Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Reminding You to RSVP For the Benefit Dinner!

Orphans of the Storm®’s Annual Benefit Dinner is Tuesday, April 10 at Ravinia Green Country Club. This year, the shelter is celebrating its 90th anniversary! If you are interested in attending but haven’t RSVPed yet, the deadline is this Saturday, March 31. You can call the shelter directly at 847-945-0235 to reserve your seat. And between now and the dinner, you can stop by the shelter to meet the dogs (and cats) who you will be benefitting!

Jasmine the one-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix can be a little on the shy side at first, but warms up quickly and turns into a very affectionate girl! Jasmine put her front paws in my lap and gave me lots of doggy kisses several times during our walk. She likes getting pet and kept coming back to me to get attention while we were in the off-leash run.

Jasmine has the cutest wrinkly forehead

Jasmine is a pretty good leash-walker and likes to stop and sniff. Jasmine is on the skinny side and will definitely benefit from some TLC in her new home. Although Jasmine likes being with adults, she would do best in a home without kids or cats. She can also be a little bark-y around other dogs. She’s still a puppy, though, so she has time to learn some manners. Come in soon to say hello to Jasmine!

Jasmine romping in the run

Chevy the two-year-old Labrador Retriever mix was very eager to come out for a walk. She pulled a bit at first since she was ready and raring to go, but once we got to the woodland preserve she settled into being a good walking companion. Chevy likes to sniff her way along the trail, but her ears are always perked so she can pick up on interesting sounds too.

Chevy enjoys the outdoors

Chevy is super cute. She’s smaller than the average Lab and has a very expressive face. Chevy was very interested in the camera and always turned to me when I knelt down to get her picture and pet her. She would enjoy having a yard to call her own and someone to go on regular walks with her. Be sure to say hello to Chevy on your next visit to the shelter!

Accidentally caught Chevy during a blink

Boston the eight-year-old Mountain Cur mix is a little nervous in his current situation. He wasn’t too sure about getting the leash put on, but it turns out that he’s a great walking buddy. Boston walks at a nice, easy, relaxing pace and mostly stayed right by my side while we made our way around the woodland preserve. He didn’t pull at all.

Boston is such a sweetheart

Boston started to feel more comfortable the longer we were out, and eventually seemed to enjoy getting some scratches behind his ears and under his chin. He didn’t pay much attention to other dogs we passed while we were out. This sweet senior is looking for a quiet and calm home where he can be showered with the love he deserves. Come in soon to meet Boston!

Boston started exploring more

Jess the two-year-old Hound mix is a real cutie. She’s a nice small-to-medium size, has cute spots, and has an adorable short tail. And that little tail rarely stops wagging! Jess is a happy and playful girl with plenty of energy and enthusiasm. She’s eager to share that enthusiasm with people and gave me a few doggy hugs while we were out.

Jess is precious!

Jess likes to walk at a quick pace and can pull a bit if she doesn’t think you’re keeping up with her. Jess likes to be in charge when there are other dogs around and might not get along with every dog she meets. Jess enjoyed exploring the off-leash run and would like to have a yard at her new home where she can romp. Stop by soon to see if Jess is your girl!

Jess putting her Hound nose to use

Buster the one-year-old Boxer mix is a lovebug. He joined me on the bench multiple times and covered my face in doggy kisses. When he was done with kisses, Buster sat right in my lap and enjoyed cuddling. Buster has tail paralysis, but even though he can’t show you he’s happy with his tail, you can still tell with his doggy grin.

Buster has a great doggy smile

Buster walks nicely on the leash for the most part, though he can get an occasional burst of energy and run for short distances in the middle of his walk. Buster was sharing his kennel with a dog who has since been adopted, so he gets along with most dogs and could go to a home with another dog, but prefers females to males. Come in soon to say hello to Buster!

Buster telling me a secret

I also saw Big Boy and Mojo, Carlos, Goliath, Hobbs (who is such a sweetie and wouldn’t walk with the other volunteer until I said a proper hello), Nash, Parker, Rufus, and Scotty.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Enjoy a Sunny Day

It was a lovely day to be outside with the dogs at Orphans of the Storm®! Lots of nice walks and playtimes.

This Saturday, March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day) is Orphans of the Storm®’s O’doption Event! The adoption fee will be waived for all dogs and cats 6 months and older. There will also be a sale of pet supplies, including crates and doggy sweaters. Make this St. Patrick’s Day the luckiest one yet for the animals at Orphans of the Storm®!

Finder the two-year-old Mountain Cur mix is super sweet. As soon as I opened the gate to his kennel, he gave me a doggy hug and covered my face in doggy kisses. He was far more interested in cuddling than walking, so we took many breaks along the way so Finder could put his paws in my lap and get some pets. Finder was also eager to join me on the bench and just sit and enjoy our time together.

Finder is definitely a lapdog

Finder walks nicely on the leash, once you do get him to stop snuggling and start walking. He also likes toys and sniffed around the toy bin before finding one he liked and chewing on it for a bit. Finder wasn’t too excited to go back to his kennel, but he was perfectly fine with being picked up and carried. He’s really just a big baby! Be sure to say hello to Finder the sweetheart on your next visit!

Finder is good at finding toys!

Finley the two-year-old Labrador Retriever/Shepherd mix is a playful guy. He went straight for the toy bin and chewed on the toy he found for a while before we started our walk. Then, he picked up the same toy again at the end of our walk, laid down under a bush, and chewed some more. Finley also liked carrying the toy around and throwing it for himself to catch. Finley’s new family will definitely need to get him some toys!

Finley wasn’t too disappointed that the treat cube didn’t have treats in it

Finley got the occasional burst of energy where he wanted to run rather than walk around the woodland preserve, but for the most part he did pretty well on the leash. He was also happy to put his front paws in my lap and give me some doggy kisses when we took a break from our walk. Finley is already housebroken. If you’re looking for a fun new playmate, come in soon to meet Finley!

Finley says, “Whatcha got there?”

Elijah the five-year-old Mountain Cur/Labrador Retriever mix is a friendly and active pooch. We started in the off-leash run, where Elijah enjoyed chasing after tennis balls. He brought them back to my general vicinity and dropped them on the ground a few feet away for me to throw them again. He also enjoyed following his nose and exploring.

Elijah has a cute little bob tail

Elijah also likes to run. Once we hit the trail, Elijah was on the move! He did slow to a quick walking pace eventually and didn’t pull too much after that. Elijah is a play group regular and gets along with other dogs, so he could go to a home with or without another furry friend. He already knows some basic commands like “sit” and “shake.” Elijah would love to join an active family who will talk him for walks and play with him in the yard. Come in soon to see if Elijah is the one for you!

Elijah is ready to play with you!

Lobo the one-year-old Great Pyrenees/Labrador Retriever mix is a big (big!) boy with lots to offer. Although his size makes him pretty strong and he can pull a bit at first, he does pretty well walking on the leash overall. Lobo loves getting pet and will sit nicely right next to you while you pet him, giving you a happy doggy smile the whole time. If you stop, though, don’t be surprised if he jumps up to give you a doggy hug and get your attention again!

Lobo is a big sweetie-pie

Lobo already knows some basic commands like “sit,” and since he’s still a puppy he can certainly learn much more. Lobo had surgery (hence his shaved back legs) but is now recovered and ready to join an active family, though he would do best without smaller pets or small children. If that description fits you, be sure to say hello to Lobo on your next visit to the shelter!

Lobo is good at following his nose

I also saw Goliath, Hamilton, Maya, Nash, Parker, Scooby, Thunder, and Whizzer. And it turns out that Hamilton and Scooby are great playmates!

Orphans of the Storm Dogs® Are Ready for Warmer Weather

Now is a great time to spring into this sunnier weather with a new furry friend from Orphans of the Storm®!

Jax the four-year-old Mountain Cur mix is the best walking companion I’ve encountered for a while. He is absolutely perfect on the leash. Jax stayed so close to my side that I could have pet the top of his head for almost our entire walk. Jax is super easy-going and was happy to pause our walk every once in a while to cuddle.

Jax is a total sweetheart

Jax didn’t give any doggy kisses during our time together, but he did sniff my face a bunch and also hopped up on the bench next to me a couple of times. Jax gets along with other dogs and was sharing his kennel with a Beagle who has since been adopted, so he could go to a home with or without another dog. Come in soon to see if Jax is the pooch for you!

Jax is attentive when other dogs are nearby

Maya the two-year-old Heeler/Border Collie mix is fun and playful. When she gets extra excited, she does this funny move where she jumps into the air and simultaneously does a little shake all the way from her head to her tail. Maybe her hops would make her good for agility training! Maya can have short bursts of energy where she pulls on the leash a bit, but overall she was a good walking companion.

Maya is absolutely beautiful!

Maya is a snuggly and affectionate girl. Multiple times, she put her front paws in my lap and covered my face in doggy kisses. Maya already raised a litter of puppies and gets along with other dogs, so she could go to a home with or without another doggy friend. Maya has the prettiest coloring and will certainly catch your eye as you walk through the shelter. Be sure to say hello to Maya on your next visit!

Maya is always happy to say hello

I also saw Barney (who knows commands like sit and shake), Big Boy and Mojo, Clarinet (who loves her belly rubs), Goliath, Lucy, Nash, Reeco, Rufus, and Sadie.

Orphans of the Storm® Pups and Adults

There are almost two dozen dogs at Orphans of the Storm® who are a year or younger right now! If you’re looking to add a young dog to your family, now is the time to come in. But if you want the puppy personality without the puppy antics, there are plenty of dogs who are past the puppy stage but still have a young spirit.

Cayenne the three-year-old German Shepherd mix is an active girl looking for an active home. She loves going for walks–and maybe the occasional run! Cayenne can be strong and pull on the leash when she first comes out of her kennel, but don’t let that deter you. Once she gets that initial burst of energy out of her system, she settles down.

Cayenne romping in the snow

Cayenne enjoyed being in the snow and wasn’t shy about sticking her nose in snow piles to follow an interesting scent. She would come running over to me every time I knelt down to her level. Cayenne isn’t a big fan of other dogs, so she would do best as the only dog in her new home. Cayenne would also prefer to be in an adult-only home. Stop in soon to say hello to Cayenne!

Cayenne stopping to snuffle

Sadie the eleven-month-old Hound mix is a super cute puppy. She gave me a doggy hug as soon as she came out of her kennel, and was always happy to stop during our walk for more snuggles and doggy kisses. Sadie seemed interested in the other dogs we passed on our walk, though we didn’t get close enough to see how she interacts.

Sadie is a little cutie

Sadie did pretty well on the leash, even though she’s still a young pup. She will still need some training, though, both for leash-walking and basic obedience. This perky girl is eager to learn! If you’re looking for a sweet and fun puppy to join your family, come in soon to meet Sadie!

Sadie enjoying her walk through the woods

Rufus the five-year-old American Bulldog mix has the most lovable face. He has an adorable underbite with his two bottom teeth sticking out that makes him look like one of the many college bulldog mascots. And Rufus isn’t shy about putting his cute face right up to yours! He will happily give you as many doggy kisses as you could want.

Rufus is a real attention-grabber with that face

Rufus is also a fan of cuddling. He hopped up on the bench next to me and put his front paws in my lap. Rufus likes walking at a quick pace, but doesn’t really pull on the leash as long as you’re keeping up with him. He isn’t a big fan of other dogs, so sometimes he will bark but other times he can walk by without a second glance. Be sure to say hello to Rufus on your next visit to the shelter!

Rufus also has a tiny little wagging tail

Dill the one-year-old Catahoula Leopard Dog mix can be a little shy at first, and is a bit nervous about being on the leash when you first hook him up. But once he got used to the leash, he ended up being a great walking buddy. Dill seems to be more comfortable with women than men, at least when it comes to initial greetings, so he’s looking for a home with people who will help him come out of his shell more.

Dill doing some exploring

Dill is still a puppy, though, and that means he likes to play! He had a great time racing Dexter on the other side of the fence while we were in the off-leash run, and also poked at and picked up a couple of the doggy toys that were there. He hasn’t quite mastered “fetch” yet, but he has plenty of time to learn that and other games. Come in soon to see if Dill is the pooch for you!

Dill has a handsome “tuxedo” coat

I also saw Carlos, Eve (who greeted me with a doggy hug), Goliath (who had a great time rolling around in the snow), Hamilton (who is still convinced he is a lapdog despite his extra-large size), Nash, Scotty, Wombat (who also greeted me with a doggy hug), and YoYo (formerly Yeyo).