Orphans of the Storm® Black Dogs and White Dogs

The weather has been pretty dreary lately, but the dogs at Orphans of the Storm® will always be able to brighten your day!

Marcus the three-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is a nice boy. When I was first putting his leash on, he kept wiggling around in order to lick my hands. In the off-leash run, Marcus did some exploring and also kept an eye on what was happening on the other side of the fence. He wasn’t too interested in toys on this particular outing, but I’ve seen him out before and he does like to settle down and chew on a ball when the ground isn’t so wet!

Marcus doesn’t mind a little drizzle

Marcus and I then took a walk around the woodland preserve. Marcus is a good walking buddy who mostly stayed by my side or just a few steps ahead. He seems to get along with other dogs and in fact almost went home with another black Staffie mix, but the family decided to start with just one dog. Stop in soon to see if Marcus is the one for you!

Marcus trying to determine who or what is on the other side of the fence

Snowflake the four-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is super affectionate. The first thing she did when she came out of her kennel was give me a doggy hug. She gave me at least five more hugs during our time together. Whenever I sat or knelt down, Snowflake would come over and rest her chin on either my arm or my leg. She is so snuggly!

Snowflake has the best wrinkles on her forehead

Snowflake has nice manners, too. She walks well on the leash and knows how to sit. Snowflake has the cutest smooshy/wrinkly face. Everyone we passed on our walk couldn’t help but smile at her. During our walk, Snowflake would sometimes stop and stand right in front of me so I would have to stop too–giving herself another opportunity for me to pet her. If you’re looking for a cuddle buddy, come in soon to meet Snowflake!

Snowflake will always be happy to sit (or stand) next to you

Bert the one-year-old Pointer/Hound mix likes to explore. He spent most of our walk with his head held high so he could see, hear, and smell everything. Bert can have bursts of energy (the first time I saw him, he was running laps around the yard) and can pull a little on the leash, but for the most part he’s a nice walking companion who simply prefers to go at a quick pace.

Bert thinking about going into full Pointer pose

Bert has no problem stopping for a snuggle session every once in a while, though. I invited him to join me on a bench a few times, but maybe somebody already taught him not to go on furniture because he kept his four paws on the ground and preferred to lean against my legs while I pet him. By the end of our walk, Bert was giving me doggy hugs and kisses. Be sure to say hello to this sweet and fun boy on your next visit to the shelter!

Bert thinks he isn’t allowed on the bench

Gunner the five-year-old Labrador Retriever mix is a little nervous when he’s inside his kennel, and can be shy when you first meet him, but in just a few short minutes he turns into a real lapdog. We first went to the off-leash run, and after Gunner did some exploring on his own, he hopped up next to me on the bench and climbed right into my lap so I could pet him.

Gunner says, “Please join me!”

Gunner and I went around the woodland preserve next, and Gunner led the way. He can pull on the leash a bit, but that might have to do with nerves too. He’ll be calmer once he’s settled into a nice, loving home with people who can help him come out of his shell more. Gunner has quickly become a volunteer favorite because of his sweet personality. Come in soon to say hello to Gunner!

Gunner is always alert

I also saw Blaze, Chester and Te Amo, John Boy, Max and Rye, Ralphie, Tucker, Tyson, and Wombat.

Orphans of the Storm® Spotted Dogs

You can always find dogs of different colors at Orphans of the Storm®, but there seem to be a good number of dogs with spots at the moment!

Cactus Jack the two-year-old Coonhound mix is a friendly guy. He gave me a doggy hug right away, and he will also give hugs on command if you pat your legs. Whenever I sat down on a bench, he would either put his front paws in my lap or hop up next to me. When we were in the off-leash run, Cactus Jack did his Hound thing by following his nose in and around the bushes.

Cactus Jack with all his spots

Cactus Jack does a pretty good job at walking on the leash, though he usually prefers to go at a quick pace. As long as you’re keeping up with him, he doesn’t pull at all. He politely sniffed two other dogs when we were on our walk around the woodland preserve, and seems like he would have liked to play with them if given the chance. He might bark to say hello, but otherwise he was quiet. Stop in soon to meet Cactus Jack!

Cactus Jack has such a sweet Hound face

Spot the one-year-old Pointer/Border Collie mix still has his puppy energy. He gets excited about pretty much everything. When I knelt down to his level, he exuberantly hopped right into my lap. When people or other dogs passed us on our walk, Spot barked hello and wanted to give the people doggy hugs. Spot also likes to give doggy kisses, which can sometimes come with a small nibble because he’s so eager.

Spot will always be happy to see you!

Spot might make for a great agility dog. He jumped up and then over almost all of the benches that are placed around the woodland preserve. He doesn’t seem to have fully mastered the concept of “fetch” yet, but I’m sure with some practice he will be great at that too. Spot is a sweet, snuggly boy who is ready to join an active family. If you think that might be you, come in soon to say hello to Spot!

Spot following his nose

Roscoe the four-year-old Australian Cattle Dog mix is a little shy and nervous at first, but very sweet. He was found as a stray but has nice manners. Roscoe will gently take treats from your hand (and takes his time to chew thoroughly!). He also walks nicely on the leash and barely pulled at all during our entire walk around the woodland preserve.

Roscoe is a handsome boy

Roscoe quickly turns into a cuddle buddy. He hopped up onto the bench next to me and kept scooting closer the more I pet him. He seems to get along with other dogs and politely sniffed a couple when we were out. Roscoe is sure to come out of his shell once he’s settled into a new, loving home with people who show him that the world isn’t so scary. Be sure to say hi to Roscoe on your next visit to the shelter!

Roscoe perked up the longer we were together

I also saw Chester and Te Amo (my new favorites!), Cookie, John Boy, O’Shea, Sammy, and Tino.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Hoping Today Is Their Lucky Day

I don’t think there are many Irish breeds at Orphans of the Storm® at the moment, but all of the dogs are claiming they’re Irish today so they can get some extra luck! They don’t care too much about finding a pot of gold, though–what they really want is to find their forever home.

Cookie the two-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix came from an owner who had to move and couldn’t bring her with. This means she already has two years of experience being a family dog, and she is housebroken and gets along with kids. Cookie is a sweet and snuggly girl.

Half of Cookie’s pictures included her tongue sticking out

Cookie walks pretty nicely on the leash. She enjoyed sniffing her way along the woodland preserve trail. When I knelt down next to her, she put her front paws in my lap and snuffled around my face. Later, she joined me on the bench for a snuggle session. Cookie likes getting her hips scratched and does a cute wiggly dance. Stop in soon to see if Cookie is the one for you!

Cookie hanging out on the bench

Candy Cane the one-year-old Mountain Cur mix has lots of energy, understandably, since he’s still a young pup. We were off and running as soon as he came out of his kennel. Candy Cane was happy to lead the way, but often looked back to check in with me (and probably also wondering why I wasn’t keeping up).

Candy Cane doing a little wiggle

Candy Cane settled down eventually and showed off his sweet side. He gave me some doggy kisses when we were in the off-leash run. Candy Cane was also eager to race the dog on the other side of the fence. He didn’t seem too interested in playing fetch, but I’m sure he’d be happy to learn. If you’re looking for a young and fun dog, come in soon to meet Candy Cane!

Candy Cane is ready to give doggy kisses

Sir the three-year-old black Labrador Retriever mix can be a little wound up when he first comes out of his kennel, but give him a few minutes to settle down and then you’ll see what a sweetie he is. Sir wanted to play tug-of-war with the leash when he first came out, but by the time we got to the woodland preserve, he wasn’t paying it any attention at all and walked pretty well.

Sir is a cutie

Sir and I found a quiet spot along the trail where he sat right at my feet and gave me some doggy kisses while I pet him. When we went to the off-leash run, Sir loved chasing after a tennis ball, but needs some practice on bringing it back so his person can throw it again. Sir would do best in an adult home with an experienced dog owner. If that description fits you, be sure to say hi to Sir on your next visit!

Sir shines in the sunlight

Tucker the three-year-old Redbone Coonhound mix is a big softie. We met a little puppy on our walk around the woodland preserve, and I thought Tucker might be too much for a small dog, but it was the other way around! The puppy jumped on Tucker’s head and Tucker just looked at me like, “Is this okay?” It was too cute.

Tucker is a handsome guy

Tucker has long legs, so his walking pace was my jogging pace. He doesn’t pull on the leash as long as you’re keeping up with him, though. Tucker gave me a doggy hug and some doggy kisses and wasn’t in any hurry to put his front paws back on the ground. He can be a little skittish around loud or strange noises, but will probably get over that once he’s settled in his new home. Come in soon to meet sweet Tucker!

Tucker following his Hound nose

I also saw Bella, Blaze, Buddy, Casper, Chester and Te Amo, Clarinet, Cleo, John Boy, Sammy, Tino, and Tyson.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs with Different Energy Levels

Whether you’re looking for a couch potato, a running partner, or something in between, Orphans of the Storm® has the dog to match your activity level.

Dillon the seven-year-old Labrador Retriever mix is very shy and submissive at first. When I went to put his leash on, he rolled over. But he was happy to sit back up for a treat and once he realized I had a couple more in my pocket, he kept nudging me with his nose. He takes treats very gently. Dillon also walks nicely on the leash.

Dillon is a sweetie

Dillon and I took a stroll around the woodland preserve. He was still a little nervous at the beginning, but after he got used to me, he got much more snuggly. Dillon joined me on the bench and kept scooting closer to my lap the more I pet him. He just needs a little extra encouragement to come out of his shell. Stop in soon to say hello to Dillon!

Dillon likes getting his white spot scratched

Shay the one-year-old Labrador Retriever mix is a pretty girl who will make a great walking companion. We headed straight for the woodland preserve, where Shay walked at mostly a quick pace but rarely pulled. She also didn’t mind stopping every once in a while to get a nice pat on the back. She enjoyed a good scratch under her chin, too.

Shay says, “What scent am I picking up here?”

Shay has a good nose and likes to put it to work. She spent most of the walk either with her nose to the ground or high in the air, trying to pick up as many scents as she could. And it worked! There was a doggy toy half-buried in the leaves a couple feet off the trail, which we initially walked past. Then Shay stopped, sniffed, turned around, and unearthed the toy! Be sure to say hi to Shay on your next visit.

Shay has such pretty coloring

Casper the four-year-old American Bulldog mix is a volunteer favorite. He’s friendly with everybody, gets along with other dogs, knows basic commands, and is housebroken. Casper has lots of energy when he first comes out of his kennel, but after he gets a chance to run around, he settles down and turns into a snuggle-bug.

Casper wanted to play with the dog on the other side of the fence so badly!

Casper literally leaps with all four paws off the ground when he’s running fast. I wish I had gotten a video! When we went for a walk around the woodland preserve, though, he did pretty nicely on the leash and only pulled a few times. We sat down at a bench and Casper leaned against my legs the whole time, sometimes doing a little wiggle so I could pet the spot he wanted. He also gave me some doggy kisses. If you’re looking for a fun and affectionate boy, come in soon to meet Casper!

Casper is definitely a leaner

I also saw Aleck, Bella, Blaze, Blush, Chester and Te Amo, Coal, John Boy, Joui, Lucy, the other Lucy, Mongo, O’Shea, Pippa, Scotty, Snuffles, and Wombat.

Orphans of the Storm® Hounds and More

If you’ve been thinking about bringing home a Hound, now is the time to come to Orphans of the Storm®! Before I introduce you to the newest Hounds, here is a list of some of the other Hounds I’ve written about before:

• Blaze
• Carlos
• Courage
• Pike
• Shyanne

And here are some new Hounds, along with a few non-Hounds:

Cleo the seven-year-old Treeing Walker Coonhound mix follows her nose, as she should. The main downside to that was that I couldn’t get a good picture of her sweet face! Her nose snuffled all the way around the woodland preserve. If you like spending time outside and don’t mind moving at a slower pace, Cleo might be the perfect walking buddy for you.

Cleo sniffing around the base of the tree

Cleo took a break from her nosework so she could get a scratch under her chin and behind her ears. She also has a tickly spot on the side of her neck. Cleo is currently sharing her kennel with another dog, and also used to live in a home with another dog, so we know she’s dog-friendly. So whether you’re looking for your first dog or a new addition to your pack, come in soon to meet Cleo!

Cleo’s floppy ears help pick up more scents

Franklin the seven-year-old Hound/Collie mix is like a fox and a Hound in one package. He has Hound coloring and a bushy tail. Franklin wasn’t in very good shape when he first came to the shelter, but he’s doing much better now, though he could probably gain a little more weight still. Franklin is shy at first but turns into a real sweetheart once he gets to know you.

Franklin enjoying the sunshine

Franklin walks at a quick pace but didn’t mind stopping every once in a while to get some attention. He stood right by my side while I pet him and eventually rested his chin on my arm. Franklin was sharing his kennel with another dog for a while, so he could go to a home with or without another dog. If you can give Franklin the TLC he deserves, come in soon to meet him!

Franklin’s handsome face

Trudy the three-year-old Treeing Walker Coonhound mix was curled up and napping when I came to her kennel, but she perked up immediately once she got outside. Trudy loves to give doggy hugs and doggy kisses. Even when we were in the middle of our walk, she would stop and put her front paws on me so I could pet her. She walks pretty nicely on the leash but can pull a little bit when she’s excited.

Trudy liked seeing the world from a higher vantage point

Trudy is a playful girl. She likes other dogs and happily sniffed some of the other dogs we passed on our walk, though she may be a little exuberant for some. She also kept trying to nibble on my camera. Trudy joined me on the bench and will probably gladly join her new family on the couch. Stop in soon to meet Trudy!

Trudy is an expert snuggler

Mitch the four-year-old Boxer mix is great. By the end of our time together, I was telling him what a perfect boy he is. Mitch is a wonderful walking companion. He heels (left side and everything!) without even being told. It seems like he knows some other commands because any time I reached for my pocket, he sat down. Unfortunately I didn’t have any treats to give him for his good behavior.

Mitch says, “Do you have a treat?”

Mitch is very affectionate. The first thing he did when I took him out of his kennel was give me a doggy hug. When I sat down on a bench, Mitch put his front paws in my lap for a while and then eventually climbed up on the bench and sat in my lap. He isn’t quite lap-sized, but he makes it work. Mitch and I passed a few dogs while we were on our walk and he barely even glanced at them. Be sure to say hi to Mitch on your next visit to the shelter!

Mitch hanging out in my lap

Chester the twelve-year-old Chocolate Labrador Retriever and Te Amo the eight-year-old Yellow Labrador Retriever are so much fun. These brothers came in together and would preferably like to be adopted together. They can be a little bark-y inside their kennel but were pretty mellow when we were hanging out in the off-leash run.

Chester coming over to say hello

Chester and Te Amo spent the first few minutes sniffing in the bushes and exploring. Te Amo was the first one to come up to me and get some pets. Chester was soon to follow. They’re both friendly boys. They also seem to walk pretty nicely on the leash.

Te Amo always has a wagging tail

Chester and Te Amo wouldn’t be proper Labs if they didn’t like playing fetch! At first I only had one tennis ball. Chester beat Te Amo to it, but Te Amo apparently had been in this situation before and grabbed Chester’s front leg. When that tactic didn’t work, Te Amo just stuck his mouth in Chester’s and they were both holding onto the tennis ball for a while!

Te Amo and Chester “sharing” the tennis ball (yes, there is a ball hiding in there)

Luckily for everyone, I found another tennis ball under the bushes and Chester and Te Amo were happy to each have their own. Below is a short video of how to play fetch with two Labs and two tennis balls. Who wouldn’t want to be part of this fun every day? Come in soon to see if Chester and Te Amo are the pair for you!

I also saw Aleck, Honey Lamb, Joui, Sammy, and Wombat.