Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Are Eager to Head Home

Orphans of the Storm® will be closed on Monday for Memorial Day, but you can still come in this weekend to find your new best friend! There are dogs big and small, older and younger, all ready to head home with you.

Brutus the two-year-old Labrador Retriever mix is a handsome and fluffy boy. He was very excited to come out for a walk and was happy to lead the way. He pulled on the leash a bit at first, but we soon found a walking pace that worked for both of us and enjoyed making our way around the woodland preserve trail. Brutus is definitely a sniffer. His nose was either along the ground, in a bush, or at the base of a tree trunk.

Brutus has such a sweet face

Brutus will gladly take a break from that to snuggle with you, though! He gave me a few doggy kisses while I was taking his picture. When we got towards the end of the trail, we stopped by a bench and Brutus stood next to me while I pet him. He particularly enjoys getting his hips scratched and does a little dance. He’ll also lean his head into your hand while you scratch his ears and neck. Brutus gets along with adults and children alike, so if you’re looking for a family companion, come in soon to meet him!

Brutus following his nose

Randy the three-year-old Terrier mix is always on the move. He could barely contain his excitement when he realized it was his turn to go out and was jumping up and down inside his kennel. Many of my pictures of Randy are just a brown blur because he thought he had more important things to do than stand still and get his photo taken! I wish I had gotten better pictures, though, because Randy is super-cute with his oversized ears.

Randy on the move

Randy has that signature Terrier spunk. He was always exploring and kept a close eye on the people and dogs we passed. He took the lead on our walk and probably was wishing I would walk faster to keep up with him! Eventually he slowed down long enough for me to scratch his chin, but we were off again soon after. Randy is a bit on the skinny side right now, so his new family can certainly spoil him with plenty of treats when he gets home. If you’re looking for lots of personality in a small package, come in soon to meet Randy!

Randy says, “Please try to keep up!”

Lucy the fourteen-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is in a particularly sad situation because her original owner became homeless and could no longer take care of her. Nothing would make Lucy’s golden years shine even brighter than joining a new home! She may have a mostly gray snout, but Lucy certainly does not act like a senior. She hopped right out of her kennel and was ready and rarin’ to go on our walk.

Lucy smiling for the camera

Lucy is super adorable. She’s much smaller than most dogs in her breed and has these big bug eyes (which I mean as a compliment). Lucy is an affectionate girl. She hopped up on the bench next to me–again, not very elderly-like–and gave me lots of kisses while I pet her. Then we just sat next to each other for a few minutes, enjoying the sun and the fresh air. If you’ve been thinking about opening your home to a senior, stop by soon to see if Lucy is the one for you!

Lucy loves being with people

I also saw Blush, Courage, Diamond, O’Shea, Weezie, and Zoey.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Want to Meet You

It was another busy (but cold!) day at Orphans of the Storm®, so that meant more walks around the woodland preserve with the dogs this week.

Mini Me the ten-year-old Jack Russell Terrier mix may technically be a senior, but don’t let her age or her small stature fool you. Mini Me took the lead on our walk and often looked back at me like, “Why aren’t you moving faster?” We didn’t make it all the way around the trail, but on a warmer day I’m sure Mini Me would be fine with staying out much longer.

Mini Me’s cute face

Mini Me can be on the shy side and was a little skittish at first. But after we were together for a while, she realized that getting a nice scratch under the chin wasn’t too scary and stayed by my side as long as I was petting her. Mini Me has cute spots, including some on her ear that look like a paw print–which is the same as one of the most famous Jack Russells! Stop by the shelter soon to see if Mini Me could be the next mini you!

Mini Me says, “Come on, we have places to go!”

Billie Bob the two-year-old Hound mix was looking a little sad inside his kennel, but boy did that change as soon as he realized it was his turn to go out! Billie Bob greeted me with a wagging tail and we went on our merry way. Billie Bob showed off his Hound characteristics, following his nose along the trail and wanting to chase birds that flew across our path (which I didn’t let him do, to his disappointment).

Billie Bob’s “I’m ready to snuggle” face

Billie Bob is a “paws-on” type of dog. At one point, the leash got stuck behind his front leg. I lifted up his paw to fix it, and rather than putting his foot back down, he just stood there with his paw in my hand for a few moments. He’s also very snuggly and joined me on the bench for a while, where he gave me plenty of doggy kisses. This sweet boy is ready to shower his new family with affection. If you think that might be you, come in soon to meet Billie Bob!

Billie Bob romping freely

Sounder the five-year-old Treeing Walker Coonhound mix has been at the shelter for a few months, but he recently got a clean bill of health and is now ready to head home! When I opened the doggy door in his kennel so he could go to the outside section, Sounder responded happily with that signature Hound baying. Although Sounder is a big boy, he walks nicely on the leash and barely pulls at all.

Sounder on Hound patrol

Sounder is an absolute sweetheart. When I sat down on the bench about halfway around the trail, Sounder first just put his front paws on the bench next to me and sniffed the air. I invited him to come up next to me, which he did, and he rested his chin on my shoulder while I pet him. He then tried to climb into my lap, which didn’t work too well considering his size, but it’s the thought that counts. Sounder may be one of my new favorites, and another volunteer told me that Sounder is the best Hound he’s seen in a long time. Stop in soon to see for yourself what a great dog Sounder is!

Sounder in his element

Sirus the five-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix is one of the most handsome dogs at the shelter right now. Not only does he have a pretty silvery-blue coloring, but he also has one blue eye and one brown eye. It’s a very striking look that you won’t be able to miss when you walk through the kennels! Sirus can pull on the leash a bit when he first gets out, but that’s just because he’s so excited to be with somebody.

Sirus is a good boy

Sirus is a fetch-player extraordinaire. You can see for yourself in this video (which only includes 2 fetches out of many!):

As you can see, Sirus drops the toy right at your feet. He was also fine with me petting him while he chewed on the ball for a bit. Overall, Sirus seems like a happy boy. His tail wags almost constantly and he isn’t shy about giving doggy kisses. Sirus came from an owner, so he already has experience being in a home and being a companion. If fetch is one of your favorite games too, come in soon to meet Sirus!

Sirus ready to play fetch

Leroy the one-year-old Labrador Retriever/Heeler mix is an adorable pooch who is, unfortunately, scared of pretty much everything at the moment. If there are loud-ish noises, Leroy freezes and flattens himself as close to the ground as possible. The good news is he responds well to kind words and encouragement! He’s definitely a fan of snuggling and feels more comfortable the closer he physically is to someone.

Leroy says, “Love me!”

Leroy perked up tremendously once we made it to the woodland preserve, where it was just us and nature. His tail, which had previously been tucked between his back legs, slowly untucked and eventually started wagging. He was alert and sniffing along the trail like any normal dog. When we stopped for a break, Leroy leaned in and rested his head against me while I pet him. This sweet boy just needs someone to show him that the world can be a happy place rather than a scary one. Leroy could go to a home with or without another dog. When I returned Leroy to his kennel, he and his kennelmate had the happiest reunion I’ve ever seen between two dogs. If you think you can help Leroy come out of his shell, come in soon to meet him!

Leroy enjoying his walk

I also took Blush for a walk around the trail.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Happy to Be Your Buddy

It was a very happy Mother’s Day weekend at Orphans of the Storm®–33 dogs found their forever homes! Because it was so busy, I wasn’t able to spend time in the off-leash run with the dogs I took out this weekend, but I did get to go on lovely walks around the woodland preserve with them.

Chula the two-year-old Mastiff mix is a big (and I do mean big) sweetheart. She is not at all shy when it comes to showing her affection for people. As soon as she came out of her kennel, she gave big doggy hugs to me and another volunteer. When we were making our way around the trail, we passed a family walking another dog and Chula made sure to greet each person, her tail wagging nonstop. Although Chula can certainly throw her weight around when she wants to, she walks nicely on the leash the majority of the time.

Chula has an adorable face

Chula joined me on the bench for a break about halfway around the trail and gave me lots of doggy kisses. While Chula absolutely loves people, she doesn’t get along quite as well with other animals and would do best as the only pet in her new home. But with a dog as big and lovable and loving as Chula, one is plenty! If you think Chula might be the dog for you, come in soon to say hello!

Chula enjoying her afternoon walk

Queen the one-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is a lovebug. It was almost impossible to get a full-body picture of her because every time I knelt down, she would jump right into my lap and cover my face with doggy kisses. To say that Queen is affectionate is an understatement! She’s also a great size for snuggling–not too big, not too small.

Queen hanging out in my lap

Queen is super adorable. She has one ear that sticks straight up and one ear that flops over to the side. She’s a pretty good walking companion who didn’t pull much as we made our way around the trail. When I sat down on the bench, Queen put her front paws in my lap and rested her head against me while I scratched her ears and neck. Be sure to say hello to Queen on your next visit to the shelter!

Queen with her one ear sticking up

Astrid the two-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix will definitely catch your eye as you make your way through the shelter. She has very pretty coloring and the cutest semi-smushed face. Astrid is another example of a good walking buddy. She’s more of a sniffer, so she moves at a slower pace because she generally keeps her nose to the ground or stops to smell the trees and bushes.

Astrid is photogenic

Astrid is also a snuggler. She hopped up onto the bench next to me and gave me some doggy kisses, then just relaxed by my side for a little bit before we continued on our walk. Astrid doesn’t seem overly fond of other dogs, but again, she’s very fond of people! Another volunteer recommended I take her out, so she already has a fan club. Stop in soon to meet Astrid!

Astrid leading the way on our walk

Princess the two-year-old Labrador Retriever mix has a very appropriate name. When she walks, she is so poised and elegant! Everyone this week walked nicely on the leash, but Princess takes the cake. She didn’t pull once the entire time we were out. She also seems like a pretty mellow dog. I didn’t hear her bark at all, either when she was inside her kennel or when we were out and about.

Princess’s face of contentment

Princess came from an owner whose landlord said no more dogs, so she already has experience living in a home and being a companion. She wasn’t overly affectionate, but since she moved from a home to the shelter it’s understandable that she would be a little shy and confused. She was happy to stay by my side while I pet her, though, and seemed to enjoy being outside and getting some sun. Come to the shelter soon to see if Princess is the pup for you!

Princess getting some springtime sun

I also saw Blush, Bootsy, Clarinet, Diamond, Honey Lamb (who is such an affectionate girl), Nancy, and Weezie (who got the most adorable lion haircut).

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Who Found Their Forever Home, Part XIV

Here is another happy success story! Dan sent us some pictures of his dog Django (formerly Pongo), who was adopted from Orphans of the Storm® in January 2013. Here is what Dan had to say about his experience:

As a guy who has lived in Deerfield/Riverwoods for 36 years, I had passed Orphans of the Storm® for decades. I had always gotten my dogs from Lambs Farm and loved them all (three Labs and a Beagle ). However, in January of 2013 we lost our Yellow Lab and wanted to get another dog to keep as a companion to our other Lab.

My sons suggested we go to Orphans rather then Lambs Farm. I was hesitant at first, but once I walked into Orphans, we all spotted Django and knew we wanted him.

Picture of me and Django at Orphans below.

He immediately took well to his new home, and we loved him immediately. He’s an amazing dog, so smart and so loving. Thank God for Django, and Orphans.

Thank you for sharing your stories and pictures with us, Dan!

If you would like to share your Orphans of the Storm® adoption success story here on the blog, please email meetthepooches@gmail.com.