Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Who Will Protect Your Yard from Squirrels

I don’t know what it was, but almost every dog I walked at Orphans of the Storm® this week really, really, really wanted to chase squirrels!

Chevy the three-year-old Labrador Retriever mix is one of the most snuggly dogs I’ve walked in a while. When he’s walking on the leash, Chevy wants to be as close to his person as possible and was either walking literally between my legs or to my side with his body nudging my leg. A little bit of a tripping hazard, but at least you know he’ll always walk at the same pace as you! The only time Chevy pulled on the leash was when–you guessed it–a squirrel crossed our path.

Chevy is the best snuggler

Chevy loves to give doggy hugs and doggy kisses. His entire body wriggles with happiness when you pet him. Chevy also enjoys belly rubs and even manages to receive belly rubs while standing by sticking one his back legs straight out so you can get to his belly more easily. Chevy likes playing with other dogs and attends play groups. If you’re looking for a sweet, happy, playful pup, be sure to say hello to Chevy!

Chevy gives very persuasive puppy-dog eyes

Blue the one-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix is definitely still a puppy, which you can tell by her enthusiasm for everything! Blue ran several laps around the Enrichment Park and had a big doggy grin on her face the whole time. Blue has excellent vision and spotted a squirrel across the street in a neighbor’s yard, which she watched very closely and very much wanted to chase! She also wanted to chase the squirrels we later saw during our walk around the woodland preserve trail.

Blue is a pretty girl

Blue sometimes has spurts of energy where she can pull on the leash a bit, and other times when she is an easy walking buddy. She’s an affectionate girl who likes to give doggy hugs and also joined me on the bench a couple times to get extra pets. Blue doesn’t seem too fond of other dogs, so she might do best as the only dog in her future home. If you’re looking for a fun and spunky puppy, come in soon to meet Blue!

Blue showing off her doggy grin

Spot the seven-year-old Jack Russell Terrier mix was the exception to the squirrel-watching this week. He either didn’t see any or didn’t care if he did! Spot is a sweet, friendly boy. He didn’t mind being picked up, held, or carried and he settled nicely into my arms. Spot also joined me on the bench a few times and put his front paws in my lap so I could pet him more.

Spot is a little cutie-pie!

Spot is a nice walking companion and likes to do lots of sniffing. He also enjoyed exploring the Enrichment Park and smelling all the smells there. Spot participates in the “small dog” play groups and gets along with the other dogs his size, politely sniffing hello to everyone. Be sure to say hello to Spot on your next visit to the shelter!

Spot hanging out on the bench

I also saw Loki, Reeco, and Turbo.

Play group this week included Alec(k), Cass, Donny, Dunkin, Polly, Quinn, Rachel, Reese, Reno, Sadie, and Turbo, as well as not-yet-profiled dogs Al, Fletcher, Henry Hippo, Izzy, June Bug, Marley, Pepper, Pepsi, Phat, Rosanna, the other Sadie, Toes, and Toni. And new arrival Sasha was a bit overwhelmed by the group, so we went on a nice walk around the trail instead!

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs on a Drizzly Day

It was a little damp at Orphans of the Storm®, but the dogs didn’t seem to mind! (My camera did, though, so I apologize for the blurry photos.)

Prince the three-year-old German Shepherd/Pit Bull Terrier mix gave me a doggy hug accompanied by a very happy wagging tail as soon as I let him out of his kennel. Even when I let him off-leash in the Enrichment Park, he decided he would rather give me another doggy hug than go play. Prince is a very snuggly pooch! He also likes to give the occasional doggy kiss.

Prince taking a break from his squeaker snowman

Prince has plenty of energy. He enjoyed romping around the Enrichment Park and playing with a squeaky toy. He’s one of those dogs who can play fetch with himself. Prince is a pretty good walking companion, but in general likes to walk at a quicker pace. He was happy to take a break every once in a while to put his front paws in my lap and get more pets. Prince gets along with children, so he could go to a family home. Be sure to say hello to Prince on your next visit to the shelter!

Prince wanted to nibble on some of the leaves and wood chips

Rachel the three-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix loves people so, so much. Meet her once, and she will greet you like her best friend forever after. This greeting includes a doggy hug and covering your entire face in lots of doggy kisses. Rachel has one of the most waggy tails I’ve encountered. Her tail was wagging so hard when I was petting her that she knocked my camera out of my hand!

Rachel is a ray of sunshine!

Rachel particularly loves getting her hips and sides scratched. She does a little dance and looks at you with a big doggy smile. Rachel is a nice walking companion, which is good because she’s a little on the chunky side and could use regular walks to shed a few pounds in her new home. Rachel has participated in a few play groups and is getting more comfortable with the other dogs each time. If you’re looking for an extra-happy girl to join your home, come in soon to meet Rachel!

Rachel didn’t mind getting her white paws a little muddy

Reno the four-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix is one of the strongest dogs at the shelter right now, but don’t let that deter you! He’s a very friendly boy. He just likes to lead the way and decide where to go on his walks–however, he isn’t stubborn about it and will start following you if you want to go a different direction. Reno also likes spending time in the yard and enjoyed following his nose all the way around the perimeter of the Enrichment Park.

Reno enjoying the outdoors

Reno sniffed at a squeaky toy but wasn’t too interested in chasing after it on this particular outing. He gets along with other dogs and attends play group a couple times a week. Even though he might seem like the rough-and-tumble type, Reno’s actually pretty mellow with the other dogs. Stop by the shelter soon to see if Reno is the one for you!

Reno has one adorable floppy ear and one adorable perky ear

Joan the eleven-month-old Shepherd mix has lots of puppy playfulness. She loves toys and playing fetch, either with a person or with herself. She also enjoys going to play group and being with the other dogs. Joan is speedy, so she prefers playing tag (either being the chaser or the chased). Joan has attended some off-site events and enjoys all of the attention she gets.

Joan showing off her pretty blue eye

Joan is also affectionate. She likes to give doggy hugs and will happily stand on her back legs for as long as you keep petting her. She gives the occasional doggy kiss too. Joan especially likes getting scratched on her sides and will snuggle up against you when you kneel down to her level. Joan walks nicely on the leash and rarely pulls. If you’re looking for a sweet puppy, come in soon to meet Joan!

Joan is slim and agile

I also saw Blush, Chance, Sox, and Turbo (who is talkative in his kennel, but really calms down once he’s out on the trail and away from the other barking dogs).

Play group included Alec(k), Cass, Chance, Cocoa, Donny, Joan, John Boy, Polly, Quinn, and Tommy, as well as not-yet-profiled dogs Al, Dipper, Henry Hippo, Inca, Isabelle, June Bug, Preston, Sam Parker, Seadra, Willah, and Xandria.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Offer Lots of Love

Orphans of the Storm® has welcomed many new dogs after we emptied so many kennels during Clear the Shelters a few weeks ago! Now is a great time to come in and make a new furry friend.

Sadie the three-year-old Australian Cattle Dog mix is super cute and gets lots of compliments from people as they walk through the shelter. She was originally sharing her kennel with another dog who has since been adopted, so she seems to get along with other dogs (though we haven’t had her in play group yet to see how she does in larger groups). Sadie loves getting attention and particularly likes to get her hips and sides scratched.

Sadie sniffing around

Sadie walks nicely on the leash and is pretty attentive to her person. Whenever I knelt down to take her picture, she came trotting right over to me. She’s an affectionate girl who likes to give lots of doggy kisses and put her front paws in your lap. Sadie is particularly interested in squirrels and stood at attention at the base of a few trees, hoping they would come back down. Be sure to say hello to Sadie on your next visit to the shelter!

Sadie enjoying a nice scratch on the hips

Turk the three-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix is a happy, playful boy who loves toys. He saw a squeaky toy lying in the off-leash run and went face-first into the fence in his excitement to get the toy. Turk also enjoys finding and carrying sticks during his walks–the bigger the stick, the better. He can make anything fun!

Turk was proud of this large stick

Turk can be a little strong when he first comes out of his kennel, but he settles into being a pretty good walking buddy once he gets his initial burst of energy out of his system. Turk occasionally participates in play groups and has made a couple doggy friends, but he can play a little rough for some. Come in soon to see if Turk is the pooch for you!

Turk likes to be active

Chance the one-year-old Labrador Retriever/Mountain Cur mix still has his puppy exuberance. He would make an excellent running companion for an active person. Chance ran all the way around the woodland preserve with just a couple stops to sniff, and probably would have been happy to do a couple more laps if I had the endurance. He can nibble on the leash a bit when he first comes out of his kennel, but gets into walking/running mode pretty quickly.

Chance was a blur in all of his photos

Chance is a sweetie, too. He loves to give doggy hugs and get lots of pets. Chance enjoys chasing after toys but could use a little more practice on the bringing-it-back part. Chance also enjoys the company of other dogs. He is a play group rockstar and gets along with everybody. His play style is more on the “rough and rowdy” side, so he particularly likes having active playmates. If you’re looking for a new exercise partner, be sure to say hello to Chance!

Chance prefers moving to being still

Tommy the four-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix is super smart and already a fan of agility. When we were in the Enrichment Park, he completed the A-frame three times, jumped over the hurdle (on the lowest rung, but I believe he could have gone higher with ease!), and went halfway through the tunnel. And all with nothing more than a couple words of encouragement!

Tommy with a big smile

Tommy is super affectionate. He covered my face in doggy kisses at every chance he got and climbed into my lap a couple times. He also put his front paws in my lap and rested his head there while I pet him. Tommy participates in play groups and likes to play with the other dogs. He was recently given “rockstar” status because he does so well with everybody. If you’re looking for a sweet and smart new friend, come in soon to meet Tommy!

Tommy using his ears as wings

Lars the ten-year-old German Shepherd mix is super easy-going and gentle. He has a limp on one of his back legs, so he doesn’t move too fast or go too far, but he still likes to get out and enjoy the fresh air. In fact, Lars followed his nose all the way around the Enrichment Park and would probably appreciate having a nice yard to call his own in his new home.

Lars appreciating a side scratch

Lars wants to be close to his person. When I sat down, he stood right next to me so I could pet him and then gave me a little nudge so I would keep petting him. He would also pause from his sniffing to come back and get another scratch from me. Lars has participated in a couple play groups with more mellow dogs and has enjoyed their company. If you’re looking for a senior dog who just wants a comfy, loving place to spend their golden years, be sure to meet Lars on your next visit to the shelter!

Lars has the cutest folded ear

Reese the three-year-old Labrador Retriever/Pit Bull Terrier mix recently lost a front leg in a car accident, but she is much speedier than you would think! Dogs are so resilient. Reese does best with shorter walks right now, but she enjoys lying in the grass in the yard and watching people, birds, and cars go by. Reese started off pretty shy but is coming out of her shell more every day.

Reese relaxing

Reese is very gentle. She happily accepts pets and chin scratches. She’s met a couple children and seems to do well with them. She also attends play groups with the calmer dogs and has made new doggy friends. Reese has a long, happy life ahead of her and is just looking for the right family to spend it with. If you think that could be you, come in soon to meet Reese!

Reese having some yard time

I also saw Apollo (who knows “sit,” “shake,” and “speak”) and Barney (who also knows “sit” and “shake”).

Play group this week included Alec(k), Brutus, Chance, Cocoa, Donny, Lucy, Polly, Quinn, Tommy, and Turbo, as well as not-yet-profiled dogs Dipper, Inca (who gave me lots of doggy hugs when I joined the group in the yard and hopped into my lap when I sat on the bench), Isabelle, Joan, Posie, and Smokey.

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

Here is another happy success story! You may recall in my play group summaries that Baby Girl was a regular. Although I didn’t get a chance to do a full profile of her before she was adopted, I took her in and out of play group several times and she was a sweetheart. Leslie and her family saw that sweetness and took Baby Girl home! Here is her update:

Hi, this is Baby Girl’s new mom. I wanted to let you know that she is so very loved! She has only been home with us for two weeks but we cannot imagine our lives or home without her. We are her forever family and we absolutely adore her. She was meant to be ours!

I am attaching a photo of Baby the day she came home with us. She found the softest spot in the house and fell into a deep sleep! It fills my heart with joy that after so much time spent on concrete, we have the honor of filling her golden years with love, treats, and soft beds!

Baby sleeping in the softest spot in the house

I have told everyone who asks about our adoption story that it was “almost love at first sight.” The reason I say ALMOST is because I looked at Baby Girl in her kennel twice on my first visit–once as I was walking in and once as I was walking out–and she did not make an impression on me. She ignored me.

But before I left, I stopped by the front counter to chat with the staff. I said that I was interested in adopting a dog that was overlooked. I am truly sorry that I did not catch the name of the staff member who looked at my adoption application and said to me, “I have the perfect dog for you. Take Baby Girl out for a walk.”

I did not have time for a walk that first day, but I brought my daughters back to Orphans the very next day. They looked at every single dog. They had several favorites but neither noticed Baby Girl.

As we were waiting our turn in line, the couple in front of us inquired about the dog who was our first choice. We did not want to adopt a dog who had multiple adoption options, so I asked to see Baby Girl instead.

This is where the “love at first sight” part happened. I could live to be a hundred years old and I will never forget what happened next. The three of us did not walk more than ten feet from Baby’s kennel when we looked at each other… and we knew. Less than 10 steps and we all simultaneously KNEW that this gentle, quiet dog was supposed to be ours forever.

We took this photo with Baby at Orphans. This is the face of a little girl who is about to adopt her best friend!

I would say, “For the life of me I cannot fathom why such an amazing dog was overlooked by everybody,” except do I know why. She was introverted and even worse, she was 10+ years old. I don’t blame anyone for wanting to adopt a younger dog. But I can say without hesitation that adopting Baby was one of the most joyful moments of our lives.

It would mean the world if you could find the staff member who recommended Baby to me and deliver our gratitude. I remember that she had dark hair and dark eyes. I want her to read our story and know from the bottom of my heart what a difference she made. I also want to thank everyone at Orphans–all the staff and volunteers. Without your tireless hard work and dedication, adoptions like ours would not be possible.

Thank you for sharing your and Baby’s story, Leslie! I’ll track down that staff member for you.

If readers have their own Orphans of the Storm success story, please email meetthepooches@gmail.com. These happy tales never get old!