Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Wish You a Happy Memorial Day Weekend

Orphans of the Storm® will be closed on Monday in observance of Memorial Day, but you can still come in on Saturday or Sunday to find your new friend before the holiday!

Kanela the nine-month-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix was very shy when she first arrived at the shelter. I tried to take her out a few weeks ago, but she wasn’t interested. Now, she was excited to come out and likes going for walks! She may have gotten off to a rough start for the first few months of her life, but now that she’s being showered with love by nice people, she’s showing her true, sweet personality.

Kanela has many lovable wrinkles

Kanela does a pretty good job at walking on the leash, though she is pretty muscle-y (other volunteers call her “Fat Jasmine” even though Kanela isn’t fat, it’s just that Jasmine is very skinny) and can pull a bit if she wants to go in a certain direction. Kanela likes getting pet and hopped up on the bench next to me for some cuddles. If you’re looking to add a puppy to your home, come in soon to meet Kanela!

Kanela showing how to balance

Chewie the three-year-old Border Collie mix is a super smart boy. He knows “sit” and “shake” and probably other commands, and will gladly do them even if he doesn’t get a treat in return. Although he has plenty of energy, he walked well on the leash.

Chewie is super attentive

Chewie loves to play fetch. He is the only dog I’ve met over the years who has put the ball directly back into my hand. Chewie and I started with a tennis ball, then moved to a rope with a ball in the middle, and finally ended with a rubber ball. So, you better have lots of toys for Chewie when you bring him home! Here is a video of Chewie’s excellent fetching skills:

Chewie isn’t just about the activity, though. He is also a snuggler. He would come up and rest his head on my lap. Chewie also joined me on the bench and enjoyed a good scratch on his back. Chewie is ready and eager to join an active home with people who can keep up with his smarts! If that sounds like you, come in soon to meet Chewie!

Chewie is a happy boy when he has a toy

Floppy the three-year-old Beagle mix is an adorable little guy. One of his favorite things to do is snuggle. He’ll stand right by your feet and wait for you to lean over and pet him. Floppy would also put his front paws in my lap so I could pet him some more. Floppy is pretty good at walking on the leash, though being a Beagle he also likes to follow his nose.

Floppy has a sweet face

Floppy loves other dogs. He’s currently sharing his kennel with another dog who is a little bigger than he is. He also wanted to say hello and play with every other dog we passed during our walk. So, Floppy would do great in a home with another furry friend. Be sure to say hello to Floppy on your next visit to the shelter!

Floppy licking off some raindrops

Foxy the two-year-old Labrador Retriever mix is an affectionate, easy-going, and very pretty girl. She will happily give you doggy hugs and doggy kisses. She is one of those dogs who will walk between your legs and stand still there so you can scratch her hips. Foxy also joined me on the bench a couple times.

Foxy debating between fetching and snuggling

Foxy enjoys playing fetch, though after a couple of throws she sometimes loses interest and goes back to sniffing around the yard. Foxy gets along with other dogs and is currently sharing her kennel with another dog, so she could go to a home with or without a furry friend. Come in soon to meet Foxy!

Foxy showing off her bushy tail

I also saw Elijah, Howard (who is super sweet and snuggly), Nash, Nico, Quinn, and Roxy.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Ready to Make Themselves at Home

The dogs at Orphans of the Storm® are ready and waiting to find the perfect person to bring them home!

Gizmo the seven-year-old Shepherd/Husky mix came from an owner who was moving and couldn’t bring him with. That means Gizmo has a lifetime of experience as a pet and is ready to show you what a good boy he is. Gizmo was a little nervous when he first arrived at the shelter, but is coming out of his shell more now.

Gizmo proudly showing off his big ears

Gizmo is a good leash-walking companion. He walks at a nice pace and likes to do the occasional stop-and-sniff. Gizmo is well-behaved in general. He was patient about getting his leash put on, he didn’t pay much attention to the dogs we passed during our walk, and he probably already knows some commands and would be eager to learn more. Stop in soon to say hello to Gizmo!

Gizmo enjoys the outdoors

Hunter the seven-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is a pretty easy-going guy. He came from a home that could no longer keep him, so he has many years of experience as a family pet. Hunter sat nicely without me even asking when I was putting his leash on. He enjoyed exploring the off-leash run but would come back to where I was sitting every once in a while for a quick pat.

Hunter gives you the sweetest look when he wants to get pet

Hunter walks well on the leash for the most part. He does get some bursts of energy where he pulls a bit, but then settles down and walks nicely by your side again. Hunter hopped up on the bench and was happy to have me sit next to him. He gets along with some dogs but not necessarily all. Come in soon to see if Hunter is the one for you!

Hunter liked sniffing around the bushes

Bryan the five-year-old Basset Hound/Shar-Pei mix is one of the most unique-looking dogs you will come across at the shelter. He has the squishy, wrinkly face of a Shar-Pei and the long, low body of a Basset. His personality is a mix, too. He can take a little longer to warm up to a new person (Shar-Pei), and he also loves to follow his nose and sniff everything (Basset).

Bryan’s lovable face

Bryan is great at walking on the leash. He rarely pulls and mostly just stays a couple steps ahead of you. He didn’t jump on people or things, and he doesn’t seem to be overly talkative. Bryan wasn’t too interested in cuddling, but he did eventually stand still next to me so I could pet him for a while. If you want the most interesting dog in the neighborhood, come in soon to meet Bryan!

Bryan’s little legs on the move

I also saw Barney, Bella, Carlos, Elijah, Lucy Locket, Naida, Nash, and Shyanne (Cheyenne).

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Who Found Their Forever Homes, Part XVIII

Here is a success story from Rubina about her family’s new dog, Lily (formerly Belle). This story shows that it can sometimes take a few tries for a dog to find their right home, but when they do, it’s extra sweet!

We found Lily (Belle) our new best friend, 5-year-old German Shepherd/Border Collie mix girl. As history goes, she was saved from a kill shelter by Orphans of the Storm® and then was adopted by an old lady who returned her as she was too much for her, and once again returned by another couple who had her for just 2 nights. Terrible! My daughter had gone to volunteer at Orphans and we all fell in love with Lily in those 3 hours we spent with her. Being a clean freak, I have to say Orphans does a wonderful job of keeping their animals and their kennels clean.

We went back to the shelter the next day and brought her home and she has been nothing but a bundle of joy since then. Luckily, she is house-trained, but quite a fussy eater. She is playful and super smart. A little nervous at times, probably from what she has been through for the past few weeks… scared of rain and froggies, but quite the strong independent lady when it comes to meeting other big dogs! She loves to run and is super friendly to kids. My husband, who is scared of all animals, had warmed up to her in the last 3 days… really that’s got to say something about Lily’s personality. We hope to give her a good life and I believe in my heart that pleasure will be ALL ours while she is with us. We are a happier family with sweet Lily!!

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Rubina!

If you have an Orphans of the Storm® success story that you would like posted on this site, please email meetthepooches@gmail.com.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Looking for a Good Home Where They Can Enjoy the Good Weather

Spring has finally arrived, and the dogs at Orphans of the Storm® are ready to spend lots of time outside enjoying it. But they would like it even more if they were able to go inside a new forever home at the end of the day!

Roxie the nine-month-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is a super affectionate puppy. There were multiple times when she happily hopped up on the bench next to me, put her front paws in my lap, and gave me lots of doggy kisses. She also liked standing on the bench to get a better look at her surroundings and see what all was going on.

Roxie is eager to say hello

Roxie walks pretty well on the leash considering she’s just a puppy. She can pull a bit when she’s excited, though, particularly when she first comes out of her kennel. But that’s understandable! Roxie isn’t a fan of other dogs, so she would do best as the only dog in her new home. Come in soon to see if Roxie is the pooch for you!

Roxie wondering if I have a treat hiding somewhere

Lucy the two-year-old Husky mix loves to run, which makes perfect sense for her breed! Lucy will stand nicely at your side as long as you’re petting her, but she is off and running again as soon as you stop. Lucy is a smart girl who already knows some commands, such as “sit,” and could learn plenty more.

Lucy knows she’s pretty

Lucy was very interested in the camera and always came right over to stick her nose up to the lens. She’s ready for her close-up! And since she’s such a pretty girl, you’ll be wanting to take plenty of pictures of her anyway. Lucy may do best as the only dog in her new home. If you’re looking for a new partner to motivate you to go running, look no further than Lucy!

Lucy says, “Ooh, whatcha got there?”

Ross the two-year-old Mountain Cur mix is an excitable guy. He gave me a doggy hug as soon as he came out of his kennel and then was off, ready and rarin’ to go. He was happy to give more doggy hugs during our walk, too. Ross also joined me on the bench for a snuggle session halfway through our walk.

Ross is a happy guy

Ross is athletic and might enjoy doing agility. He can jump/climb over fences, so he will need to be supervised if he’s off-leash in a yard. Ross is sometimes bark-y around other dogs and might prefer to be the only dog in his new home. Stop by the shelter soon to meet Ross!

Ross enjoys the outdoors (and a good pet)

Muñeca the three-year-old Chihuahua/Terrier mix is very nervous at the shelter. She wasn’t too sure about getting a leash put on and was scared about getting pet. Muñeca was interested in sniffing me, though, and stayed pretty close when we were walking together. When I sat down in the grass next to her, she came over on her own to check out my shoes.

Muñeca is a little doll (hence her name!)

Muñeca walks nicely on the leash and only pulled when something spooked her. She gets along with other dogs that are closer to her size and is currently sharing her kennel with another small dog. Muñeca is looking for someone who will give her the time and love she needs to help her come out of her shell. If that sounds like you, come in soon to say hello to Muñeca!

Muñeca will warm up with her new person

Trusty the eight-year-old black Labrador Retriever mix is a total sweetheart. He is one of the most easy-going dogs at the shelter right now. A lot of dogs bark when you walk by their kennels, but Trusty sits quietly and wags his tail. He is also a great walking companion and moves at a steady pace without pulling.

Trusty is the definition of a good boy

Trusty always likes to stop for snuggles. He will either join you on the bench or sit at your feet and give you a big doggy smile while you scratch his side and ears. Trusty gets along with other dogs, so he could go to a home with or without a furry friend. He is such a dapper gentleman! Be sure to say hello to Trusty on your next visit to the shelter.

Trusty says, “Follow me!”

Lucy Locket the one-year-old Mountain Cur mix has plenty of energy. As soon as we hit the woodland preserve trail, Lucy Locket was off and running. She did pause every once in a while for the occasional sniff in the grasses and bushes, though. Since Lucy Locket is still a puppy, she could benefit from some additional leash training.

Lucy Locket debating if she should hop on the bench

Lucy Locket joined me on the bench a couple of times so I could pet her more. She has a cute wrinkly forehead and her ears are always perked forward. Lucy Locket isn’t a fan of other dogs, so she would like to be the only dog in her new home. If you’re looking for a fun, playful, and active new companion, come in soon to meet Lucy Locket!

Lucy Locket literally shines in the sun

I also saw Barney, Bella, Brutus, Elijah, Finley, Goliath, Jax, the other Lucy, and Nash.