Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Want to Ring in the New Year with You!

At the end of each year, I like to revisit some of Orphans of the Storm®’s dogs who have been waiting a little longer than most for their turn at a forever home. The list below is by no means complete, and these dogs have waited anywhere from a couple months to several years. I spent a few hours with them this week and we had a great time walking around the woodland preserve and hanging out in the off-leash run.

Zoey the five-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix knows her basic commands. She can sit, heel, drop, come, and probably some others I haven’t tried out myself yet. She also likes to play and is happiest when she has a toy with her. I’ve heard some people hypothesize that Zoey is part Husky (due to her coloring), which makes sense to me because she loves to run. One of Zoey’s endearing traits is that her teeth chatter when she’s excited.

Zoey

Bella the twelve-year-old Boxer mix is one of my favorites, and she has been for a long time. I take her out almost every week now. Bella is one of the biggest dogs at the shelter, but she’s very easy to walk. Since she’s older, she’ll let you know when she’s walked long enough and is ready to turn back. But she does enjoying spending time outside, even if it’s just laying in the yard. Bella isn’t a fan of other dogs and would need to be the only pet in her new home, but she loves people and will give you plenty of affection.

Bella

Lucy the fourteen-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix does not act her age at all, so don’t dismiss her as being a couch potato. Lucy walks at a quick pace (and will occasionally even run for a bit) and jumps on and off benches with ease. Lucy is a big snuggler and will plop herself into your lap and wriggle around excitedly while giving you lots of doggy kisses. She makes funny snuffling noises when she’s happy, and several volunteers refer to her as “the alien” because of her cute bulging eyes.

Lucy

John Boy the four-year-old Labrador Retriever mix is a great walking companion. He’ll jump up and down in excitement when he realizes it’s his turn to go out, but once the leash is on, he settles down and just enjoys being out and about. John Boy enjoys a good scratch on the back. He’ll sniff your face a bit and once he decides that you’re worthy, he’ll gladly give you doggy kisses. John Boy would do best in an adult-only home with experienced dog owners who can make sure John Boy lives up to his potential for being a great pet.

John Boy

Noah the two-year-old Hound mix is another great leash-walker. We took a nice stroll around the woodland preserve and stopped every once in a while for a pat on the back or scratch under the chin. Noah isn’t overly affectionate (in that he won’t cover your face with doggy kisses all the time like some other dogs would), but he will stay by your side and join you on the couch. Noah would prefer to be the only dog in an adult-only home.

Noah

Sammy the two-year-old Labrador Retriever mix loves to play tug-of-war, but she doesn’t really care about winning. Every time I let go of the toy, she would stop and look at me like, “Hey, that’s not how it works,” and then poke me with the end of the toy so I would grab it again. She knows commands like  “sit” and “shake” and can even catch treats in midair. Sammy is a big-time snuggler and will attempt to climb into your lap whenever she gets the opportunity.

Sammy

Some other long-timers who would like to make 2017 the year they find their forever home are:

• Aleck
• Barney
• Blush
• Coal
• Courage
• Diamond (watch her night out with volunteers)
• Honey Lamb (watch her night out with volunteers)
• O’Shea
• Puggie
• Roxy (watch her night out with volunteers)
• Scotty
• Thunder (watch his night out with volunteers)

The shelter is closed on New Year’s Day, but we hope to see you in 2017 and help you find your new best friend!

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Have a Snow Day

Another day of snow meant another day of fun with the dogs at Orphans of the Storm®!

Lightning the six-year-old Golden Retriever mix fits his breed description well because he just loves being with people. Lightning is a big fan of giving doggy hugs: I got one when I first took him out of his kennel, got another when I told him we were going for a walk around the trail, got a third when we finished our walk around the trail, and got one more at the very end when I was trying to put him back in his kennel (he wanted to stay outside with me instead).

Lightning enjoying a snuggle session

Lightning enjoyed romping in the snow and didn’t even mind when he ended up with a big clump of it on the tip of his nose. He snuggled with me for a bit when we were in the off-leash run and gave me a few doggy kisses. When we got to the woodland preserve, Lightning was off and running. We ran almost the entire way around, with just a few pauses to sniff. If you’re looking for a fun and active companion, come in soon to meet Lightning!

Lightning was happy about the snow

Geraldine the two-year-old Mountain Cur mix is very cute and very sweet. She waited patiently for the leash to be put on, but as soon as the kennel gate opened, she was ready to go! Geraldine also wanted to run the entire way around the woodland preserve. (I’m not sure if this is just because it was snowing and she was excited/cold or if she would regularly like to go for runs.)

Geraldine with a snowy nose

Geraldine and I then spent some time in the off-leash run. Geraldine seemed a little confused when the dog in the run next to ours kept barking at her, but she didn’t bark back or seem to mind much. Geraldine put her front paws on my lap when I knelt down next to her and she gave me a quick doggy kiss. Be sure to say hi to Geraldine on your next visit to the shelter!

And Geraldine with a blurry nose!

Rose the five-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog/Labrador Retriever mix is another fan of the snow. She doesn’t hesitate to stick her nose right into a snow pile. When we were in the off-leash run, Rose would always come running over to me any time I knelt down. Rose absolutely loves getting her hips scratched. She does a cute little happy dance and will turn back and look at you if you stop before she wants you to.

Rose made several funny faces

Rose will happily give you doggy kisses once she gets to know you. She preferred to walk quickly around the woodland preserve, rather than run, and overall did nicely on the leash. She was more interested in sniffing around the snow-covered tree trunks and shrubs. Rose wasn’t too eager to go back inside her kennel and kept looking at me like, “Let me stay with you instead!” If you think you could be the one for Rose, stop in soon!

Rose on the move

I also saw Bella, Blaze, Coal, Courage, Festus, John Boy, Lucy, Noah, Roxy, Wombat, and Zoey.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs in the First Snow of the Season

We had the first snow of the season this past weekend, and plenty of the dogs at Orphans of the Storm® were excited to play in it. (Apologies for the blurry photos. Snow and camera lenses do not mix well!)

Juno the three-year-old Husky mix was my first choice before I even arrived at the shelter because I knew there was a Husky and I knew he would love the snow! As we made our way around the woodland preserve, it was easy to imagine Juno pulling a sled through the Alaskan wilderness. Juno kept looking back at me like, “Come on! Keep up!” There are few things more joyful than a Husky on the first day of snow.

Juno got some snow on his nose

Juno also enjoyed exploring the off-leash run. He didn’t hesitate to stick his nose in the snow and snuffle around. Juno would do best in a household that will keep him both physically and mentally active. When I saw him out with another volunteer last weekend, it seemed like he knew some basic commands like “sit” and would be ready to learn more. Stop in soon to meet Juno!

Juno in his element

Indy the one-year-old Mountain Cur mix has lots of energy. She spent the first few minutes in the off-leash run racing the dog on the other side of the fence. She then went exploring through the bushes. But eventually she realized that I was there to give her lots of attention. Indy leaned her body against my side and tucked her head under my arm while I pet her.

Indy on the move

Indy was eager to go around the woodland preserve. As soon as we walked through the gate, Indy and I were off and running! I think it was a combination of being excited about the snow and also wanting to warm up. Indy is currently sharing her kennel with another dog, so she could go to a home with or without another furry friend. Come in soon to meet Indy!

Indy enjoyed racing along the fence

Dodson’s Dude the three-year-old Mountain Cur mix can be a little on the shy side at first, but the longer you’re with him, the more he warms up. Dodson’s Dude is more of a methodical sniffer: he doesn’t usually move too fast, and he makes sure he smells everything. He spent a lot of his time in the off-leash run exploring underneath the bushes.

Dodson’s Dude didn’t realize the snow would be so deep!

Dodson’s Dude would come check in with me every so often to get a nice scratch on the back. He watched when I threw a tennis ball, but hasn’t quite grasped the idea of “fetch” yet. Dodson’s Dude doesn’t seem overly fond of other dogs, but I could divert his attention back to me. He walked nicely on the leash without much pulling. Stop by soon to see if Dodson’s Dude is the dude for you!

Dodson’s Dude has such a sweet face

Noah the two-year-old Hound mix can be a little bark-y inside his kennel, but don’t let that deter you! He just wants to grab your attention. He didn’t bark once when we were together outside. Noah is a good walking companion and would often look up at me to check in and make sure we were on the same page. He would sniff around occasionally, but mostly just trotted next to me.

Noah is a handsome boy

Noah loves getting attention. He’ll stay by your side as long as you’re petting him and will happily give you some doggy kisses in return. He seemed to get a little cold while we were out, so maybe his new owners can get him a cute doggy sweater! Noah would do best as the only pet in an adult-only home. If that description fits your home, come in soon to say hello to Noah!

Noah was ready to head back inside

I also saw Astrid, Bella, Blush, Diamond, Hank, Roxy, Wombat, and Zoey.

Take Orphans of the Storm® Dogs for a Walk

Whether you’re looking for an older dog, younger dog, or middle-aged dog, Orphans of the Storm® has them all! Stop by the shelter and take them for a walk around the woodland preserve so you can get to know them.

Maggie the two-year-old Border Collie/Great Pyrenees mix is a happy, beautiful girl. She greets everyone with a wagging tail. I thought because of her size she might be a little hard to walk, but it turns out that Maggie is a gentle giant. She walks great on the leash and mostly stays by your side or just walks a few steps ahead without any pulling. We took a stroll around the woodland preserve and she enjoyed sniffing her way through the brush.

Maggie is happy on her walks

Maggie was always happy to take a quick break from our walk to get a good scratch on her hips or behind her ears. Maggie loves people and gets along well with kids, so she would be eager to join a family. Maggie would prefer to be the only dog in her new home, but she didn’t seem to mind dogs too much when we were just passing them from a short distance on our walk. Stop by soon to meet Maggie!

Maggie’s pretty face

Pixel the five-year-old Bluetick Coonhound mix is a fun girl who likes being with people. We started in the off-leash run, where Pixel first followed her nose around like a Hound should. She soon joined me on the bench and gave me some doggy kisses while I scratched her back. She gladly stayed by my side as long as I was petting her.

Pixel showing off her spots

Pixel was very excited to go around the woodland preserve. She was ready to forge her own path through the forest and kept looking back at me, wondering why I wasn’t letting her have her fun! (You have to keep to the trail, is why.) But when Pixel did stay on the trail, she was a good walking buddy who didn’t pull much. Come in soon to see if Pixel is the pooch for you!

Pixel enjoys the outdoors

Tino the one-year-old American Bulldog mix looks like an oversized French Bulldog, with his smushed nose and perky ears. A face like his is guaranteed to make you smile! Tino is a sweet boy, but he’s easily excitable and can jump up on people when he says hello. Since he’s still young, he’ll need a family who will help him learn his manners and teach him to wait for an invitation before he gives a doggy hug.

Tino has the most precious face

Tino is very snuggly. He loves getting his hips scratched and will do a cute little dance while you do that. Whenever I sat on a bench or knelt on the ground, he put his front paws on my legs and snuffled around my face. Tino can pull on the leash sometimes and liked having the freedom to scamper around the off-leash run. Say hello to Tino on your next visit to the shelter!

Tino doing some exploring

Blaze the eleven-year-old Treeing Walker Coonhound mix has that signature Hound howl. If he happens to be in the outside part of his kennel when you arrive at the shelter, you’ll hear him before you see him! (He doesn’t bark much when he’s inside.) Blaze walked nicely on the leash, but he didn’t seem too eager to be out in the cold so we took an abbreviated walk.

Blaze isn’t too sure about this cold weather

Blaze wants you to know that senior dogs are great dogs! In his case, he’s looking for a nice home where he can curl up in a comfy bed and enjoy his golden years. Blaze likes getting his floppy ears pet and will stay by your side to soak up the attention. If you think an older dog might be a good fit for you, come in soon to meet Blaze!

Blaze on the move

I also saw Bella, Blush, and Scotty.