Orphans of the Storm® Doggy Love-Bugs

Frigid temperatures and a snowstorm prevented me from going to Orphans of the Storm® two weeks ago, but this weekend was a vast improvement that made for perfect dog-walking weather!

D’Rose the one-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix could certainly live up to her name and become a great athlete (assuming she was in fact named after Bulls player Derrick Rose). This cute girl has plenty of energy and spunk, and she loves to play! She was able to keep herself pretty entertained while we were in the off-leash run, but checked back in with me every so often for a doggy hug or a nice scratch under the chin.

D’Rose has such an expressive face

D’Rose walks nicely on the leash when there aren’t any distractions around. At one point, she cutely tried to chase birds’ shadows on the ground (which I suppose is better than chasing actual birds!). D’Rose has very pretty coloring, with a mostly-white head and mostly-black body, so she’ll certainly catch your eye as you walk through the kennels. If you’re looking for a young and playful pooch, come in soon to see if D’Rose is the one for you!

D’Rose coming in for a snuggle

Nala the six-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever mix may look like a couch potato based on her being a little overweight, but looks can be deceiving! Nala, in fact, loves going for walks and is an excellent walking companion. She didn’t pull once the entire way around the walking trail, which is 1/3-mile long! So once she’s in a home where she gets regular exercise, it should be pretty easy for her to lose those extra pounds.

Nala, walking companion extraordinaire

Nala is very affectionate. Soon after we started our walk around the trail I stopped and knelt down to her level, and she immediately came right to me and covered my face in doggy kisses. Nala also gets along with other dogs and was previously sharing her kennel with another dog who has since been adopted. Labs were just named the #1 most popular dog breed in America for the 25th year in a row, and Nala is a great example of why. Be sure to say hi to Nala on your next visit to the shelter!

Nala liked investigating the plants

Bruce the one-year-old Mountain Cur mix is super adorable. I knew as soon as I walked past his kennel that I wanted to take him out, because he was so happy! Bruce did a pretty good job of walking on the leash as we made our way to the run. He had a fun time romping around off-leash and politely sniffed both of the dogs who were on the other side of the fence.

Who loves belly rubs? Bruce loves belly rubs!

Bruce is an incredibly snuggly dog. As soon as I sat down on the ground, he got into my lap (as best he could, considering he’s not exactly lap-sized) and kept wriggling around. Eventually he rolled all the way over so he could get a belly rub. He was so thrilled that all four paws kept kicking the air–I couldn’t help but laugh, it was so cute. Stop by the shelter soon to meet Bruce!

Bruce likes being outside

Matt the ten-year-old Border Collie mix is such a sweetie. He wasn’t too sure about coming out with me at first, so I sat in his kennel with him for a little bit so he could get to know me. I eventually put the leash on and we headed out. I learned that Matt loves getting his chin scratched, so as long as you do that he will follow you anywhere!

Matt enjoying the fresh air

Matt needs a lot of reassurance. Every few feet along our walk, he would stop and lean against my leg, looking up at me with his pretty brown eyes until I pet him and told him he was doing a good job. Even when he was getting his official portrait taken for the Orphans of the Storm® website, he would often look at me instead of looking at the camera! (You may see yours truly on his page :-).) He was very gentle about taking treats from the photographer and didn’t even mind wearing a bandana. Matt has all the makings to be a loyal companion; he just needs someone to give him a chance. If you think that someone might be you, come in soon to meet Matt!

Matt is always attentive

I also saw Bear, Blush, Bootsy, Candice, Lisa, and Old Red.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Ready to Be Your Valentine

Valentine’s Day is just a few days away! What better way to celebrate than by welcoming a lovable new furry friend into your home? The dogs (and cats) at Orphans of the Storm® have so much love to offer, and would be so happy to receive your love in return!

Chiquito the two-year-old Parson Russell Terrier mix was very eager to come outside with me. He may have little legs, but don’t let that fool you–Chiquito is a fast guy! He was happy to take the lead as we made our way around the walking trail. As long as you’re a fast walker too, though, Chiquito doesn’t really pull on the leash. Chiquito is super cute, with ears that perk straight up when he’s interested in something and a curly tail that he holds high in the air.

Chiquito loves going for walks

Chiquito sort of did his own thing while we were on our walk around the trail, but when we went to the off-leash run afterwards that’s when he showed his snuggly side. It was a little chilly, so I scooped Chiquito into my arms to give him some extra warmth and he was happy to be held. Chiquito’s breed is an active one, so Chiquito would prefer to go to a home that will keep him busy. Stop by soon to see if Chiquito is the pooch for you!

Chiquito’s cute curly tail

Marley the two-year-old Labrador Retriever/Mastiff mix is a big boy with a big heart. I was a little nervous that he would pull me over once I put his leash on, but in fact he walks nicely on the leash. Marley loves pretty much everybody. We passed several people on our way to the off-leash run and Marley greeted all of them with so much of a wagging tail that his entire body was wriggling with happiness. There is no way you can meet Marley and not have a smile on your face.

Marley’s big, lovable face

Marley is super affectionate. He loves to give people doggy hugs and, since he’s so tall on his hind legs, he can easily give you doggy kisses at the same time because his big face is right there next to yours! Marley is also a playful pooch. He had a fun time racing the dog in the run next to ours, and enjoyed chasing and chewing on a tennis ball. He hasn’t been at the shelter for long, but he’s already a volunteer favorite. If you’re looking for a big lovebug, come in soon to meet Marley!

My pictures do not give Marley’s adorableness justice

Shyanne/Cheyenne the six-year-old Hound mix is a pretty girl with lots of love to offer. She was ready to come outside for a walk and pulled on the leash a bit at first because she was so excited, but by the end of our visit together she had settled into a nice walking companion. Shyanne/Cheyenne has those lovey-dovey Hound eyes that will make sure you take a second look at her.

Shyanne/Cheyenne the sweetie

Shyanne/Cheyenne is a real sweetheart with people. Shortly after we got to the off-leash run, she came walking over to where I was kneeling and rested her chin in my lap so I could pet her. Although Shyanne/Cheyenne attends play group and is getting better with being around other dogs, she would still prefer to be the only dog in her new home. But with a dog as sweet as Shyanne/Cheyenne, one is all you need! Come in soon to see if Shyanne/Cheyenne is the dog for you.

Shyanne/Cheyenne following her nose

Shadow the one-year-old Labrador Retriever mix is definitely still in her puppy phase, which makes her so much fun to be around! She believes everything is a toy, including the leash, jacket sleeves, and boots (even while they’re still on a person’s foot)–but she’s happy to be distracted by an actual toy, like a tennis ball. Shadow will need some training, but that’s true for any young pup. And since Shadow is so playful, she’ll think the training is just another type of game!

Shadow’s ready to snuggle

Shadow is a cuddly girl. She tried to jump up on the bench next to me but isn’t quite coordinated enough yet, so I moved down to the ground and she gave me doggy kisses. Shadow does the cute puppy-type thing where she’ll run and run and run and then suddenly plop down because she tired herself out so fast. Don’t let her initial puppy craziness turn you off right away–she’s just happy and excited and wants to play! Stop by soon and say hello to Shadow.

Shadow playing with a real toy

Boomer the five-year-old Terrier mix convinced me to take him out because he was quietly sitting and wagging his tail at me when all of the other dogs around him were barking and jumping. I thought good manners should be rewarded, so I brought him out for a walk! Boomer continued to show that he has good manners by walking nicely on the leash as we made our way to the run.

Boomer has a cute face

Boomer has a very unique look. I’m not sure if it’s the result of a bad haircut or it’s just his natural look, but he has a “mane” of much longer fur around his shoulders, while the fur on the rest of his body is short. Either way, it’s both cute and funny. Boomer also has a very sweet face. He was a little shy at first, and was more interested in sniffing the dog in the run next to ours, but eventually he came over to me and enjoyed a good scratch on the back. Poor Boomer was not eager to go back to his kennel at the end of our visit, and I wasn’t eager to put him back either! Be sure to say hi to Boomer on your next visit to the shelter.

Boomer says, “The sun is so bright!”

I also saw Angel, Blush, Bootsy, Clarinet, John Boy, Lisa, Rooney, Showtime, and Zoey.

Orphans of the Storm® Smaller Dogs

One of the benefits of going to a shelter to find your next family member is that there is so much variety! At Orphans of the Storm®, you can find dogs of all shapes and sizes. This week I walked some dogs who are on the smaller side, and they are all adorable!

Roxy the ten-month-old Hound/Beagle mix (not to be confused with the other Roxy) has plenty of puppy energy. The off-leash runs were occupied when I took her out, so instead we headed for the walking trail which, in Roxy’s case, was more of a running trail! We ran around the first half or so and then stopped at one of the benches, where Roxy enjoyed poking her nose in the bushes and last few bits of remaining snow.

Roxy doesn’t mind the snow

Roxy walked a bit better once she got that initial burst of energy out of her system. We stopped a little farther along the trail so I could scratch under her chin, and she gave me a little doggy kiss in return. Roxy loves getting attention just as much as she loves playing. Roxy also likes other dogs, though sometimes she can get extra-excited and bark at them, saying, “Play with me! Play with me!” A cute little puppy like Roxy won’t be at the shelter for long, so come in soon to say hello!

Roxy was feeling adventurous

Chalito the two-year-old Beagle mix is super cute. There were several potential adopters who asked me, “Which one is that?” while I was out with him because he was catching everyone’s eye. Chalito seems like a pretty easy-going pooch. He walked nicely on the leash and took his time meandering around the off-leash run, just enjoying being outside.

Chalito following his Beagle nose

Chalito can also be pretty snuggly once you get to know him. He came up to me after a few minutes and leaned against my legs while I pet him, and didn’t seem to have any interest in moving from his comfy position. Chalito is currently sharing his kennel with another dog, so he could go to a home with or without another furry friend. Stop by the shelter soon to meet Chalito!

Chalito is a cute little boy

Peanut the three-year-old Chihuahua mix will immediately make you smile because his ears are about two sizes too big for his little head. Peanut was a little nervous at first and not too eager to have his leash put on, but we soon got moving and made our way to the off-leash run. Peanut stopped a couple of times along the way to voice his opinion but overall he walked pretty well on the leash.

Peanut showing off his giant ears

Peanut is very cuddly. I sat down on the ground so I could be closer to his level, and he climbed right into my lap and gave me lots of doggy kisses. We probably could have stayed like that all afternoon. Peanut also doesn’t mind being picked up, though I’m not sure how he feels about heights (he wasn’t too excited to be up on the bench to get his portrait for the website). Peanut is currently sharing his kennel with fellow Chihuahua Mimi, so he could go to a home with another dog. If you’re looking for a cute and cuddly companion, come in soon to meet Peanut!

Peanut will never be far from your lap!

I also saw Angel, Barney, Blush, O’Shea, and Winter. I didn’t feature Winter when I wrote about some of the shelter’s long-timers at the end of 2015 (see Part I and Part II), so I’m going to write about how wonderful she is here! Winter was already hanging out in the off-leash run when I got to the shelter this week. I let myself into the run and Winter came when I called her, put her front paws in my lap, and covered my face with doggy kisses. Winter is one of the most affectionate dogs at the shelter. We then went for a walk around the woodland trail and she had perfect leash manners. (She sometimes likes to play tug-of-war with the leash when she first gets out of her kennel, but I doubt she would do that in a home when she gets regular walks throughout the day.) Winter would need to be the only dog in her new home, but she is such a sweetheart with people. And she loves to learn and play! When we had the agility bridges at the shelter for a while, Winter loved going up and over. Winter has been waiting a long time for the perfect person to come in and find her. Maybe that perfect person is you!