Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Snuggle in the Snow

A little snow doesn’t put a stop to how much the dogs at Orphans of the Storm® want to cuddle! There are so many super-affectionate dogs available right now. You’ll fall in love with at least one!

Scooby the three-year-old Shepherd/Labrador Retriever mix absolutely loves toys. He enjoys playing fetch, though it might be best to have two tennis balls handy because he loves them so much he doesn’t want to drop the one he currently holds before chasing after the next one. He even tries to fit two tennis balls in his mouth simultaneously, though I haven’t seen him succeed yet. Scooby will happily lean against your legs or try to sit in your lap while chewing on his toys. He particularly enjoys getting his ears and hips scratched.

Scooby sniffing in the snow

Scooby is a nice leash-walking companion. He rarely pulls and walks at an easy pace. Scooby would fit in well in a variety of homes. He attends play group approximately every other day and gets along with the other dogs. He also has the potential to live with children and cats. Stop by the shelter soon to meet snuggly Scooby!

Scooby with his tennis ball (sorry it came out blurry!)

Bailey the eight-year-old Boxer mix already has years of experience living in a home. She’s housebroken and enjoys going for car rides. Bailey is very cuddly and loves getting her hips scratched. She does a little happy dance and turns around to give you a doggy smile when you’re petting the right spots. Bailey is also cat-like in that she enjoys rubbing her whole body against you when she walks by.

Bailey is happy to stay warm with a cute sweater

Bailey enjoys having a yard to romp around in. She’s also good at walking on the leash and likes going for walks. When walking by other dogs, she’ll bark if the other dog barks first, but is quiet if the other dog is quiet. Bailey has shared her kennel with a couple other dogs and is currently sharing with Meshai (see below), and she also participates in play group. However, she likes to be the queen bee in her home and would do best as the only dog. Come in soon to see if Bailey is the one for you!

Bailey enjoys the outdoors

Rhino the two-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix has become an instant volunteer favorite. Every other volunteer I’ve talked to is in love with him, and I am too! Rhino unfortunately got off to a bad start in life and was found tied to a tree. He’s missing some fur around his neck from this, but otherwise you would have no idea he’s had it rough. He is so happy, friendly, and playful. Rhino loves to give doggy hugs and doggy kisses, and appreciates receiving lots of pets in return.

Rhino says, “Yay toys!”

Rhino loves toys. He can keep himself entertained for a long time by holding a toy in his mouth and happily romping around the yard. Sometimes he’ll lay down and chew on the toy for a bit, then get back up and start romping again. Rhino is also super easy to walk on a leash. He attends play group and has gotten along with every dog he’s met so far. We’ve all seen what a gem Rhino is, and hope you’ll see it too!

Rhino thought the tennis ball thrower was a toy too

Meshai the one-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix arrived at the shelter in rough shape (skinny and missing some fur), but we’re making sure he gets better! He’s nervous and shy right now, and needs some convincing to leave his kennel. Once he’s out, though, he’s very gentle and sweet. Meshai is a little uncertain about getting pets and might pull away at first, but he gets more comfortable the longer he’s out and even starts to enjoy getting pets eventually.

Meshai was a little uncertain about the cold

Meshai really perks up when he’s around other dogs, though. He’s currently sharing his kennel with Bailey (see above) and he also attends play group. Meshai likes to actively play with the other dogs, and hops around energetically with his tail wagging. He might feel more comfortable going to a home with another nice dog who can show him the ropes. Come in soon to meet Meshai!

Meshai already knows how to use a doghouse

I also saw Badger (who is walking much better now than the first time I took him out, though he still doesn’t want to go all the way around the trail), Cocoa, and Rascal, as well as a quick walk with the not-yet-profiled Dusty (who is a super easy walking buddy). I also took Princess for a walk, and at every single bench we passed, she hopped up, sat down, and waited expectantly for me to get her lots of pets and kisses.

Play group this week included Bailey, Brunhilda, Jupiter, Meshai, Polly, Princess, Rhino, Rudgie, Sirius, Spike, Spooky, and Titus, as well as the not-yet-profiled dogs Amaryllis, Astrid, Bambi, Chaco, Clara, Dax, Flower, Hunky, Ivy, Lenny, Lucy, Max Becks, Oleander, Penny, Pongo, and Sadie Lou.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Play in the Snow

It was the first real snow of the year, and the dogs at Orphans of the Storm® were (mostly) excited to play in it!

Wednesday the five-year-old Mountain Cur mix has the cutest little bob tail, and when it wags, the entire back half of her body wags along with it. Wednesday can be a little shy when she first comes out of her kennel but gets more playful the longer she’s out. She enjoys romping around the Enrichment Park and also likes keeping an eye on things happening on the other side of the fence.

Wednesday has the cutest little nose

Wednesday likes to lead the way on walks and can occasionally pull on the leash, but I think that was just because she wanted to get through the snow faster. Wednesday is a play group regular and prefers to be with the gentler dogs. She’s also good at engaging with some of the shier dogs who aren’t sure how to play yet. If you’re looking for a sweet and gentle girl, come in soon to meet Wednesday!

Wednesday has a watchful eye

Spooky the two-year-old Hound mix is the opposite of spooky! She’s happy, playful, and affectionate. Spooky is excellent at playing fetch. She drops the ball or toy right at your feet and bounces on her front paws while she waits for you to throw it again. She’s an active girl and only stopped fetching when I stopped throwing. She didn’t seem possessive of her toys and was fine with being pet while holding one in her mouth.

Spooky is so pretty

Spooky is a pretty easy walking companion on the leash. She walks at a nice pace and rarely pulls. Spooky enjoys getting attention and will happily stand by your side while you pet her. She also gets along with other dogs and likes participating in play groups. She’s even made friends with one of the pickier dogs! Spooky also has the potential to be a family dog living with children. Be sure to say hello to Spooky on your next visit to the shelter!

Spooky doesn’t mind the snow

Peggy the two-year-old Hound/Labrador Retriever mix is a little shy at first but gets more comfortable the longer she spends with you. When I sat down on the ground, she came right over to snuggle with me and enjoyed getting gentle pets. Peggy did a little bit of exploring in the off-leash yard but mostly wanted to stay by me.

Peggy perked up during our walk

Peggy is great at walking on the leash. She stays right by your side and doesn’t pull at all. She started to get a little ahead of me during our walk around the trail, but I think that was because she was getting cold! Peggy attends play groups with other gentle and easy-going dogs, so she has potential to go home with another gentle dog. Stop by the shelter soon to meet Peggy!

Peggy is looking for some TLC

I also saw Badger, Brice, Rascal, Sirius, Turbo, and Winston. On this very chilly past Sunday, I also took quick walks with not-yet-profiled dogs Apollo (who takes treats very gently), Cheri (who likes to snuggle), and Chester (who is a perfect leash-walking companion).

Play group this week included Badger, Big Boy, Brunhilda, Cocoa, Polly, Prince, Rudgie, Spike, Spooky, Turbo, Wednesday, and Winston, as well as not-yet-profiled dogs Amy Pond, Buck, Buddy, Cheri, Chili, Flower, Fratt, Frosty, Gigi, Lola, Rhino, Scooby, and Sneakers.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Who Get Along with Other Dogs

If you already have a dog (or multiple dogs) at home with you and are looking to add another, there are so many dog-friendly dogs at Orphans of the Storm® right now! Below are just some of the ones you should meet.

Princess the one-year-old Boxer/Pit Bull Terrier mix is super snuggly. Any time you kneel down to her level, she will immediately scoot her way into your lap to get pets. She wanted to be so close to me when we were sitting together on a bench that she first put her paws on my shoulder, and then on top of my head! You can’t get much closer than that. Princess also likes to give gentle doggy kisses. She is a very easy walking companion.

Princess coming in for a cuddle

Princess is a play group regular and participates every day. Even the dogs who are pickier about their friends all want to be friends with Princess. Princess is housebroken and crate-trained. She has been around children as young as four and did well with them, so she’s ready to join a family. Be sure to say hello to Princess on your next visit to the shelter!

Princess has one cute tan ear

Badger the five-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix is the kind of dog who would rather cuddle on the couch than go on walks. In fact, the only way I got him to walk at all was to go as far as the leash would let me, kneel down, and have Badger come over for pets; then repeat; then repeat again. Badger loves to bury his face in your lap while you scratch his ears and sides. Badger eventually did some exploring in the off-leash run but came back to me often to get more attention.

Badger sticking his tongue out at the idea of walking

Badger is getting more comfortable in play group and is becoming a regular participant. He enjoys playing with the other dogs. He has some resource-guarding tendencies when it comes to food, so an adult-only home would probably be best for him. If you’re looking for a new cuddle companion, come in soon to meet Badger!

Badger likes to keep an eye on things

Brunhilda the two-year-old Hound mix is very Hound-y! We always know where she is because she is a talker who loves to bay. Once Brunhilda gets on the woodland preserve trail, though, she quiets down and focuses on sniffing. She likes to walk at a quick pace bordering on running but keeps her nose to the ground almost the entire time. She would love to go home with an active person who will take her on long walks often.

Brunhilda loves to use her nose

Brunhilda also enjoyed romping around the Enrichment Park. She poked at toys and watched me throw them, but wasn’t too interested in playing with any of them. Brunhilda participates in play group every day and loves being with the other dogs. She puts a smile on every volunteer’s face when we hear her coming. She’s a very sweet girl. Stop in soon to meet Brunhilda!

Brunhilda, summed up in one photo

Rascal the six-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix is a big, strong boy. He walks nicely on the leash for the most part, but if he decides he wants to go in a certain direction then that’s probably the direction you’re going to go in! He just doesn’t realize his own strength. Rascal enjoyed exploring all around the Enrichment Park. He sniffed at some toys but wasn’t interested in playing fetch on this particular outing.

Rascal has the cutest wrinkly forehead

Rascal loves getting his hips scratched. His whole back half wriggles and he looks up at you with a happy doggy smile. He’s a friendly boy and seems pretty good at coming to you when you call for him. Rascal has participated in a couple play groups and likes romping with the other dogs. He could also go to a home with children. Come by the shelter soon to say hello to Rascal!

Rascal unfortunately came out blurry in the rest of his photos because we got caught in some rain

Winston the two-year-old Border Collie/Australian Shepherd mix is looking for a special, understanding home. Winston has epilepsy and will probably need to be on medication for the rest of his life to prevent seizures. But he can absolutely still live a full and happy life! (My childhood dog was medicated for epilepsy and lived to be 11, with only a handful of seizures.) Winston is super smart. He already knows basic commands like “sit” and “shake” and could definitely learn more.

Winston is such a handsome, attentive boy

Winston loves playing with toys. He will happily chase after toys when you throw them, though he doesn’t always bring them back. Winston is a pretty good walking companion who only occasionally gets a burst of energy where he would rather run than walk. He’s an affectionate boy who likes to give doggy hugs. Winston gets along with other dogs and enjoys coming to play group. Come in soon to learn more about Winston!

Winston always has a knowing look

Chopper the one-year-old Labrador Retriever/Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix was adopted as a little puppy but recently returned for reasons unrelated to him. He’s not too happy about being back at the shelter and can be a little nervous when he first comes out of his kennel, but warms up quickly and likes getting pet. He’s an easy walking companion.

Chopper doing some exploring

Chopper enjoyed exploring around the off-leash yard and would come over to me when I knelt down to his level. He got more playful the longer he was out. Chopper sometimes joins play group and starts off with his tail tucked between his legs, but comes out of his shell after a bit and has made some good doggy friends. Chopper already has almost a year of experience living in a home, so he’s ready to settle in with his new forever family. If you think that might be you, come in soon to meet Chopper!

Chopper was much perkier by the end of our outing

Monty the three-year-old Chihuahua/Dachshund mix is a little bundle of energy. You haven’t seen zoomies until you’ve seen Monty sprinting around the Enrichment Park! It is too cute. Those little legs go much faster than you would expect. Even on our walk around the woodland preserve trail, Monty led the way and I almost had to jog to keep up with him.

Monty is too precious

Monty doesn’t mind being picked up and snuggled, but he would still prefer to walk on his own rather than be carried around. He especially enjoys playing with toys. Monty was sharing his kennel with another smaller dog who has since been adopted, and he has a big enough personality that he would probably get along with larger dogs too. Be sure to say hello to Monty on your next visit to the shelter!

Monty has the tiniest legs but biggest ears

I also saw Batman (Wombat), Carlos, Cocoa, Jupiter, Prince, and Turbo.

The first play group this week included Badger, Big Boy, Brunhilda, Carlos, Polly (who has just graduated from Level 2 of obedience training!), Prince, and Princess, as well as not-yet-profiled dogs Buck and Lola.

The second play group included Badger, Batman (Wombat), Brunhilda, Carlos, Chevy, Chopper, Jupiter, Pepper, Polly, Prince, Princess, Sirius, Titus, Turbo, and Winston, as well as not-yet-profiled dogs Bailey, Buck, Chestnut, Chili, Cornelius, Flower, Frosty, Garland, Hinkle, Keggy, Kylo, Lenny, Lola, Skippy, Spooky, Wednesday, and Yukon.