Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Are Warming Up

Some dogs will act as if they are your lifelong best friend the first time they meet you. Others can take a little longer to warm up. There are some shy but incredibly nice dogs at Orphans of the Storm® right now, and they are looking for the right person or family to help them break out of their shell.

Baloo the six-month-old Labrador Retriever/Mountain Cur mix is a little shy, but super sweet. Many dogs are off and running when they first come out of their kennel, but the first thing Baloo did was sit by my feet so I could pet him. I think it’s safe to say that one of Baloo’s favorite things is getting pet, because we took many cuddle breaks. Once Baloo spent more time with me, he was also happy to give some doggy kisses.

Baloo has cute pointy ears

Baloo is one of the best walking companions. He heels without being told and was so close to me that my leg was touching his side with almost every step. The only way he could have been closer is if he stood on my feet! Baloo didn’t pull on the leash once. I must have told him, “You’re perfect!” about 50 times. If you’re looking for a sweet puppy who already knows his manners, come in soon to meet Baloo!

Baloo says, “Yes, I am a good boy!”

M&M the three-year-old chocolate Labrador Retriever mix is pretty mellow. We started in the off-leash run, where M&M gave the dog on the other side of the fence a quick sniff but then went off and did her own exploring. M&M can be a little skittish if she hears an unexpected noise, but once she’s settled in her new home she’ll feel much more comfortable.

M&M loves her walks

M&M is another great walking buddy. It seems like she prefers going for walks rather than just hanging out in a yard. She walks at the perfect pace and doesn’t pull on the leash at all. I invited her to join me on the bench but maybe she was previously taught to not get on furniture, because she only rested her chin on the seat. Be sure to say hello to M&M on your next visit to the shelter!

M&M not so sure about jumping on the bench

Jada the one-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix has one of those wide, lovable faces with plenty of adorable wrinkles–and she isn’t shy about getting that face right up next to yours! Jada loves to snuggle and give doggy kisses. She particularly likes getting her hips scratched and does a little happy dance. Jada will put her front paws in your lap for maximum cuddles.

Jada leading the way

Jada can pull on the leash a bit when she first comes out, but as we made our way around the woodland preserve, she settled into a better walking pace. She enjoyed going into the tall grasses on the edge of the trail to do some extra sniffing. Jada gladly joined me on the bench a couple times to take a break. She would do best as the only dog in her new home. If you think you fit the bill, come in soon to meet Jada!

Jada coming in for a doggy kiss

Quincy the one-year-old Shepherd mix can be a little shy at first. He wanted to give me a thorough sniff before I put his leash on, which I was happy to oblige. Quincy got more snuggly and less skittish the longer we were out, which is a great sign that getting some TLC in his new home will bring him out of his shell.

Quincy looks a little fox-y

Quincy did a good job walking on the leash, considering he was a little skeptical of the idea at first. He liked to stop and sniff every once in a while–either the grass, tree trunks, or my leg. He was also happy to pause and get a nice scratch on the back or under his chin. Stop by soon to meet handsome Quincy!

Quincy started walking with his head held high

Baby the seven-year-old Labrador Retriever mix ended up at the shelter because her previous owner passed away. Her lifetime experience of being a family pet means that she gets along with other dogs, cats, and people of all ages. (Baby is currently sharing her kennel with another dog, too.) So, she is more than ready to join a new happy home!

Baby has such a sweet face

Baby is a very sweet girl. The first thing she did was give me a quick doggy hug, and she gave me a few more at different points during our walk. She also gave me doggy kisses. Baby is great at walking on the leash, though she would prefer having a harness rather than just her collar. If you’re looking for a family dog, be sure to say hello to Baby on your next visit!

Baby knew to stay in the shade

I also saw Belle, Bella, Chester and Te Amo, Lucretia, Mojo, Sadie, Sir, and Vanilla.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Leap and Bound

The Chicago area, particularly the northern suburbs, has been hit by some heavy storms in the last two weeks. Orphans of the Storm®’s woodland preserve had a couple trees come down in the wind and rain, but that didn’t stop the dogs from getting their walks! Whether over or under, the dogs and their walkers made their way past the fallen tree trunks.

Bentley the one-year-old Labrador Retriever mix has a bit of a loud bark, so you certainly can’t miss him when you’re walking through the shelter. But once he was out of his kennel, he didn’t make a peep. Bentley is currently getting treated for heartworm but is ready to go home. His new family will just have to make sure he gets rest until he receives his clean bill of health. Bentley still likes to go for walks, though!

Bentley doesn’t mind a bit of rain

Bentley is an affectionate guy. He put his front paws in my lap and covered my face in doggy kisses whenever he got the chance. Bentley can pull a bit on the leash, but he’s still a puppy so his new family will have to do some training with him anyway. Bentley gets a little excited when other dogs are around, but can be refocused to keep walking. If you’re looking for a young, fun, and sweet boy, come in soon to meet Bentley!

Bentley loves to give hugs

Otis the nine-year-old Labrador Retriever mix is also known as a grandpa at the shelter because he took care of a litter of puppies for a while. Otis can be picky about which dogs he likes and which he doesn’t, though, so it’s important for you to bring in your current dog to meet him if you’re thinking of adding him as a second dog. (This is also true for any dog!)

Otis is always happy to be with people

Otis is a sweet boy who likes going for walks. His tail wags almost constantly and he likes to sniff and explore. Otis is a good walking companion and is also happy to take breaks so he can be pet. He also likes to give doggy kisses. Even though he’s on the older side, he doesn’t act too much like a senior. Say hello to Otis on your next visit to the shelter!

Otis says, “Follow me!”

Belle the two-year-old Boxer/Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix takes a daily anti-inflammatory for her knees, but you wouldn’t know she has any movement issues with the way she was leading the way on our walk! She also jumped over one of the fallen trees in the woodland preserve. Right after she jumped over, she rolled onto her back for a belly rub as if she was saying, “Please reward me for my good job!”

Belle curious about what’s ahead

Belle is affectionate and loves being with people. Anywhere you go, she will follow (hence jumping over the tree trunk instead of crawling underneath it). She gives doggy kisses and will sit by your feet and lean against your legs so you can pet her. Belle isn’t fond of other dogs, though, so she would do best as the only dog in her new home. Stop in soon to meet Belle!

Belle has cute white “socks”

Emma the six-year-old Dachshund mix is super adorable and super friendly. She often put her front paws on my leg, either so I would pet her or just give her some encouragement. Whenever I knelt down to her level, she would climb into my lap and give me doggy kisses. When I was climbing over the fallen tree trunk, she put her paws on my leg to “help” and make sure I got over safely. It was too cute.

Emma is a lap dog

Emma wanted to go exploring off the trail in the woodland preserve. When I started to steer her back, she looked up at me like, “Excuse me, we’re missing out on a lot of interesting smells over here.” Emma gets along with dogs of all sizes and is currently sharing her kennel with a large Shepherd mix, so she could go to a home with or without another dog. Be sure to say hello to Emma on your next visit!

Emma laughs (sneezes) in the face of “danger”

I also saw Aleck, Bella, Chester and Te Amo, Courage, John Boy, Lucy, Mongo, O’Shea, Tyson, Vanilla, and Wombat.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Cool Off

On the warmer summer days, the dogs at Orphans of the Storm® enjoy having the opportunity to cool off with a quick hose spray-down. Most of them happily stand still and appreciate the impromptu bath!

Lucretia the three-year-old Hound mix is always eager to go for a walk. Her whole back half was wiggling with excitement when she saw me coming with the leash. Lucretia can pull a bit when she first comes out of her kennel, but don’t let that deter you because she settles into a pretty good walking companion.

Lucretia says hello!

Lucretia, being a Hound, likes to stop and sniff every once in a while during her walks. She loves being pet and gives doggy hugs to show her affection to people. Lucretia isn’t a fan of other dogs, though, so she would do best in a home where she is the only pet. Stop in soon to see if Lucretia is the one for you!

Lucretia is a happy girl

JoJo the ten-year-old Border Collie mix is a total sweetheart. Since she’s on the older side, she’s very mellow. JoJo is one of the easiest dogs to walk and doesn’t pull on the leash at all. She’s happy to take occasional breaks during her walk for snuggles and will give you very gentle doggy kisses.

JoJo’s tail is often wagging

JoJo gets along with people and dogs alike, including little dogs like Chihuahuas and Poodles. She has shared her kennel with a couple small dogs already, so she could go to a home with or without another dog. Don’t let JoJo’s older age stop you from giving her a chance, because she still has lots of love to offer. Be sure to say hi to JoJo on your next visit to the shelter!

JoJo is a good walking buddy

Commander the one-year-old Hound mix has such pretty and expressive brown eyes. He’s a sweet boy who happily gives doggy kisses. When you kneel down next to him or sit on a bench or chair, Commander tucks his head into your lap so you can pet him. He is certainly a cuddler.

Commander was excited to be out on the trail

Commander is also a nice walking companion. He mostly stayed by my side as we made our way around the woodland preserve and occasionally stopped for some sniffing. He also looked up at me every once in a while to check in, so he’s attentive too. His name may make him seem like a leader, but Commander is mostly interested in being a partner. Be sure to say hello to Commander on your next visit!

Commander is a handsome guy

Peter the two-year-old Hound mix was super excited to come out for his walk. He was jumping up and down as I was putting his leash on, but as soon as he came out of his kennel he settled down and actually was a very nice walking buddy. Peter has unique blue merle coloring on part of his neck and back, which adds to his handsomeness.

Peter taking a break by the bench

Peter can be a little skittish at times. He was found as a stray and we think he may have been bred to be a hunting dog but wasn’t too great at it, so his previous owner let him go. But there’s certainly nothing wrong with being a lover instead of a hunter! Peter just needs to find a family that will love him right back and teach him that he doesn’t have to be afraid. If you think that might be you, come in soon to meet Peter!

Peter will happily join you on the couch

I also saw Bella, Bud, Chester and Te Amo, Courage, Gunner, John Boy, Mojo, O’Shea, Ralphie, Sadie, Scotty, Sir, Snuffles, and Vanilla.