Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Handle the Heat

It was a hot and humid day, but the dogs at Orphans of the Storm® were still happy to spend time outside!

Ajax the one-year-old Hound mix is so handsome. He caught my eye right away when I got to the shelter, so I knew I wanted to take him out first. Ajax would love to have a yard of his own. He enjoyed exploring around the Enrichment Park, calmly sniffing and exploring all the corners. He got one case of the zoomies and ran a quick lap, but settled down again quickly. When I sat down on the bench, Ajax came over to me to get some pets.

Ajax enjoying the green plants

Ajax likes to lead the way on walks. He’s a big, strong boy and can sometimes pull on the leash when he wants to go at a faster pace or go in a certain direction. Ajax is also a smart boy, and knew to climb underneath a bush to cool off in the shade. Ajax occasionally attends play group and gets along with other active dogs who like to play, so he could go to a home with or without another dog. Say hello to Ajax on your next visit to the shelter!

Ajax considering a dip in the puppy pool

Gunter the seven-month-old Pit Bull Terrier mix is still very much a puppy. He loves to give enthusiastic doggy kisses that sometimes turn into excited nibbles. Gunter jumps up and down to give doggy hugs when he first comes out of his kennel, but the heat on this particular day mellowed him out pretty quickly. He’ll happily climb into your lap whenever the opportunity presents itself, but he’s still very wiggly!

Gunter licking his hips after a quick drink

Gunter walked nicely on the leash around the woodland preserve trail. There were a couple instances where he started to chew on the leash, but he dropped it after a few seconds and continued walking at a nice pace. Even though Gunter is still a pretty small puppy, he can hold his own in play group with bigger dogs and loves to chase and be chased. He could go to a home with or without another dog. If you’re looking for a happy, sweet puppy, come in soon to meet Gunter!

Gunter wasn’t too sure about the agility equipment

Bailey the eighteen-year-old Chihuahua mix is a super senior! But don’t let his age fool you–Bailey likes to lead the way on walks and still has lots of pep in his step. I thought he would only want to be outside for a few minutes in this heat, but he loved exploring around the yard and even nimbly jumped over a puddle more than once. When I told him it was time to go back inside, he just looked at me as if to say, “But I’m not done yet!” and wanted to go in the opposite direction of the kennels.

Bailey is too cute for words

Bailey can be a little timid when you first meet him, but he enjoys getting scratched under his chin (and he has a cute little underbite) and eventually warms up to getting his sides scratched. Bailey politely sniffed another small dog while we were on our walk and has the potential to go to a home with another dog. If you’ve been considering opening your home to a senior, be sure to meet Bailey on your next visit to the shelter!

Bailey trotting around the yard

Drip the one-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix has lots of affection to give. He will happily sit down next to you and lean against you while you pet him, and won’t move again until you stop. Drip particularly likes getting his sides rubbed, and may start to roll over onto your lap so you can rub his belly too. He also didn’t let a face mask stop him from giving me plenty of doggy kisses! Drip is potentially housebroken, or close to it, because he went potty as soon as all four of his paws were outside his kennel.

Drip deciding between two toys

Drip loves toys, especially stuffed squeaky toys. He ran around the Enrichment Park carrying one in his mouth, then plopped down on the ground to chew it a bit. He also brought one toy over to me and held it while I pet him. Drip pulls on the leash when using a regular collar, but is much easier to walk when using a front-clip harness. He likes to lead the way and walk at a quick pace regardless. Drip gets along with other dogs but is a “rough and rowdy” player, so he does best with other active dogs who won’t get annoyed by him. He has the potential to go to a home with another playful dog. If Drip sounds like the kind of dog for you, come in soon to meet him!

Drip picked the raccoon

Orphans of the Storm® is still operating by appointment only, so please call 847-945-0235 to schedule an appointment to meet these dogs or any others.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Ready to Be Welcomed Home

The first week of Orphans of the Storm®’s reopening was a great success, with nearly two dozen dogs finding their forever homes! There are still plenty more who are eager to find their new family, so please call 847-945-0235 to make your appointment.

King the five-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix was recommended to me by three different volunteers, so I knew I had to meet him! They all told me how sweet and handsome he is, and now that I’ve spent some time with him, I agree. King likes to give the occasional doggy kiss and loves getting pet. He has a tickly spot on his left side and kicks his back leg while you scratch it, but stands still and gives you a big doggy smile when you scratch his right side.

King’s ears flapping while he romps

King walks nicely on the leash when using a front-clip harness. He likes to stop and sniff at different trees and clumps of grass, but overall walks at a good pace. King has a fun time romping around the Enrichment Park and will happily chase toys you throw, but isn’t always interested in picking them up and bringing them back. King would do best as the only dog in his kingdom and is looking for a home where he can be the only pet. Stop by the shelter soon to meet King!

King being a good walking buddy

Wayde the two-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix arrived at the shelter nervous of his new surroundings, but he has made lots of friends with the staff and is now making more friends with the volunteers. Once Wayde feels comfortable with you, he’ll climb right into your lap and roll over for a belly rub. He particularly likes getting his sides scratched. You’ll also win him over quickly if you give him treats!

Wayde has the sweetest facial expression

Wayde walks great with a front-clip harness. He doesn’t pull at all and walks at an easy-going pace. Wayde likes stuffed toys and sometimes wants to carry them on his walks. He kept going back to a stuffed sloth toy in the Enrichment Park, poking it with his nose and sniffing it, and eventually decided that was the one he wanted to carry. Wayde attends play group regularly with the calmer, gentler dogs and has potential to go to a home with another mellow dog. Come in soon to meet Wayde!

Wayde enjoying the cool grass under his paws

I also saw Chevy, who had no interest in walking on this hot day but curled up next to me in the grass to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine.

Orphans of the Storm® Is Now Open!

Orphans of the Storm® is excited to announce that it has reopened to the public! However, there are new protocols and procedures in place to keep staff, volunteers, and potential adopters safe. Please read the following notes before visiting the shelter:

• We are open by appointment only.
• Appointments will be daily between noon and 3pm and last 45 minutes.
• Walk-ins are not permitted and will be turned away.
• Only 2 people per party are permitted inside the shelter at a time.
• Minors must not be left unattended, so please plan accordingly.
• Please leave your pets at home.
• Masks must be worn at all times. Entry will not be granted without a mask.
• Contactless temperature checks will be performed on all entrants.

To make an appointment for either dog adoption or cat adoption, please call 847-945-0235.

And here are some of the new dogs who are eager to meet you!

Tom Hanks the four-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix already has a large fan club, and volunteers have only been back for one week! Everyone who has had the opportunity to walk him has fallen in love with this super sweet boy. Tom Hanks will be happy to join his future family out in the yard, where he can loll around in a sunny spot in the grass and keep you company while you read, garden, or play outside. He especially enjoys belly rubs and will lay by your side so you can continue to pet him.

Tom Hanks is such a happy boy

Tom Hanks walks nicely on the leash and does well wearing a harness for walks. He was very patient with me while I learned to put his harness on correctly. He’s very attentive to his person and was happy to pause several times on our way around the trail to get more pets and snuggles. Tom Hanks only pulls on the leash when he sees some dogs, but some dogs he doesn’t give a second glance. He regularly attends play group and enjoys the company of calmer, gentler dogs. Come in soon to meet Tom Hanks!

Tom Hanks wondering why I stopped rubbing his belly

Colossus the five-year-old Bloodhound mix is a big, strong boy who likes to stay active. He may bay inside his kennel to get your attention, but he’s very quiet once he’s out and about. The only sound he made when we were on our walk was when he whined at me to keep moving (I had stopped him to take a few photos). Colossus definitely enjoys his walks and keeps his nose to the ground to follow scents. He moves at a quick pace but does well with a front-clip harness.

Colossus says, “Follow me!”

Colossus would love to have a fenced-in yard to call his own. He had a fun time romping around the Enrichment Park and didn’t want to leave. Colossus tolerates other dogs his size or larger, but may be too much for smaller dogs. He also is not a fan of cats and is looking for a cat-free home. Colossus could go to a home with older children and would make a loyal family dog. Be sure to say hello to Colossus on your next visit to the shelter!

You’ll have to be okay with a bit of drool if you bring Colossus home!

Paladin the two-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix gets super excited when it’s his turn to come out of the kennel, but settles down nicely and just wants to snuggle and give kisses. When I sat down on a bench, he first put his front paws in my lap so I could scratch his sides and then he hopped up onto the bench next to me to cover my face in doggy kisses. He wasn’t too interested in toys on this particular outing and mostly just wanted to stay close to me when we were in the off-leash run.

Paladin waiting for me to join him on the bench

Paladin is a great walking companion when he’s wearing a front-clip harness and walks at an easy pace, but can pull a bit when using a regular collar. He likes dogs, so he gets excited when passing by other dogs and wants to run over to say hello. In fact, Paladin has made lots of doggy friends in play group. He’s high-energy and loves the more rough-and-tumble kind of play. If you’re looking for a sweet and playful pooch, come in soon to meet Paladin!

Paladin is a handsome boy

Turner the seven-year-old American Bulldog mix is such a happy boy. He constantly looks like he’s smiling and the expression on his big, wide face makes it impossible for people to not smile back! Turner will happily stay by your side as long as you keep petting him. He particularly likes getting his sides scratched, with his tail wagging all the while.

Turner smiling for the camera

Turner is a very easy walking buddy. He doesn’t pull on the leash at all, and goes at a more meandering pace with the occasional stop to sniff. Turner is a play group rock star and helps socialize new dogs to teach them how to play properly, so he could go to a home with or without another dog. He could also go to a home with children over 10. Stop in soon to say hello to Turner!

Turner enjoying the outdoors

Jed the seven-year-old Treeing Walker Coonhound mix is a mellow guy. He spent the first few minutes in the off-leash run just sniffing around, but eventually came over to me for some pets. He especially likes hip scratches and chin scratches. Jed walks nicely on a front-clip harness and moves at an even pace. Being a Hound, though, he does like to stop and snuffle around.

Jed in his element among the trees

Jed and I walked all the way around the woodland preserve trail at a socially distant 6 feet away from another dog and volunteer, and Jed has no problems walking with other dogs. He doesn’t pay much attention to them at all, actually. Jed attends play group but prefers being with calmer, mellower dogs like himself and is happy to do his own thing rather than engage in play. Jed could go to a home with children over 10, and is looking for a cat-free home. Be sure to say hello to Jed on your next visit to the shelter!

Jed has the sweetest Hound eyes

Pinky the four-year-old Pit Bull Terrier/Dalmatian mix is deaf, but I didn’t know that until after I walked her and I couldn’t tell a difference! Pinky acts like any other dog, but is looking for a special home that will learn to train her with non-verbal commands and make other adjustments to keep a deaf dog happy and safe. Pinky is super snuggly and will enthusiastically climb into your lap at any opportunity she gets.

Pinky enjoying the plants

Pinky walks nicely on the leash and is happy to stop along the way for more cuddling and doggy kisses. She also enjoys bounding into tall grasses and rolling around on her back. When we were in the Enrichment Park, all Pinky wanted to do was stay close to me and get more pets. She wiggles happily and turns her head around to lick your hands while you scratch her sides. If you’re interested in giving Pinky the special home she needs, be sure to stop by the shelter soon to meet her!

Pinky showing off her spots in the sunshine

And remember that we have many dogs in foster homes right now, so not all dogs available for adoption are on-site at the shelter. Please see the full list of adoptable dogs on the Orphans of the Storm® website, and the “Location” field on each dog’s page will say whether they are at the shelter or in a foster home.