Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Looking for a Treat This Halloween

What better treat for an Orphans of the Storm® dog than to be adopted in time for Halloween? And in case you haven’t been following along on Instagram, several of the pooches got into the holiday spirit last weekend and modeled their Halloween costumes!

Axle the two-year-old Labrador Retriever mix is a friendly guy who likes to be with people and get plenty of attention. When we got to the off-leash run, Axle spent most of his time close to me so I could pet him, and he was happy to give doggy kisses in return. He has a cute face, with bonus cuteness when his ears perk up and his forehead gets wrinkly. Axle would prefer to be the only pet in an adult home.

Axle’s cute face

Axle absolutely loves to play fetch. Luckily there were two tennis balls in the off-leash run, so as soon as he picked up the first one I could throw the next one right away. Axle could even catch the ball in midair! There were a couple instances where he tried to pick up both tennis balls at once, but he quickly figured out it didn’t work that way. After lots of running around, Axle plopped down with both tennis balls in front of him and happily chewed on them while catching his breath. If you’re looking for a playful new friend, come in soon to meet Axle!

Axle having a great time playing fetch

Mimi the six-year-old Chihuahua mix may look like your typical purse dog, but don’t be fooled! This little lady would much rather walk around on her own four legs. She was always leading the way on our walk and had plenty of energy. Who knew such tiny legs could move so quickly?

Mimi enjoying her walk

Mimi also doesn’t mind getting a little dirty. It had rained earlier in the day and Mimi got her paws a little muddy while she had a good time digging in the dirt. Mimi seems to have a bit of “Small Dog Syndrome,” where she would start barking at much bigger dogs, but she didn’t react much when we passed another Chihuahua. Mimi has incredibly soft fur, adorable spots, and ears that are maybe a size or two too big 🙂 Stop by soon to say hi to Mimi!

Mimi showing off her big ears

Fitz the five-year-old Jack Russell Terrier mix is quite possibly the most lovey-dovey dog at the shelter right now. All he wants to do is snuggle. When we were in the off-leash run, he didn’t even do any exploring! He just stayed right by my side and leaned against my leg so I would keep petting him. He has the cutest little tail that wags all the time.

Fitz is a real cutie

Fitz is absolutely a lapdog. After we left the off-leash run, I took Fitz to a quieter spot and sat down on the ground. He immediately climbed into my lap, made himself comfortable, and gave me some doggy kisses. We could have stayed like that all afternoon! Even when I eventually stood up, Fitz tried to hold onto his spot. When I was leaving the shelter a while later, another volunteer was hanging out with Fitz in the front office, cuddling on the bench. If you’re looking for a snuggly new family member, come in soon to meet Fitz!

Fitz loves to cuddle

Giorgio the three-year-old Catahoula mix will immediately catch your eye when you walk through the shelter because he is stunning. Not only does he have bright, ice-blue eyes, but he has the most interesting markings! He’s half white and half blue merle. No doubt people will stop and ask about him when his future family takes him out for walks!

Giorgio’s piercing blue eyes

Giorgio was very eager to come out for a walk and romp in the off-leash run. He politely sniffed the dog on the other side of the fence, but mostly kept to himself and enjoyed being outdoors. Giorgio can be a little slow to warm up, but once he knows you he will quickly become your best friend and give you lots of doggy hugs and doggy kisses. For your next loyal companion, stop by the shelter and see if Giorgio is the one for you!

Giorgio’s handsome markings

I also saw Arnold, Bear, Blush, Cooper, O’Shea, Scotty, Showtime, Trixie, and Winter.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Enjoying Autumn

It was a beautiful fall day at Orphans of the Storm®, and the pooches were all happy to be out and about! (Apologies for pictures not being the best this week–I was having camera issues.)

Arnold the one-year-old Rat Terrier mix is a happy guy who is always eager to say hello to anyone who stops by his kennel. Since he’s practically still a puppy, he has plenty of energy and playfulness. Arnold quickly led the way to the off-leash run and enjoyed being free to romp and roam on his own once we got there.

Arnold’s cute nose

Arnold loves to follow his nose. He would disappear behind the bushes and I could hear him rummaging and snuffling around. Then he would reappear and stop by to say a quick hello before following his nose again on a new scent trail. Arnold could probably benefit from getting more practice with walking on the leash. When I had him out, he was so excited and wanted to see everything at once that he was pulling in different directions. But who can blame him? If you think this little cutie might be the one for you, come in soon to say hi to Arnold!

Arnold following that cute nose

Lucky the three-year-old Pointer mix (not to be confused with the other Lucky) is a handsome boy who likes to be with people. When I sat down on the bench in the off-leash run, Lucky was quick to hop up and join me. He was so enthusiastic about snuggling, in fact, that he tried (unsuccessfully) to fit in my lap. When that didn’t work, he settled for giving me lots of doggy kisses.

Lucky wondering about this camera contraption

Lucky was very interested in chasing after tennis balls, but hadn’t quite mastered bringing the ball back so I could throw it again. Although Lucky loves people, he isn’t a fan of other dogs and would prefer to be the only pooch in his new home. If you’re looking for a new companion who equally enjoys snuggling on the couch and playing outside, be sure to meet Lucky on your next visit to the shelter!

Lucky knows how to smile

Rambo the one-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is such an affectionate guy. As soon as I took his leash from another volunteer, Rambo wanted to give me doggy kisses. Rambo is pretty much all muscle, but he actually wasn’t too difficult to walk on the leash. He’s a young pooch with plenty of love to offer his new family.

Rambo enjoying a good scratch on the back

Rambo had a fun time in the off-leash run. He said a polite hello to the dog on the other side of the fence, explored behind the bushes, and paused for a nice drink of water. When I sat on the bench and tapped the open space next to me, Rambo put his front paws up there so he could give me some more doggy kisses. What a lovebug! Stop in soon to say hello to Rambo.

Rambo loves being with people

Pepper the six-year-old Shih-Tzu/Poodle mix is a little cutie who will look even more adorable after he gets a nice bath and haircut. When I went to Pepper’s kennel, he was sitting in the back corner, looking a little unsure. But as soon as I knelt down, he came right over and rubbed his side against my leg (like a kitty!). The info card on Pepper’s kennel says he isn’t too into snuggling, but if you give him a little time to warm up to you, he certainly enjoys attention. Pepper is currently sharing his kennel with Charlie (see below), so we know he gets along with other dogs.

Pepper was ready for his closeup

Pepper wasn’t too fond of walking on the leash at first and seemed a little nervous about being out in this new environment, but once we got to the off-leash run he seemed more comfortable and happily walked around. Any time I sat on the ground, Pepper was by my side almost instantly. Pepper would prefer to be in an adult-only home with people who will give him the opportunity to come out his shell and be the happy, affectionate pup he knows he can be. If that sounds like a good fit for you, come in soon to meet Pepper!

Pepper is one big fluffball at the moment

Charlie the four-year-old Beagle mix is pretty nervous at the shelter, but he warms up quickly once you spend some one-on-one time with him. Unlike his kennelmate Pepper (see above), he was more than ready to head out for a walk on the leash–luckily he was there to help convince Pepper! Since Charlie is on the nervous side, he’s actually a very easy walking buddy because he moves pretty slowly.

Charlie is looking for some TLC

Charlie wasn’t too interested in exploring the off-leash run. Instead, he spent his time either standing in my lap or getting pet by a customer (who was trying to convince her husband to get a small dog instead of a big dog). Charlie ended up at the shelter because his former family couldn’t take care of him anymore, which is why he seems so sad. Charlie is just hoping to find his loving forever home, which isn’t too much to ask. If you think that home might be yours, stop by soon to say hello to Charlie!

Help Charlie turn that frown upside down!

I also saw Bear, Blush, Cooper, John Boy, Kanne and Osito (Osito was being extra snuggly this week and sitting in my lap), Lisa, Scotty, and Zoey.

And I forgot to include this in last week’s video with Blush, but here’s a picture of the entrance to the new woodland preserve/walking trail!

Autumn is the perfect time to come walk dogs through the forest!

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Hit the Trail

The new Orphans of the Storm® woodland preserve and walking trail is officially open! Of course, who would I take for my first walk there other than my best walking buddy, Blush? Check out the video below to see how nice and tranquil this new space is. And also notice how much Blush’s tail is wagging! She absolutely loved it.

And here are some new pooches who would also be happy to join you for a walk!

Barney the three-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is such a friendly guy. When he realized that it was his turn to come outside, you could just see him thinking, “Oh boy!” His tail was wagging, but he still stayed pretty calm while he got the leash put on. Barney is a big boy, so he’s pretty strong and doesn’t mind leading the way on walks. When we got to the off-leash run, Diamond was already occupying the second one, and she and Barney sniffed each other politely through the fence.

Barney saying hello to Diamond

Barney is a very attentive boy. He was always looking through the fence to see what was happening. When it was time to get his official portrait for the Orphans of the Storm® website, it was a little challenging to get him to focus on the camera because he was too busy paying attention to everything else going on! Barney is an affectionate boy, too. He joined me on the bench for a while and enjoyed getting a good scratch on his hips and back. Come in soon to see if Barney is the companion for you!

Barney has such a lovable face

Chanel and Gucci the eleven-year-old Yorkshire Terrier mixes make for a super adorable pair. I originally thought they were brother and sister, but apparently they are boyfriend and girlfriend! Either way, they need to be adopted to the same home. You might think that eleven is pretty old, but for dogs as small as Yorkies it really isn’t. You would never guess that they’re into double-digits when you interact with them.

Chanel is so precious

Chanel, the girl with brown-and-silver fur, seems to be the more adventurous one. She was romping and exploring and doing her own thing while we were in the off-leash run. She even jumped up on the bench a few times, which I thought was going to be too big of a leap. But Chanel still enjoys having a person nearby, and climbed into my lap at one point for a quick cuddle session. She also had no problems with me picking her up when it was time to go back inside her kennel.

Chanel knows she looks good

Gucci, the boy with the brown-and-black fur, seems a little calmer. He would come back to me for a reassuring pat on the back every few minutes. When Chanel hopped onto the bench, Gucci kept his four paws on the ground. Gucci wanted to say hello to anybody we passed while we were on our walk.

Gucci is too cute to handle

These two pooches are too cute to pass up! If you’re thinking that two dogs might be too much for you, consider the fact that even if you combined Gucci and Chanel, they would still be smaller than most dogs 🙂 They’ve spent their whole lives together and are looking for a new, happy home that will love them both. Stop in soon to say hello!

Gucci wondering how Chanel got to be so tall

Opa the ten-year-old Mountain Cur mix may be older and have some gray fur on his face, but don’t let that deter you. Opa still has plenty of spunk! (Appropriately, “opa” is what people say during Greek celebrations and dances.) Believe it or not, this little guy with his little legs can hop over a fence! So, if you adopt Opa and have a backyard, it would probably be a good idea to supervise him, at least in the beginning while he’s still getting used to his new surroundings.

Opa loves going for walks

Opa is an affectionate boy who likes to cuddle. Whenever I knelt down next to him, he put his front paws in my lap and gave me doggy kisses. Opa is an excellent walking buddy who rarely pulled on the leash. He seems like a pretty happy, easy-going dog whose tiny tail wags the majority of the time. All Opa needs is a new, loving family who will help him enjoy his golden years! Come in soon if you think that might be you.

Opa also enjoys being a lapdog

Orville the ten-year-old Husky mix is a sweetheart. I wanted to take him out this week because he looked rather forlorn inside his kennel when I first walked past, and thought he could use some quality one-on-one time to cheer up. And cheer up he did! Orville had a good time hanging out in the off-leash run, following his nose and doing some exploring.

Orville is so fluffy

Orville is smaller than your average Husky, but his fur is just as soft and fluffy as you would expect. Since he’s getting up there in years, he doesn’t need too much activity to keep him happy–just some nice walks around the neighborhood a few times a day. Orville is very easy to walk on the leash and is a gentle boy overall. On your next visit to the shelter, be sure to say hi to Orville!

Orville was interested in the camera

I also saw Bear, Bella, Lexi, Nana, Roxy, Scotty, Zoey, and Zola.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Ready to Walk

For those who haven’t heard, tomorrow is a big day at Orphans of the Storm®! It’s the Official Opening of the Orphans of the Storm® Woodland Preserve. The dogs at the shelter will now have a great walking trail that takes them through the forest. If that sounds like an activity you would enjoy as well, you can sign up as a volunteer dog-walker! Here are some of the pooches who might enjoy walking on the new trail, or even better, taking walks with their new families!

Spot the one-year-old Jack Russell Terrier/Basset Hound mix is a cute, little, happy-go-lucky kind of guy. When we first got to the off-leash run, he was more interested in sniffing and exploring. But after a few minutes of getting his bearings and stretching his little legs, he came trotting over to me and we became fast friends. Spot is definitely a people dog!

Spot coming in for a doggy kiss

Spot is a super affectionate pooch. He hopped right into my lap and started giving me doggy kisses. He also sort of acts like a kitty, in the sense that he will rub his head and side against your legs until you reach down to pet him. He also gets along well with other dogs. He’s currently sharing his kennel with Zola (Chola) and they’ve become good buddies too. (And I will take this opportunity to say that Zola is also super affectionate and loves to be outside in the yard or on a walk. There were a few times where both of them were in my lap, giving me kisses simultaneously!) If you’re looking for an affectionate companion, come in soon to meet Spot!

Spot sitting by my side

Showtime the six-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is new to the shelter and therefore pretty nervous inside her kennel. But Showtime is another great example of why it’s important to take the dogs out for some one-on-one time rather than judge them from their kennel. As soon as she realized it was her turn to come out with the leash, her tail started wagging and she pretty much melted into the other volunteer’s arms.

Showtime has such a sweet face

Showtime can be a little shy, but she’s also very sweet. She didn’t do too much exploring in the off-leash run, but did some sniffing here and there. She enjoyed a nice scratch under the chin and was overall pretty mellow. When a different volunteer offered her some treats, she took them from her hand very gently. (But there was some doggy drool involved.) It even seems like she gets along with other dogs, based on the way she was sniffing other dogs both big and small through the fence and wagging her tail. On your next visit to the shelter, give Showtime a chance to show you what a sweetheart she really is!

Showtime keeping an eye on things

Donna the seven-year-old Miniature Pinscher mix is a little cutie. I actually wanted to walk her a couple of weeks ago, but she was napping and even when I opened her kennel she seemed more content to stay inside. But this week she was up and at ’em and ready to go for a walk! I have yet to meet a Miniature Pinscher I didn’t like, and Donna helped to support this.

Donna following her nose through the bushes

Donna, being more middle-aged, is a very calm girl. She strolled around the off-leash run, poking her head inside the bushes to see what smells she could find. Donna is another pooch who enjoys treats, but she’s a very methodical eater. Rather than inhaling a treat (like my own dog does), she chews off smaller pieces one at a time. I guess she’s figured out that means she can enjoy each treat longer! Stop by soon to say hi to Donna!

Donna munching on a yummy treat

I also saw Willow, Roxy, Nana, John Boy, Kanne and Osito, Gypsy, Courage, Blush, and Bear.