Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Hoping to Start the New Year in a New Home

If your New Year’s Resolution is to adopt a dog, Orphans of the Storm® has plenty for you to meet! Orphans of the Storm® will be open until 3 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and closed on New Year’s Day, but back open at 11 a.m. on January 2.

I usually end the year with a post about long-timers (dogs who have been at the shelter for one year or longer), but 2019 was such an amazing year for Orphans that there are only FIVE long-timers left! (For reference, there were 20+ long-timers in August when I highlighted some for Clear the Shelters.) Let’s make 2020 the year of no long-timers by finding the perfect homes for Barney, Batman (Wombat), Big Boy, Brutus, and Chevy.

And here are some newer dogs who would be happy to meet you too!

Brice the one-year-old Labrador Retriever mix is one of the snuggliest dogs I have walked. He’s almost like a cat, in that he will walk over and rub the entire length of his body along your legs (or back and sides, if you’re sitting down). He loves to be as close to his person as physically possible! Brice is also a big fan of giving lots and lots of doggy kisses.

Brice has a cute-yet-dignified look (especially when wearing his bowtie)

Brice loves toys. He plays fetch with people or with himself and likes carrying toys in his mouth as he romps around the yard. The good thing is that while Brice likes to chew on toys, he doesn’t destroy them or tear out the stuffing. Brice is also a great leash-walking companion. Even though Brice adores people (including children), he is looking to be the only pet in his home because he isn’t fond of other dogs or cats. But Brice will give you all the love you could need! Come in soon to see if Brice is the one for you.

Brice loves rope toys, squeaky toys, all toys!

Titus the one-year-old Boxer mix loves to give doggy hugs to whoever happens to be standing closest to him–and has a big, happy doggy grin on his face while you scratch his ears and sides. Sometimes he’s a little overenthusiastic and ends up booping your nose in the process, but he just doesn’t realize how tall he is! Titus is very attentive to whoever is holding the other end of his leash and looks up at his person often to check in. He also knows “sit” (even sometimes without being asked, if you stand directly in front of him).

Titus was very content after his playtime

Titus is a pretty good walking buddy. He sometimes pulls on the leash when he’s particularly excited, but overall walks at a nice pace. Titus also loves playing with toys. He will toss them into the air himself and catch them, and then plop down for some chewing. Titus would appreciate a nice yard to call his own, where he can play and sunbathe. Stop by the shelter soon to meet Titus!

Titus giving the camera a smirk

Rufus the two-year-old Mountain Cur mix gets super excited and jumps up and down when it’s his turn to come out for a walk, but settles down quickly once he’s out. He really likes to cuddle! Whenever I sat down on a bench, Rufus would put his front paws either right next to me or in my lap and enjoy side and chest scratches. He also likes to give doggy kisses.

Rufus is happiest in a person’s lap

Rufus is an easy walking companion. He goes at a nice pace and likes to stop and sniff occasionally. He sometimes gets excited when other dogs walk by, because he likes making new doggy friends. Rufus often participates in play group and is more of a rough-and-tumble playmate, so he could go to a home with another active dog. He could also go to a home with older children. However, Rufus isn’t a fan of cats and is looking for a cat-free home. If any of that sounds like you, come in soon to meet Rufus!

Rufus is a handsome boy

I also saw Barney.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Wish You Happy Holidays!

Orphans of the Storm® will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but back open at our normal time of 11am on Thursday. If you don’t get the dog you wished for under the tree this week, then come by the shelter to meet the perfect pooch for you!

Rudgie the six-year-old Redbone Coonhound mix is an energetic boy. He loves using his Hound nose to explore all the interesting scents when he romps around the yard off-leash. Rudgie gets the occasional burst of energy where he runs a lap or two around the yard, but then settles down to more of a meandering. Rudgie is very snuggly and will happily stand by your side for as long as you keep petting him.

Rudgie coming over to cuddle (with a guest appearance by Sirius in the background)

Rudgie is a smart boy and comes bounding over when you whistle. He would be eager to learn much more! He’s also easy-going enough that he doesn’t mind getting dressed up in hats and other cute outfits. Rudgie was previously sharing his kennel with Sirius (see below), so he gets along with other dogs. If you’ve been looking for a happy Hound, come in soon to meet Rudgie!

Rudgie has the floppiest ears

Sirius the four-year-old Labrador Retriever/Chow Chow mix is pretty mellow. He enjoyed exploring the off-leash yard on his own, at a slow and steady pace. Sirius walks nicely on the leash and rarely pulls (except for when he doesn’t want to go back to his kennel, understandably!). When Sirius comes over to get pet, he particularly enjoys getting his hips scratched.

Sirius’ sweet face (with a guest appearance by Rudgie)

Sirius was previously sharing his kennel with Rudgie (see above), so he gets along with other dogs. He also has done well being around children. Black dogs sometimes get overlooked in shelters, but Harry Potter taught us that black dogs can sometimes be a doting godfather in disguise. Come by the shelter soon and let Sirius show you how sweet he can be!

Sirius would love a yard to call his own

Blanche the two-year-old Labrador Retriever/Hound mix is pretty timid when she first comes out of her kennel, but she warms up after a few minutes and is actually very snuggly. She can also be skittish when there are loud or unfamiliar noises, but after some encouragement she gets braver. Blanche ended up enjoying being able to explore around the Enrichment Park and did lots of sniffing and investigating.

Blanche is a nice walking buddy

Blanche snuggled up with me when I knelt down to her level, and put her front paws up on the bench next to me when I sat down during our walk. She can be a little resistant to walking on the leash at first, but once we got on the woodland preserve trail she was a great walking companion. Blanche has participated in at least one play group, and being with other gentle dogs brings out her playful side. Be sure to say hello to Blanche on your next visit to the shelter!

Blanche coming out of her shell

Bessie the six-year-old Beagle mix is a little cutie. She can be a bit of a slowpoke on walks because, being a Beagle, she wants to sniff absolutely everything. If she’s going too slow for your liking, though, Bessie doesn’t mind being picked up and carried. Bessie had a great time snuffling her way around the Enrichment Park. The shelter in Tennessee where she came from said that Bessie also loves playing with toys.

Bessie doing what Beagles do best

Bessie gets along with other dogs of all sizes. She was previously sharing her kennel with another dog her size who has since been adopted, and has also participated in play group with larger dogs and actively played with them. If you’re looking for a playful pup, be sure to say hello to Bessie on your next visit to the shelter!

Bessie says, “Hey, what was that noise?”

I also saw Carlos (who gave me very enthusiastic doggy hugs).

Play group included Anya, Barney, Batman (Wombat), Blanche, Carlos, Polly, Rooster, and Turbo, as well as not-yet-profiled dogs Brunhilda, Jordan, Lola, Mrs. Doolittle, Pumpkin, and Wednesday.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Have Holiday Hope

Today and tomorrow (December 13-14), Orphans of the Storm® is participating in the BISSELL Pet Foundation Empty the Shelters Holiday Hope event. Adoption fees will be waived for dogs and cats 6 months and older. If you’ve been debating bringing home a new furry family member before the holidays, now is the perfect time!

Rooster the one-year-old Mountain Cur mix is always super excited when he realizes it’s his turn to come out for a walk. He gave me several thankful doggy hugs once he was out of his kennel (and a few nibbles on my fingers, but he is still a puppy after all). Rooster had a great time expending his energy by romping around the Enrichment Park, chasing after toys, and racing a dog on the other side of the fence.

Rooster leading the way on our walk

Rooster settles down nicely for walks, though. He’s an easy (but quick-paced) walking companion. Rooster also joined me on the bench and gave me lots of gentle doggy kisses. He is definitely a cuddler. Rooster gets excited when he passes other dogs on walks, but that’s because he loves playing with his doggy friends in play group. If you’re looking for a happy and playful puppy, come in soon to meet Rooster!

Rooster coming over for a snuggle

Poochie the two-year-old American Bulldog mix is going to be a loyal companion to his new person, because he is so attentive! When I was walking him on the leash, he would look up and check in with me often, as if he were saying, “This is okay? We’re on the same page, right?” And we always were! Poochie is a great walking buddy and very well-mannered.

Poochie has a super-cute face

Poochie enjoyed exploring around the off-leash run but came back to me often. He particularly likes getting his back and hips scratched, but any attention is welcome. Poochie is a play group regular and enjoys being with the other dogs. He’s made a couple doggy friends who he especially likes to romp around with. Poochie is a super handsome boy. Be sure to say hello to Poochie on your next visit to the shelter!

Poochie liked these long grasses

Carlos the two-year-old American Bulldog mix will immediately put a smile on your face, and that smile will only grow the longer you spend with him. He is so happy, silly, and snuggly. Carlos loves to give doggy hugs and doggy kisses–but he can jump up pretty high in the process, so watch out that he doesn’t boop your nose. Carlos is one of the few dogs I’ve seen who will turn down a treat and give the person doggy kisses instead. He particularly likes getting his hips scratched and will lean so far into you that he almost topples over.

Carlos is basically a giant puppy

Carlos loves playing with toys. Tennis balls, rubber balls, stuffed toys–whatever happens to get his attention. He’ll happily carry them in his mouth while he runs around the yard, takes a walk, or gets pet. On walks, Carlos prefers running to walking and can pull a bit if you’re not keeping up with him. Carlos gets along great with other dogs (though some bigger males aren’t as fond of him) and is a play group regular. Come in soon to see if Carlos is the dog for you!

I didn’t get a single picture of Carlos without a toy

Einstein the four-year-old German Shepherd mix is a smart boy, as his breed is known to be. He already knows “sit” and “shake” and maybe even more–and if he doesn’t know it yet, he’ll be eager to learn! Einstein likes to lead the way on walks but doesn’t pull too much. He was also fine with taking the occasional break to get some pets.

Einstein is very dapper

Einstein is pretty new to the shelter, so he was a little anxious when we were out and spent most of his time in the Enrichment Park standing by the gate and watching who walked by. He did eventually run back and forth a couple times to expel some of his energy and had a doggy smile on his face while he did so. If you’re a German Shepherd fan, come by the shelter soon to meet Einstein!

Einstein says, “Hello there!”

I also saw Peanut and Red, and played with not-yet-profiled puppy Ruby (who loves to get belly rubs and is very nice about letting go of toys when you ask her to).

Most play groups were cancelled this week due to the cold weather, but I was able to get in some extra walks with Barney, Jupiter, Polly (who is attending weekly obedience classes and already graduated to Level 2), and Turbo.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Can Brighten Up a Rainy Day

This week’s pictures aren’t the best because the dogs at Orphans of the Storm® and I got caught in the rain! Nobody seemed interested in extending their outdoor time longer than necessary. But even on a dreary day, these dogs will definitely be able to put a smile on your face.

Tahini the three-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix is happy, playful, and snuggly. She gladly leaned against my legs so I could pet her and gave me doggy kisses whenever I knelt down to her level. Tahini loves playing with toys, whether it be playing fetch with a person, throwing it in the air herself, or lying down and chewing. She enjoys a mix of stuffed squeaky toys and rubber bouncy balls. Tahini walks nicely on the leash, though she mostly wanted to run on this particular day to dodge the raindrops.

Tahini taking a break from romping around the Enrichment Park

Where Tahini really shines is in play group. She is a play group rockstar and also a designated “helper dog,” which means she plays with dogs who need to better develop their doggy socialization skills and teaches them proper play group etiquette. She’s gotten along with every dog she’s met so far and can adjust her play style to match that of her playmate. If you’re looking for a sweet dog who loves to play with people and other dogs alike but will cuddle with you at the end of the day, be sure to meet Tahini on your next visit to the shelter!

Tahini choosing which toy to play with

Peanut the two-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix (who you have previously seen me call Phat in my play group summaries, but that name was confusing people!) is energetic and upbeat. She enjoyed exploring around the off-leash run but came back to me often to get pet. Peanut has a cuddly side and scooted underneath my knees when I was sitting on the bench so I could pet her more. She later hopped up and joined me on the bench.

Peanut is a little cutie

Peanut likes to lead the way on walks and can be a little strong, so it might be best for her future family to walk her with a harness. She attends play group regularly and likes to actively play with the other dogs, so she could go to a home with or without another dog. She could also go to a home with children. Come in soon to see if Peanut is the pooch for you!

Peanut says, “Yup, that’s the spot!”

Cooper the three-year-old Beagle mix can be a little shy at first, but warms up very quickly and loves getting pet. He’ll happily stand by your side as long as you keep petting him. Cooper enjoys following his nose around the yard. He is also an easy walking companion because he goes at a meandering pace so he can catch even more interesting scents. He didn’t pull on the leash at all. When I sat down on the bench, Cooper put his front paws up next to me.

Cooper appreciates a good scratch

Cooper used to live with children, dogs, and cats. However, he still has his Hound genes and thought the family chickens were for hunting rather than observing. So, he could go to a home with children and other dogs or cats, but no birds. Cooper prefers being with just one or two dogs rather than larger play groups, and also prefers if those other dogs are closer to his size. If you’re looking for a family dog, be sure to say hello to Cooper on your next visit to the shelter!

Cooper joining me on the bench

I also saw Big Boy, Cocoa, and Pepper.

Play group this week included Anya, Barney, Batman, Kado, Nutella, Pepper, and Samara, as well as not-yet-profiled dogs Betty, Bull, Jordan, Kimbo, Mardi Gras, Millie, Raider, Roscoe, Sasha, Skippy, and Turkey. I also went for walks with not-yet-profiled Sara and Carlos (who are also play group regulars, but just happened to go for walks instead on this particular morning).