Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Looking for a Playmate

ANNOUNCEMENT: The Orphans of the Storm® Foster Program is now live! Give a dog a break from the kennel–a chance to truly shine–or somewhere quiet to recover from a procedure or treatment. All dogs come with medical care, food, and supplies (as available), and a full team of support for all their needs.

Fostering is also great because it helps two dogs at once: Bringing a dog into your home opens up a kennel at the shelter for another dog in need.

If you’re not ready to adopt, but still want to help our dogs, our foster program could be perfect for you! See the current list of foster-able dogs and, when you’re ready, fill out an application.

If you are ready to adopt, then come by the shelter and meet these playful pups!

Spot the one-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix was originally living in a home with a family, including older children, but due to a housing issue they had to give him up. That means that even though Spot is barely out of puppyhood, he already has experience in a home and is ready to join another family. Spot absolutely loves playing with toys! He particularly likes stuffed squeaky toys–but he also likes tearing the stuffing out of them, so he should be supervised while playing.

Spot has the funniest ears

Spot has plenty of energy. He loves having a big yard where he can run around with his toys. He can pull a bit on the leash, but for the most part he walks pretty well. Spot wanted to jump up on every single bench we passed, so maybe he has agility in his future! Spot occasionally participates in play groups and prefers playing with the other rough-and-tumble dogs. Come in soon to see if Spot is the one for you!

Spot is very appropriately named

Emma the seven-year-old Labrador Retriever mix is super easy-going. She’s already gone to some off-site events and is very well-behaved when meeting new people (including children) and new dogs. At the shelter, Emma likes to spend her time slowly exploring around the off-leash run. When she’s done with that, she likes to come over to get some pets and cuddles. Emma gives very gentle doggy kisses.

Emma has such a sweet face

Emma is a great leash-walking companion. She stayed right by my side almost the whole way around the woodland preserve trail. She picked up the pace towards the end, but that might be because her paws were getting cold in the snow! And even so, she never went too fast or pulled. If you’re looking for a mellow, loving almost-senior, be sure to say hello to Emma on your next visit to the shelter!

Emma plodding through the snow

Chaco the five-year-old Chocolate Labrador Retriever mix is very mellow, bordering on timid. He’s a little confused about being at the shelter and has mastered the “sad puppy eyes” look, but we know being in a loving home will cheer him up! Chaco did some exploring in the off-leash run, but always came back to me when I knelt down to his level. He enjoys gentle pets and will stay by your side. He put his nose right up to mine and seriously considered giving a doggy kiss.

I was serious about Chaco’s “sad puppy eyes”

Chaco is perfect on the leash. He walks at a nice, easy pace and never pulls. He rarely even stops to sniff! Chaco’s definitely a go-with-the-flow kind of walker. Chaco regularly attends play group and likes being with the other calmer, gentler dogs. He was also briefly sharing a kennel with another dog when he first arrived. Come in to see if you can turn Chaco’s frown upside down by making him your new family member!

Chaco enjoying the trail

Brisco the one-year-old Labrador Retriever/Pit Bull Terrier mix is literally the best lap dog I have encountered. When I sat down on the bench, Brisco hopped up to join me. He balanced all four paws on my legs and then sat down so we were face-to-face, and proceeded to cover my face in doggy kisses. He eventually took a break from the kisses and just wanted to be hugged. The only reason Brisco got out of my lap is because I stood up–and he still tried to balance on me for as long as physically possible!

I had to lean back to get a break from Brisco’s kisses!

Brisco can pull a bit on the leash when he first comes out of his kennel because he’s excited that it’s his turn, but he settles down nicely once he’s walking on the trail. He stopped to hop up on almost every bench we passed so I would give him more cuddles. He also already seems to know “sit.” Brisco has the potential to go home with older children or other dogs, though in play group he’s been very high-energy and too much for some of the dogs. He just needs to find the right buddy. Be sure to say hello to Brisco on your next visit to the shelter!

Brisco says, “Will you stop taking pictures and pet me instead?”

Springer the three-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix arrived at the shelter a little wary of people, but made instant friends with shy puppy Skye (who is now in a foster home). He’s starting to make more human friends, too, and was very playful when I took him out. Springer found a toy in the off-leash run and started tossing it around and chewing it right away. He did start to tear out some of the fluff, though, so heavy-duty toys might be better for him in his future home.

Springer’s ears may be able to access satellite TV channels

Springer is still learning to trust the person at the other end of his leash, so he can pull a bit when he’s walking on the trail. But if you stop walking and start to pet him, he’ll gladly stand by your side for a bit before continuing on. Springer has the potential to go to a home with children over 5 or with another dog. Stop by the shelter soon to meet Springer!

Springer looking skeptical

Haruto the one-year-old Pit Bull Terrier/Pointer mix loves toys. Stuffed squeakies, tennis balls, ropes–you name it, he’ll play with it! He’s about halfway to being good at fetch. Haruto enjoys chasing after toys when you throw them, but then he’ll just plop down and start chewing it instead of bringing it back to chase again. If you have two toys handy, though, he’ll drop the one toy to run after the next. Haruto is another dog who thinks it’s great fun to pull out the stuffing.

Every picture of Haruto was an action shot

Haruto’s entire body wriggles with happiness when you pet him. It starts with his wagging tail and then goes all the way up, so even his head moves back and forth while he gives you a big doggy grin. It is adorable. Haruto also likes to give the occasional doggy hug and get his sides scratched while he’s standing up next to you. Haruto is basically still a puppy, so he could use some extra training when it comes to walking nicely on the leash rather than pulling in excitement. If you’re looking for a happy puppy, come in soon to meet Haruto!

Haruto taking a sharp turn

I also saw Bailey (who loves to cuddle) and Meshai (who is so well-behaved that he sometimes gets to be the front desk dog).