Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Wish You a Merry Christmas

There is still time to welcome home a new furry family member before the holidays! Orphans of the Storm® is open its regular 11am-5pm hours except for Tuesday, Christmas Day, when it is closed. Dogs and cats will also be at the Northbrook Court location to help with last-minute gift wrapping all weekend and through 6 p.m. on December 24.

Blue the three-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is super snuggly. He likes to sit in your lap and lean against you while you pet him. Every time I knelt down to Blue’s level, he came bounding over for more cuddles. He has a ticklish spot on his hips and will do a little wiggly dance and kick his back legs when you scratch him there. Blue likes to give the occasional doggy kiss too.

Blue ready to go for a walk

Blue is also adventurous. He went right over the A-frame without any prompting from me and particularly liked standing at the top so he could survey the land and see over the top of the fence. Blue politely sniffed the dog on the other side of the fence but otherwise didn’t pay much attention to other dogs. Blue also does a pretty good job walking on the leash. Be sure to say hello to Blue on your next visit to the shelter!

Blue is a natural at the A-frame

Tulip the three-year-old Husky mix will be your own personal giant snowball for the winter (and every other season). She has beautiful all-white fur and piercing blue eyes. Tulip is a little on the chunky side, so she’s looking for an active home where she can get her regular walks and exercise. Tulip prefers to walk at a quick pace, but doesn’t pull on the leash at all as long as you’re keeping up with her.

Tulip is ready for the next snowfall

Tulip is pretty mellow and easy-going. She doesn’t mind doing her own thing when she’s in the yard, but she’ll also stand by your side while you pet her. Tulip was sharing her kennel with another Husky who has since been adopted, and she seems to get along with other dogs too, so she could go to a home with or without another fluffy friend. Come in soon to meet Tulip!

Tulip could be a model

Romeo the two-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix was found as a stray, but seems to know at least a few of the ropes. He can pull a bit when he first comes out of his kennel, but walking around the woodland preserve he did a good job on the leash. Romeo likes to lead the way on his walks, but often looked back over his shoulder to check in with me.

Look at Romeo’s innocent face!

Romeo likes being with people and rarely left my side when we were in the Enrichment Park. He loves getting attention and lots of pets. Romeo can jump up a fair bit, but some training should help with that. He was already pretty responsive when I told him “off.” Come in soon to see if handsome Romeo will steal your heart!

Romeo getting some exercise

Daisy the three-year-old Treeing Walker Coonhound mix is perhaps the Hound-iest Hound I’ve ever walked. She was really in her element when we were in the woodland preserve. Daisy wanted to forge her own trail rather than follow the path, and can be a little stubborn about following her nose rather than her person. She did some serious treeing, with her front paws on the tree trunk and long, loud baying. (I personally didn’t see any raccoons, but she had me pretty convinced they were up there somewhere.)

Daisy demonstrating the appropriate treeing technique

Daisy has plenty of energy and enjoyed having a chance to stretch her legs and run around the off-leash run. She didn’t need a toy to chase or a dog to race–she just likes being outside. Daisy would do best in an active home that understands what Hounds do. If that sounds like you, be sure to say hello to Daisy on your next visit to the shelter!

Daisy says, “Whee!”

I also saw Barney, Carlos, Dunkin the Red (who greeted me with a doggy hug), Nash, Phantom, and Vanilla (who is best friends with the aforementioned Carlos).

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Celebrate Adopt a Senior Pet Month

Orphans of the Storm® has made Adopt a Senior Pet Month into a two-month, end-of-year special adoption event. Dogs and cats who are 8 years and older will have their $90 adoption fee waived through the end of 2018. Our partner veterinary office, Ruth Helen Wolf Animal Hospital, will also donate the cost of some medical fees including senior wellness exam, senior blood work, distemper and rabies vaccinations, and new tag. I met some new senior dogs this week, but first, here is a list of other seniors I’ve profiled before, and their current ages:

• Blush (9)
• Bo (8)
• Delilah (9)
• Diamond (Riley) (10)
• Donny (10)
• Dunkin the Red (9)
• Jasmine (8)
• Lucy (10)
• Puggie (14)
• Snow White (10)
• Thunder (9)
• Timmy (11)
• YoYo (Yeyo) (12)

On to new pooches, both older and younger!

Whiskey the five-year-old Hound mix is a super happy pooch. She wags her tail so hard when she’s getting pet that her entire back half wiggles. Whiskey is very affectionate and loves to cuddle and give doggy kisses. When she sees someone she knows, she goes straight up to them and leans against their legs so they have to stop and pet her.

Whiskey keeping an eye on things

Whiskey is a nice walking companion and does a good job on the leash. She happily joined me on the bench whenever I sat down. Whiskey gets along with other dogs and is currently sharing her kennel with Huckleberry, so she could go to a home with or without other dogs. Whiskey is also housebroken and gets along with children, so she’s ready to join a new family today. Come in soon to meet sweet Whiskey!

Whiskey is practically camouflaged!

Geezer the eight-year-old Treeing Walker Coonhound mix does not act like a geezer at all. He was leaping and bounding around the Enrichment Park and didn’t show signs of slowing down. He politely sniffed the dog on the other side of the fence but didn’t pay much attention otherwise. Geezer will take the occasional break to get pet, though, and enjoys receiving lots of attention and cuddles.

Geezer coming over for a cuddle

Geezer goes into full Hound mode once he hits the trail. He led the way on our walk around the woodland preserve and moved at a quick pace. His nose is either close to the ground or high in the air, to catch as many scents as he can. Geezer has that lovable Hound face that will put a smile on yours. Be sure to say hello to Geezer on your next visit to the shelter!

Geezer can also look very wise

Hazel the nine-year-old Catahoula Leopard Dog mix is currently undergoing heartworm treatment, so she’s looking for a special home that will help her with her recovery. She isn’t supposed to overexert herself, but that isn’t an issue because Hazel is super mellow and easygoing. Hazel walks nicely on the leash. She likes to lead the way, but will stop and follow you in a different direction if you want her to.

Hazel is a good-natured girl

Hazel enjoys getting pet and will stand by your side as long as you keep petting her. She has pretty coloring and one blue eye, one brown eye. Hazel seems to get along with other dogs, especially ones that are more her energy level. If you’re willing to open your home to a senior with some extra medical needs, Hazel would be very grateful to go home with you!

Hazel glowing in the sunshine

Jericho the four-year-old Jack Russell Terrier mix has that typical Terrier spunk. His little legs are almost always on the move. Jericho likes playing with toys and knows how to play fetch, or is just as happy to chew on a squeaky toy. Jericho walks well on the leash and doesn’t pull much. Jericho gets along with other dogs and is currently sharing his kennel with a dog closer to his size, so he could go to a home with or without other dogs.

Jericho is a cutie-patootie

Jericho is a very affectionate boy. He likes to cuddle and give lots of enthusiastic doggy kisses. He joined me on the bench and put his front paws in my lap. He also climbed into my lap when I knelt down to his level. If you stop petting him before he thinks you should, he’ll jump up and tap your leg with his front paws until you reach down to pet him again. If you’re looking for a fun and snuggly companion, be sure to meet Jericho!

Jericho will smile for snuggles

I also saw Apollo, Cooper, Duke, Maggie Mae, Nash, and Zeke.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Recommend You Adopt, Don’t Shop!

The holiday shopping season is well underway. But if you’re considering adding a furry friend to your home this winter, the dogs (and cats!) at Orphans of the Storm® hope that you will look for them at a shelter rather than a shop.

Rocko the seven-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is a friendly boy who gets along with pretty much everybody and everything–kids, cats, and other dogs. Don’t let the gray fur on his face fool you into thinking he’s a slow-moving senior. Rocko is still an active dog who enjoyed exploring the Enrichment Park and led the way on our quick-paced walk around the woodland preserve.

Rocko gives great doggy smiles

Rocko likes being close to his person and getting plenty of attention. He’ll happily stand by your side while you pet him, and will give you a few doggy kisses in return. He also enjoys riding in the car and is ready to head home for the holidays. If you think that home could be yours, come in soon to meet Rocko!

Rocko has cute white socks

Junior the two-year-old Rottweiler mix is a champion snuggler. He likes getting his hips scratched and will lean against your side while you pet him. He was always right there with his front paws in my lap when I sat down on a bench or knelt down to his level. Junior is very attentive to his person.

Junior is too cute

Junior walks nicely on the leash and rarely pulls. He’ll often look up at you to check in while walking. He has a very expressive face that automatically makes you smile at him. Junior was sharing his kennel with another dog who has since been adopted, so he likes some dogs but can be bark-y around others. Be sure to say hello to Junior on your next visit to the shelter!

Junior being a cuddle buddy

Huckleberry the two-year-old Hound mix is so much fun. I thought he was still a puppy because of his playfulness and innocence, and was shocked when I saw his age after our walk. Huckleberry absolutely loves playing with toys and can easily entertain himself with them. When he stops to chew on them, though, he’ll plop down next to you so you can pet him while he chews. Huckleberry also likes to give doggy hugs.

Huckleberry loves his squeaky toys

Huckleberry walks nicely on the leash for the most part. He has strong Hound instincts and tried “treeing” a few times when he thought he saw, heard, or smelled something. Huckleberry has attended basic obedience training so he already knows some commands. He is also our play group “rock star” and gets along with basically every dog he meets. If you’re looking for a fun, outdoorsy companion, be sure to meet Huckleberry!

Huckleberry says, “There must be a ‘coon around here somewhere!”

Benji the ten-month-old Hound mix is one of the biggest puppies I have ever seen. He is basically at face-level when he stands on his back legs (which is often–he is a big fan of giving doggy hugs). Benji has plenty of puppy energy and will literally run circles around you. He likes to play fetch, both with himself or with a person, though it’s a good idea to have at least two toys to alternate since Benji is still learning to “drop” or “leave it.”

Benji brought me his toy

Benji led the way on our walk around the woodland preserve, but he would always come back to my side if I stopped walking. Benji seems to be friendly with other dogs and even cats. Benji is looking for a home that can keep up with his energy level and that will give him some training, since he’s still a puppy. Come in soon to see if Benji is the pup for you!

Benji has long legs and a long tail

Tipsy the four-year-old Black and Tan Coonhound mix is the perfect walking companion. I almost forgot I had a dog with me at one point because she was just quietly, contentedly moving at the same pace as me and it didn’t even feel like I was holding a leash. Tipsy will occasionally stop to sniff, but she mostly likes to keep moving and get her exercise.

Tipsy enjoys her snuggle sessions

Tipsy did some exploring on her own when we were in the Enrichment Park, but she mostly stayed by my side to get pet and give doggy kisses. She is very cuddly and affectionate. Although Tipsy loves people, she would prefer to be the only dog in her new home. If you’re looking for an easy-going sweetheart, be sure to meet Tipsy!

Tipsy wondering if all these toys are really for her

I also saw Barney (who sits and shakes paw), Cooper, Reggie, and Tom.