick doggy kiss. Bianca is a cute girl who probably won’t get much bigger than she currently is, which makes her a great size for both cuddling and playing. Stop by soon to see if Bianca is the puppy for you!

Bianca enjoying a nice pat on the shoulder

Spooky the one-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is the absolute antithesis of his name–a more accurate name would be something like “Happy” or “Friendly,” because that’s what he really is! Spooky greets everyone with a wagging tail and will happily give you a doggy hug and kiss if he gets the opportunity. Whenever I knelt down to his level, he came hurrying over to cuddle.

Spooky is all about his tennis balls

Spooky is a playful young pup. He had a fun time racing Jarvis (also known as Cooper now), who was in the off-leash run next to ours. He also discovered a tennis ball and loved carrying it around. He was pretty good at playing fetch, too. A dog as happy as Spooky is sure to make his future owners just as happy. Stop by the shelter soon to say hi to Spooky!

Spooky loves to snuggle

Arnold the three-year-old Beagle mix is super adorable. I’ve heard more than one “aww” come out of people’s mouths when they stop by his kennel. Arnold is a very shy dog, though, and needs some time to warm up to new people. I was going to walk him last week but he wasn’t too sure about the leash–though when I held it out for him to sniff, he took it and used it as a chew toy. Silly pup! Arnold is currently sharing his kennel with another Beagle mix (who is even more shy), so he could go to a home with or without another dog.

Arnold is too cute

Arnold was more willing to walk on the leash this week, though, so we took a nice walk. Being a Beagle mix, Arnold mostly kept his nose to the ground and liked to give everything a good sniff before moving on. Arnold would probably prefer to be in a calmer, quieter home with owners who will help him come out of his shell and become the best companion he can be. On your next visit to the shelter, be sure to say hi to Arnold!

Arnold wondering if this is the last of the snow

Jasmine the four-year-old black Labrador Retriever mix is a sweet, well-behaved girl. She’s also a very affectionate girl who quickly joined me when I sat down on the bench in the off-leash run and gave me lots of doggy kisses. Jasmine likes to be with her people–so much so that she would prefer to go to a home where at least one person is around most of the time (i.e. works from home, or retired).

Jasmine is pretty in pink

Jasmine also gets along well with other dogs. She’s currently sharing her kennel with Hachi (who is another super affectionate pooch), so she could go to a home with or without another dog, especially since she enjoys having company! Labs are known for being loyal companions, and Jasmine is a great example of that. Come by the shelter soon to meet Jasmine!

Jasmine about to join me on the bench

I also saw Cooper, Blush, Winter, Tucker, and Trixie.