Orphans of the Storm® Dogs in Warm Weather

It felt more like May than February two weekends ago, and the dogs at Orphans of the Storm® were all eager for a chance to come out and enjoy the nice weather.

Wilbur the two-year-old Beagle mix was happy to lead the way as soon as his leash was on. We headed to the woodland preserve, where Wilbur enjoyed doing his Hound thing by keeping his nose mostly to the ground. Wilbur walks nicely on the leash (except for when it’s time to go back to his kennel, in which case he stops walking until you give him lots of petting and encouragement).

Wilbur enjoys a good scratch on the back

Wilbur likes to snuggle. He’ll gladly lean against you as long as you’re petting him. He also tried to climb into my lap at one point when I was kneeling next to him. Wilbur would do best in an adult home that doesn’t get too many visitors, but will be a loyal companion for his new owners. Come in soon to see if Wilbur is the one for you!

Wilbur leading the way on our walk

Brix the five-year-old Boxer/Plott mix has plenty of energy and is looking for an energetic family to match. Brix likes to give doggy hugs and will occasionally top it off with a doggy kiss. He’s a happy boy who knows how to smile for the camera. When he’s extra excited, he jumps up and down like, “Oh boy oh boy oh boy!”

Brix is happy all the time

Brix and I took a lap around the woodland preserve. Brix would have preferred to go at a faster speed and pulled on the leash a bit, but was also nice about turning around and waiting for me to catch up. Brix was sharing his kennel with another dog, so he could go to a home with or without another furry friend. If you’re looking for a new exercise buddy and playmate, come in soon to meet Brix!

Brix is an expert at making funny faces

Max the eight-year-old Great Dane and Rye the eleven-year-old Australian Cattle Dog mix are a bit of an odd couple, but an adorable and lovable one! The two came from a military family who was transferred and couldn’t take them along. Max and Rye have been together for years, so they need to be adopted together.

The perfect duo

Max is basically a horse. He’s probably taller than most people are if he were to stand on his hind legs. But Max is very gentle and easygoing. He mostly stayed near me when we were in the off-leash run. He particularly likes getting scratched on his hips and will do a little dance and/or lean against you. Max’s future owner can’t be too opposed to doggy drool, because Max makes a lot of it.

Max showing off his spots

Max’s big (cute) nose

Rye is smallish for a Cattle Dog and Max makes him look even smaller by comparison. Rye can easily walk underneath his big little brother. Rye doesn’t get too worked up over things. Another dog was barking at him on the other side of the fence, but Rye just looked at him for a minute and then continued on his way.

Rye is a little cutie

Rye is a mellow guy

Both Max and Rye seem like they walk pretty nicely on the leash, though we didn’t go to the woodland preserve for a full walk. Adopting a bonded pair like this is great because your new family members will have built-in friends and can help each other adjust to a new home. If you have the space in your heart and home for two dogs (one extra-large), stop in soon to meet Max and Rye!

Roxy the four-year-old Rottweiler/Shepherd mix is a pretty girl who likes being around people. We first went to the off-leash run, where Roxy sniffed a bit at one of the doggy toys but didn’t seem overly interested in playing fetch. Roxy is very snuggly, but prefers to snuggle on her own terms. She’ll lean against you and even tuck her head into your arm, but gets a little nervous if you get right in her face.

Roxy glows in the sunshine

Roxy and I then went for a walk around the woodland preserve. Roxy walks nicely on the leash and didn’t really pull at all. Roxy would do best as the only dog in her new home. She also prefers to be around older children and adults. If that sounds like your home, be sure to say hi to Roxy on your next visit!

Roxy ignoring the ball behind her

Tater the two-year-old Labrador Retriever mix is a friendly boy. The first thing he did when he came out of his kennel was give me a doggy hug. We then took a walk around the woodland preserve. Tater walks at a quick pace but doesn’t pull as long as you’re keeping up with him.

Tater says hello!

Tater was happy to take a break from our walk every once in a while and join me on the bench for a quick cuddle session. He also gave me a few doggy kisses. Tater can get a little excited or distracted when other dogs are nearby, but it seems like giving him a treat is a good way to get him refocused. Stop in soon to say hello to Tater!

Tater hanging out on the bench

I also saw Blaze, Lucy, O’Shea, the other Roxy, Scotty, and Wombat.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Still Looking for Love

The Orphans of the Storm® Valentine’s Day event went great (maybe you saw us on the WGN News that weekend!), but there are still many dogs waiting for their turn for furever love. There’s no time like the present to come in and meet them!

Mongo the one-year-old Labrador Retriever mix is a handsome boy. I tried to take him out the week before, but he wasn’t too eager to go out in the cold. It was warmer this time, so he was happy to join me. Mongo has the cutest stubby tail that’s even cuter when its wagging. Mongo walks pretty nicely on the leash.

Mongo looks particularly handsome in the sunshine

Mongo is a leaner. When you start petting him, he leans his whole body against you and sometimes tries to tuck his head into you. It’s a great snuggling technique! We took a few nice breaks as we made our way around the woodland preserve to cuddle. Mongo can be a little barky when other dogs are around, but otherwise he’s pretty quiet and well-behaved. Stop by soon to say hi to Mongo!

Mongo is always up for exploring

Nala the one-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is super affectionate. She is more than ready to spend time snuggling on the couch with her future family. Nala loves hopping up on the nearest bench and will look at you until you sit down to join her. She sat on three or four different benches during the time I was out with her.

Nala coming over for a cuddle

Nala also likes to play. When we were in the off-leash run, we spent some time playing fetch and tug-of-war. Nala walks nicely on the leash and would be a good walking buddy. She has quickly become a volunteer favorite because of her sweet personality. Be sure to say hi to Nala on your next visit!

A true view of playing tug-of-war with Nala

Ralphie the eight-year-old Shepherd/Labrador Retriever mix has cute perky ears. They make him look like he’s always paying very serious attention to whatever you’re saying. But Ralphie doesn’t take things too seriously–he was happy to play with a rope toy when we were in the off-leash run.

Ralphie and his pointy ears

Ralphie is a good leash walker. He stayed right by my side or just a few steps ahead as we made our way around the woodland preserve. He also didn’t mind stopping every once in a while to get a scratch on the back. Ralphie would do best as the only pet in an adult home. If that description meets your lifestyle, come in soon to meet Ralphie!

Ralphie will be your walking buddy and your lounging buddy

I also saw Blush, Christi, Joui, Snuffles, Tino, Tyson, and Vanilla.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Are Looking for Their Valentine

What better time to open your heart to a new love than Valentine’s Day? That’s why Orphans of the Storm® is having a Find the Love of Your Life event this Saturday, February 11 through Tuesday, February 14. Adoption fees will be waived for all dogs and cats six months and older. (Vet and vaccine fees still apply.) So stop in and feel the love for yourself!

Vanilla the two-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix has been waiting for a while now for the right person to come in and find her. She may seem like a bit of a handful when you walk by her kennel (she can be a little barky), but she is actually very easy to get along with. She just wants to grab your attention! She didn’t bark at all when we were out for our walk.

Vanilla is ready to be your walking partner

Vanilla and I headed straight for the woodland preserve. Vanilla walks nicely on the leash and barely pulled at all. Mostly she stayed by my side or just a little ahead of me and occasionally stopped to sniff. Vanilla loves getting loved and will stand next to you for as long as you’re petting her. Vanilla doesn’t like other dogs, so she would need to be the only pet in her new home. If you’re a one-dog type of person, come in soon to see if Vanilla is the one for you!

Vanilla says, “Hi there!”

Christi the eleven-year-old Shepherd/Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is such a sweetheart. When she realized it was her turn to come outside, she jumped up like a puppy! Other than that initial burst of excitement, Christi was very mellow. She is super easy to walk on a leash and moves at a good walking pace.

Christi’s sweet face and wagging tail

Christi is very affectionate. She covered my face in doggy kisses at every opportunity she had. When I sat down on the bench or on the ground, she would sit right next to me and enjoy a nice scratch on the back. Christi also has the sweetest expression on her face all the time. Don’t just walk past Christi’s kennel because of her senior age. Give her a chance to show you how much love she has to offer!

Christi enjoying the sunshine

Fiona the five-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix was found hit by a car. The vets weren’t sure if she was going to make it, but we’re all very glad that she did! She has become a volunteer favorite. Now Fiona has made a full recovery and is ready to start her second chance at life with a loving family. Despite her traumatic past, Fiona is always happy and greets everybody with an enthusiastically wagging tail.

Fiona needed a drink after all her romping

Fiona loves to give doggy kisses. I walked her once in the fall before she was available for adoption and we barely got anywhere because she kept hopping in my lap and kissing my face. This time, she was more energetic and explored the off-leash run for a while before we took a lap around the woodland preserve. Fiona would do best as the only dog in her new home. Stop in soon to meet Fiona!

Fiona from back in the fall. We’re all dreaming of green leaves!

Holly the one-year-old Hound mix has plenty of energy, which is understandable for a dog as young as she is. We were off and running as soon as her leash was on. When we got to the off-leash run, Holly had a fun time racing the dog on the other side of the fence. She briefly joined me on the bench for a quick pat on the back before hopping off to do some exploring in the bushes.

Holly debating between joining me on the bench and racing the dog on the other side of the fence

Holly and I then took a walk/run around the woodland preserve. Holly would probably enjoy living with someone who has better endurance than I do! She was happy to lead the way around the trail and, being a Hound, stopped to sniff the trees and bushes every so often. Since Holly is still a puppy, she could probably use some training to learn some basic commands. If you’re looking for a fun-loving pup, come in soon to meet Holly!

Holly has a cute face

Riley the ten-month-old Labrador Retriever/Mountain Cur mix is very nervous at the shelter, but very sweet. He wasn’t too sure about coming out of his kennel at the beginning, and then wasn’t too sure about going back inside his kennel at the end, so he ended up being carried both ways. But he wasn’t squirmy or fidgety about getting picked up.

Riley didn’t know what to make of the snow flurries

Riley really starts to come out of his shell when he’s around other dogs. We spent some time with two smaller dogs and Riley was very good with his polite greetings. His tail even untucked and started wagging! When I sat down on the ground next to him after that, he put one paw in my lap and tentatively poked my nose with his nose. Riley will probably need a little extra TLC in his new home so he can learn that the world isn’t so scary. If you’d like to be the one to help Riley with that, come in soon to meet him!

Riley is ready to mingle! Especially with other dogs

I also saw Bella, Blush, the other Riley, Scotty, and Zoey.