Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Are Getting Enriched

Last weekend was the grand opening and dedication of Orphans of the Storm®’s new Jim Farmer Memorial Enrichment Park. Diamond (Riley) helped with the ribbon-cutting, as pictured below, and Elijah, Whizzer, and Brutus showed off their agility skills for the crowd. You can read more about the park’s creation and purpose in the Chicago Tribune. It’s an exciting addition that many dogs will love!

The cutting of the ribbon

Daisy the four-year-old Labrador Retriever mix is a super snuggly and affectionate girl. As soon as I took her out of her kennel, she sat right at my feet so I could pet her. When we were in the off-leash run, Daisy spent most of her time by my side. She put her front paws in my lap and gave me lots of doggy kisses. Daisy might be a little bigger than the usual “lapdog,” but she doesn’t see why size should stop her from enjoying her person’s lap!

Daisy’s tail is constantly wagging

Daisy is currently sharing her kennel with Marnie. So, she gets along with other dogs and could go to a home with or without another dog. She does get a little jealous if you stop petting her and start petting another dog, though, but that’s why we have two hands–to pet two dogs simultaneously! Be sure to say hello to Daisy on your next visit to the shelter!

Daisy is most happy when getting attention

Bailey the seven-year-old Boston Terrier mix and Percy the nine-year-old Shih-Tzu mix are a bonded pair looking for a forever home together. And they are the cutest little duo! Bailey and Percy are super easy walking companions and you can even hold both of their leashes in the same hand without worrying about them pulling in opposite directions.

Percy and Bailey are happy to catch some rays

Bailey is known for his spunk and sass. He can be talkative when he wants to be, but was quiet for the most part during our walk around the woodland preserve. He did turn around at one point and yap at Percy to keep moving. Bailey recently had one eye removed, but he doesn’t even seem to notice that it’s gone and gets around just fine.

Bailey knows when to pose for a photo

Percy has a constant smile on his furry little face. He liked to take the lead on our walk, but he also liked to stop and sniff more often. Percy has a tickle-y spot on his left side and will start kicking his back leg when you scratch there. He’s an easy-going guy who likes staying close to Bailey.

Percy is too precious

Bailey and Percy have been together for five years and are best friends. If you have space in your home and your heart for two little cuties, come in soon to meet Bailey and Percy!

Percy and Bailey on the move

Jack the eight-month-old Labrador Retriever/Brittany mix is a handsome boy. His dark-ringed eyes will surely grab your attention when you walk past his kennel. Jack enjoyed romping around the off-leash run and was very attentive when it came to watching what was happening on the other side of the fence. With all the commotion from the Enrichment Park preparations, Jack was more interested in that than playing with toys.

Jack at attention

Jack walks surprisingly well on the leash, considering he’s just a puppy. He did have one spurt where he wanted to play tug-of-war with the leash, but he dropped it quickly and we continued on. Jack also loves rolling around in the tall grasses, kicking all four legs in the air. If you’re looking for a fun puppy to join your family, come in soon to say hello to Jack!

Jack with his freckled nose

Sullivan the Border Collie mix is always eager to come out for a walk. Sullivan has springs for legs and jumps up and down when he realizes it’s his turn to walk. He can pull on the leash a bit at first due to his eagerness, but he settles down pretty soon after. Sullivan prefers walking at a quicker pace, but didn’t pull once we were on the woodland preserve trail.

Sullivan had his photo shoot before the trees and grass turned green

Sullivan loves to sniff. He often had his nose to the ground during our walk. Sullivan was also intrigued by the camera and came right over to investigate whenever I took mine out. Sullivan isn’t a fan of other dogs, so he would do best as the only dog in his new home. He has been returned to the shelter twice, so an experienced dog-owner who can give Sullivan the mental and physical exercise he needs would be best for him. If that sounds like you, stop in to meet Sullivan!

Walks are one of Sullivan’s favorite things!

I also saw Bella, Nash, and Quinn.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Looking to Celebrate Father’s Day with a New Family

Father’s Day is this Sunday. What better way to celebrate than by adding a fur-child to the family? The dogs at Orphans of the Storm® are happy to show you why you should pick one of them to come home with you.

Apollo the three-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix is a handsome boy. He can be strong and pull on the leash when he wants to, but most of the time he’s a good walking companion. Apollo is a friendly guy who likes being with people. After you meet him once, he’ll always greet you with a wagging tail (and maybe a doggy hug!) after that.

Apollo is always alert

Apollo would enjoy being in an active home where he can go on long walks and have playtime with toys. He has a bit of a prey drive and may try to chase wildlife while you’re outside. This also means he would do best as the only pet in his new home. If you’re a one-pet kind of person, come in soon to meet Apollo!

Apollo doesn’t mind a bit of rain (apologies for the blurriness though)

Marnie the five-year-old American English Coonhound mix is a sweet and gentle girl. She enjoyed meandering around the off-leash run, following her Hound nose wherever it led her. Whenever I knelt down to her level, she would come over and stand next to me to get some pets. Marnie has that sweet Hound expression that just makes you want to give her a hug!

Marnie says, “Can we PLEASE go play with that dog up ahead?”

Marnie loves other dogs. She was sharing her kennel with another dog who has since been adopted, and she wanted to run and catch up to every dog we saw on the woodland preserve trail. When she’s not trying to say hello to another dog, though, she walks very gently on the leash. Be sure to say hello to Marnie on your next visit to the shelter!

Marnie’s ears are extra floppy

Taz the two-year-old Terrier mix is super cute. He has ears that are maybe a size or two too big for his little body, and a curly tail. Taz likes romping around the off-leash run. Although he sniffed at some toys, he wasn’t too interested in playing fetch on this particular outing.

Taz is a precious pup

Taz also likes going for walks. He does nicely on the leash and didn’t pull at all (except for when it was time to go back in his kennel, then he pulled in the opposite direction–but that’s understandable!). Taz was happy to stop and take breaks every once in a while so I could pet him. This friendly little guy is ready to find his forever family. Come in soon to meet Taz!

Taz enjoys a thorough sniff through the grass

Karma the one-year-old German Shepherd mix is a sweetheart. Even though she’s barely out of puppyhood and an active working breed, she walks great on the leash and was either right by my side or just a few steps ahead of me. Karma likes to snuggle and will either lean her body against your legs or rest her head in your lap.

Karma is a pretty girl

Karma has moderate hip dysplasia, which is common in large breeds and treatable in a variety of ways. But right now, it isn’t slowing her down! Karma gets along with children. However, she isn’t a fan of other dogs and would do best as the only pet in her new home. Stop by soon to say hello to Karma!

Karma has plenty of fluff to go around

I also saw Brutus, Foxy, Howard, Jasmine, Jess, Lucy Locket, Naida, Nash, and Parker (who covered my face in kisses and refused to get out of my lap).

Orphans of the Storm® Puppy Dogs and Older Dogs

There are dogs of all ages at Orphans of the Storm® right now, ready and eager to find their perfect match!

Jasmine the eight-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback mix (not to be confused with the other Jasmine) is a sweetie-pie. She waited patiently for me to put on her collar and leash, and then we were off. Jasmine pulled a little when she first came out of her kennel, but then settled into being a great walking companion when we went to the woodland preserve. Though she does like to chase birds if they happen to land on the ground near her, so be prepared to run in short spurts!

Jasmine enjoying her walk in the woods

Jasmine is very affectionate. She gives lots of doggy kisses and the occasional doggy hug. When I sat down on the bench, she hopped right up next to me and put her front paws in my lap so we could snuggle. I was the one who had to encourage her to get up and keep walking! Jasmine greets everyone with a wagging tail. Don’t let her “senior” age deter you–she still has plenty of energy, but also good manners. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are extremely rare at the shelter, so if you’re interested in that breed, come in soon to meet Jasmine!

Jasmine knows how to snuggle

Rudy the eleven-month-old Shepherd/Husky mix is a playful pup. As soon as he was in the off-leash run, he bounded around with puppy enthusiasm and ran a few laps. Rudy likes chasing after toys, but rather than bringing them back for a game of fetch, he put all the toys I gave him behind the bushes for later. Rudy enjoys getting pet and likes to give doggy hugs.

Rudy is a happy pup

Rudy, being a puppy, could probably still use some training. He doesn’t seem to have much experience with being on a leash and gets a little nervous when you first try to put a leash on him. He also likes to take the lead and can pull a bit once he is on the leash. Rudy was previously sharing his kennel with another dog who since got adopted, so he could potentially go to a home with or without another dog. If you’re looking for a big, lovable goofball, come in soon to meet Rudy!

Rudy loves the sunshine

Smooch the one-year-old Dogo Argentino mix had two broken legs, but he recovered and now is ready to find his forever home! This sweet boy didn’t let his injuries dampen his spirits. Smooch’s tail is constantly wagging, and he got his name because he would give everyone doggy kisses when he was at the vet. Smooch has beautiful blue-gray eyes, and his face turns pink when he’s extra happy or excited.

Smooch making his way through the grass

Smooch doesn’t take the ability to walk for granted. He absolutely loves going on walks and will happily lead the way. He looks back at you every once in a while as if to say, “Come on, keep up!” Smooch enjoyed romping around the off-leash run and exploring through the bushes. Be sure to say hello to Smooch on your next visit to the shelter!

Smooch coming to give smooches

Conny the one-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is adorable. She is a permanent puppy size, which makes her great for snuggling. But don’t let her petiteness fool you–she is surprisingly strong for how small she is! Conny started off running around the woodland preserve trail, but she eventually tired herself out and settled into an easier walking pace. She ended up plopping down spread-eagle in the shade to cool off.

Conny says, “Whatcha doin’?”

Conny likes to cuddle. Whenever I knelt down to her level, she’d come bounding over and put her front paws in my lap. Conny loves being with people, but she’s a little more particular about which dogs she likes being with, so she potentially would do best as the only pet in her new home. If you’re interested in having a permanent puppy, come in soon to see if Conny is the one for you!

Conny showing off her wrinkly forehead

Rocky the one-year-old Cairn Terrier mix is the cutest. I couldn’t stop complimenting his looks the entire time we were out. He has the most adorable little face, and his fur is funnily very straight on his front half and then very curly on his back half. Terriers are known for being bold and energetic, and that’s what Rocky is!

Rocky says, “Hello!”

Rocky loves to romp and play. He enjoys exploring when he’s on walks and playing with squeaky toys when he’s in the yard. Rocky sat right next to my feet for a while so I could pet him. He has a little bit of “small dog syndrome” and barks at bigger dogs, but doesn’t seem to mind dogs that are closer to his size. If you have the energy and creativity to keep up with Rocky, come in soon to meet him!

Rocky is too precious

Snow White the eleven-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is one of the shelter’s long-timers, and I am ashamed with myself for not writing about her before now! Snow White completed an 8-week doggy boot camp and was an excellent learner. She knows many commands, including “sit,” “stay,” and “heel,” and she’s very attentive to whoever is walking her. Snow White likes to get treats, of course, but she’ll do all of her commands without them.

Snow White wondering if I have any treats for her

Snow White both looks and sounds like a pig, which is a compliment. She has a wrinkly nose and a low, round body, and she makes cute snorting noises. She also has a great smile! Snow White isn’t a fan of other dogs and would need to be the only pet in her new home. She’s looking for an experienced dog owner who will keep up with the training she’s already had. Snow White is hoping that “Someday My Prince Will Come” soon. If you think that prince (or princess) might be you, be sure to say hello to Snow White!

Snow White is a well-behaved walking buddy

I also saw Big Boy and Mojo, Hobbs, Lucy, the other Lucy (who loves water and will splash around in anything from a pool to a water bowl), Naida, and Nash.