Orphans of the Storm® Dogs to Take on Walks

If you’re looking for a new companion to get you out of the house and moving, Orphans of the Storm® has lots of dogs ready to be your new walking buddy!

Nyla the two-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix is super sweet. She likes to give very gentle doggy kisses and lean against your legs so you can pet her. When you scratch her sides, she does a happy wiggle and looks up at you with a big doggy smile. Nyla is a perfect walking companion. She walks at an easy, steady pace and never pulls on the leash. She occasionally likes to pause and sniff around, but keeps moving for the most part.

Nyla is happiest with a toy

Nyla loves toys, especially soft squeaky toys. She happily chases after a toy when you throw it, and then chews on it to hear the squeaker. Nyla also likes when you play tug-of-war with her. Nyla attends play group almost every day and loves playing with the other dogs. She could go to a home with or without another dog, and could also be a family dog for children. Nyla has some food allergies and will need to follow a special diet. Be sure to say hello to Nyla on your next visit to the shelter!

Nyla spying on the laundry room

Ella the four-year-old Mastiff/Husky mix is very gentle, despite her large size. She likes to take her time meandering around the yard, stopping and sniffing and watching cars drive by. Ella sniffed at some of the toys in the yard, but wasn’t interested in playing with any of them on this particular outing. Ella has lots of fluff and will need regular brushing, and she politely stands still while her tufts of excess fur are brushed out.

Ella has one pretty blue eye and one pretty brown eye

Ella does very nicely on the leash. She walks just a few steps ahead and doesn’t pull at all. Where Ella really shines is in play group. She is a play group rockstar and can adapt to all play styles, from the gentle and dainty dogs to the rough and rowdy dogs. Ella has a long list of doggy friends. This means she could go to a home with or without another dog. If you’re looking for a big but gentle fluffball, come in soon to meet Ella!

Ella following her nose

Hero the six-year-old Australian Cattle Dog (Blue Heeler) mix is super affectionate. He gave me a doggy hug as soon as he came out of his kennel, as if we were already old friends. He also gave me some doggy kisses and wanted to snuggle every time I knelt down to his level. Hero likes toys and gently picks them up to carry them around the yard. He prefers to lead the way on walks and can occasionally pull when he wants to walk faster, but overall is a good walking buddy.

Hero romping in the Enrichment Park

Hero is looking for an experienced Cattle Dog owner who knows how to properly channel his energy and intelligence. He is food-motivated and eager to learn new tricks. Hero is not a fan of other dogs, so he is looking for a home where he can be your one-and-only. And since Cattle Dogs are known for herding anything, Hero would also do best in a home without young children. If that sounds like you, come in soon to meet Hero!

Hero is very attentive

Jace the three-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix is a big, handsome boy. He was very mellow in the yard and slowly followed his nose around as he explored. He didn’t even notice when I threw a toy in his direction! When I sat down on the bench, he immediately came over and sat at my feet so I could pet him. Jace also has a tickly spot on his neck that he especially likes to have scratched while he kicks his back leg.

Jace knows how to turn on the charm

Jace can sometimes pull a bit on the leash if there’s a particular direction he wants to go, but in general he was happy to stay by me. He climbed into an empty puppy pool and snuffled around, so maybe he would also enjoy splashing around a puppy pool with water in it. Jace regularly attends play group and could go to a home with or without another dog. Stop in soon to say hello to Jace!

Jace coming over for a snuggle

Princess the four-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix is very sweet. She is a super easy walking companion–she stops when you stop, goes when you go, and keeps pace with you whether you’re walking faster or slower. Sometimes she walked so close to my side that I was worried about stepping on her paws! Even when she was off-leash in the Enrichment Park, Princess just followed me around and was rarely more than an arm’s length away.

Princess was a little concerned about the coming thunderstorm

Princess loves to get lots of pets and scratches. Whether it’s her back, chin, chest, or neck–she’s always happy to get attention. And she’ll gladly give you some doggy kisses in return. Princess enjoys treats and takes them gently. She poked a toy with her nose but wasn’t too interested in playing. Come by the shelter soon to meet Princess!

Princess has the sweetest eyes

I also saw Boon and Delilah (who loved splashing around in the puppy pool).

Orphans of the Storm® Pups and Young Dogs

There are many adorable puppies and younger dogs eager to meet you at Orphans of the Storm® right now! (Also, it was another rainy day, so I apologize for the blurry and dreary photos. Everyone looks much cuter and happier when they’re dry, I promise!)

Mack the three-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix is a big, friendly boy. He can pull a bit on the leash when he first comes out of his kennel, but calms down into a nice walking companion once he gets on the woodland preserve trail. He likes to spend his walks sniffing thoroughly and exploring. Mack also likes to snuffle around the off-leash runs.

Mack standing at attention

Mack is attentive and likes to keep an eye on what’s happening around him. When we were in the off-leash run, he was poking his nose through the fence to see which people and dogs were on the other side. Mack occasionally attends play group, but prefers to be in smaller groups with females. He isn’t as much a fan of other male dogs. Mack also isn’t fond of cats, so he may do best as the only pet in his new home. Come in soon to see if Mack is the pooch for you!

Mack was skeptical about the rain

Sadie the eight-month-old Australian Cattle Dog mix (not to be confused with the other Sadie) is a little shy and nervous when you first meet her, but she gets super snuggly once she feels more comfortable. In fact, it was hard to get a good picture of her because she wanted to keep climbing into my lap or leaning against my legs. Sadie is a champion leaner. She even spent the first few play groups standing in between the leaders’ legs, but has started engaging and playing more. Her “heeler” side is coming out and she tries herding the other dogs!

Sadie is definitely a snuggler

Sadie is a nice leash-walking companion who rarely pulls, since she likes to be as close to her person as possible. Her tail can sometimes be tucked, but it starts wagging when you scratch her hips. Sadie is a smart, sweet, athletic girl looking for an active home where she can also cuddle on the couch. Be sure to say hello to Sadie on your next visit to the shelter!

I wish this wasn’t so blurry, but you can at least see Sadie’s giant ears

Fletcher the seven-month-old Pit Bull Terrier mix is a happy, playful puppy. He’s excited when it’s his turn to come out, but he quickly settles into being a super easy walking companion. Fletcher already knows some basic commands and is ready to learn more. He’s attentive to his person and will look at you often while on walks to make sure you’re on the same page.

Fletcher being a good walking buddy

Fletcher is a play group regular and enjoys playing with the other dogs. He lived with another dog before he arrived at the shelter, so he could go to a home with or without a furry friend. Fletcher also likes getting lots of pets and attention, and will give you a doggy smile with a wagging tail. Fletcher has adorable spots on his nose that will make you smile when you see him. Come in soon to meet Fletcher!

A white dog on a muddy day isn’t the best, but Fletcher still looks cute

June Bug the two-year-old English Coonhound mix gave me a doggy hug as soon as she came out of her kennel. Even when I let her off leash in the Enrichment Park, she just wanted to spend her time snuggling with me. When I knelt down to her level, June Bug curled up against me and gave me some doggy kisses while I scratched her sides. After we got our cuddling in, June Bug spent some time following her nose and sniffing all the smells.

June Bug wishing I wasn’t slowing her down

June Bug goes into Hound mode once she hits the trail, though. She walks with a purpose and is eager to track scents. Although she likes to walk at a quick pace, she doesn’t pull too much as long as you’re keeping up with her. June Bug attends play group pretty much every day and loves playing with other dogs. However, she isn’t a fan of cats. June Bug might do best in an adult-only home. If that sounds like you, come in soon to meet June Bug!

June Bug doing what Hounds do best

Bandit and Remmy the four-month-old Pointer/Labrador Retriever mixes are the most precious puppies. I unfortunately couldn’t tell who was who because they look so similar, but one is smaller with a wider white space between the eyes, and the other is larger with a thinner white space between the eyes. But whichever one you pick (or, if you pick both!), you can’t go wrong.

This one (Bandit? Remmy?) was the shier of the two

Bandit and Remmy are in the wriggly, snuggly puppy stage. They are constantly moving, jumping up to give doggy hugs, attempting to nibble your shirt sleeves, and just overall adorable. They don’t have a ton of experience walking on the leash yet, so they can be a little nervous at first and try to walk between your legs.

But Bandit and/or Remmy loves to cuddle too

When you kneel down to their level, you will soon find yourself covered in doggy kisses. Bandit and Remmy just want to be close to their person. They are very playful and were happy to play a game of tag with me as I ran back and forth across the Enrichment Park. Getting “tagged” meant getting even more kisses.

This other one (Remmy? Bandit?) wanted to be the leader

Bandit and Remmy have started participating in play groups and enjoy spending time with other dogs. They’re learning proper socialization, though sometimes they still get stuck in their puppy mentality and can annoy the older dogs a bit. Bandit and Remmy don’t need to be adopted together since they’re so young, but they do make a super-cute pair. Come in soon to meet one or both!

Happy doggy hugs from Remmy and/or Bandit

I also saw Alec(k), Barney, the other Sadie, and Turbo.

This week’s play group included Bandit, Blue, Cass, Chance, Donny, Joan, June Bug, Polly, Rachel, Reese, Remmy, Reno, Sadie, Spike, and Turk, as well as not-yet-profiled dogs Anya, Bison, Fannie, Henry, Henry Hippo, Izzy, Kida, Maggie, Queenie, Red, Sapphire, Scarlett, Sunshine, Todd, and Toes.

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Ready to Join a Furever Family

It was a busy day at Orphans of the Storm®, with some happy doggy adoptions! There are still plenty of pooches waiting for the right person to find them.

Coffey the seven-year-old black Labrador Retriever mix is a big, fluffy, affectionate boy looking for a nice family to join. Those of you who have been reading for a while now know that I love all of the older black Labs I meet at the shelter, and Coffey is no exception (though Coffey really isn’t even that old!). Coffey’s whole body was wiggling with excitement when he saw that he was going for a walk. He is a strong boy who can pull a bit on the leash at first, but after he gets a chance to stretch his legs he settles down and walks nicely.

Coffey enjoying his walk

Coffey is a fan of both giving and receiving affection. You won’t want to stop petting him because he’s just so fluffy, and he will happily give you lots of doggy kisses in return. Coffey was friendly with everybody we came across and that tail was wagging pretty much the entire time. As I always say, a Lab is a Lab is a Lab–don’t let Black Dog Syndrome stop you from getting to know a wonderful dog! Come in soon to see if Coffey is the pooch for you.

Coffey getting a nice drink of water

James the six-year-old Rottweiler/Shepherd mix was a little shy and unsure when he first came out to walk with me, but who can blame him? James came from an owner who lost their job and could no longer care for him, but James doesn’t understand that. He’s used to being in a home and has many years of experience as a loyal companion, so he’s more than ready to leave the shelter and settle into a new home with a new family.

James sniffing through the hay and grass

James warmed up to me after just a few short minutes, though. He enjoyed exploring the off-leash run and walked pretty nicely on the leash when we took a stroll around the shelter grounds. Once he realized that I was just there to give him some attention, he gave me a few sweet doggy kisses and stayed by me while I scratched his neck and hips. James knows what it means to be a pet, so let him show you what a good boy he can be!

James is a cutiepie

Jenny the seven-year-old Australian Shepherd/Blue Heeler mix is pretty much everybody’s favorite dog at the shelter right now because she is so sweet, gentle, and easy-going. She is an absolute breeze to walk on a leash: when I stopped moving, she stopped right next to me; when I started walking again, she was right there by my side, step for step. I’ve met some good leash-walkers before, but Jenny just might take the crown.

Jenny is so easy to walk on the leash

Jenny seems like she would enjoy the simple things in life. We found a shady spot in the grass where I sat down and she laid down next to me, resting her head against my leg and rolling onto her side so I could give her a belly rub. We probably could have stayed like that for the entire afternoon and both of us would have been happy. If you’re looking for a calm, sweet, laidback dog, look no further than Jenny!

Jenny’s sweet face

Frisco the two-year-old Mountain Cur mix is the perfect combination of cute and fun. Frisco is the type of dog who almost always has a doggy grin on his face, because he’s just so happy all the time! He also has a beautiful brindle coat and an adorable face and ears. Frisco walks pretty well on the leash but was happy to explore the off-leash run.

Frisco romping in the run

Frisco is a cuddly sort of guy. While we were in the off-leash run, he joined me on the bench, put his front paws in my lap, and proceeded to cover my face with doggy kisses. Frisco is also pretty friendly with other dogs. He met an older dog and a much smaller dog, and he was polite and gentle with both of them. Frisco is ready for a family to call his own–maybe that family is yours!

A bird’s-eye view of Frisco in my lap

I was also first greeted at the shelter by Molly, who gave me a big doggy hug when she saw me. I tell you, if you’re looking for a dog who will be an excellent running buddy and the best fetcher you’ve ever seen, Molly is your girl.

On the other end of the activity spectrum is Archie, who is just the sweetest and gentlest and bestest and I would have taken him home with me weeks ago if I could! He’s a little on the skittish side (he was found as a stray, after all, so it’s hard to know how much human interaction he’s had), but once he knows you’re a good guy he will stay right by you and just enjoy getting the love and attention he deserves.

I also saw my buddy Javan, who is another great giver of doggy hugs and loves getting his neck and ears scratched while he does so. This is one snuggly pooch!

Brothers Wilbur and Rosco are also still looking for their furever home. Wilbur is my favorite dog at the shelter, and he knows it. He knows it so well, in fact, that he now refuses to go back to his kennel if I’m the one walking him because he knows I’m a softy and I’ll just keep him out longer. So sneaky! Rosco is great too–I just personally prefer couch potatoes, and Rosco loves to run! If you want to see what happiness looks like, take Rosco to the off-leash run and let him loose–the pure joy on his face while he runs some laps is the best. You could see that joy every day if you adopted him!

I also need to take a moment to talk about Gizmo. People see Gizmo jumping up and down in his kennel and hurry right past because they think he will be too much to handle. Au contraire! I walked Gizmo this week and he did such a good job walking on the leash. He’s all pent up in his kennel, but once he’s out and about he calms down in just a few short minutes and becomes a great walking buddy. Gizmo is also super affectionate. I knelt down next to him and he immediately started giving me doggy kisses. Gizmo is a perfect example of why it is so important to give the dogs a chance outside of their kennels. You may be pleasantly surprised!