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.

Orphans of the Storm® Both Bubbly and Shy Dogs

There are a few shy dogs (a couple of which are puppies) at Orphans of the Storm® who are still super sweet! They also have made some bubbly doggy companions who are already helping them come out of their shell.

Romeo the one-year-old Treeing Walker Coonhound mix wants to be by his person’s side all the time. He loves to give doggy hugs and will happily stand on his hind legs and hold you for as long as you let him. Romeo was a little nervous when we were making our way around the woodland preserve and was far more interested in snuggling than walking, but once he gets used to his surroundings he should be a much better walking companion.

Romeo is a handsome guy

Romeo enjoyed romping around the Enrichment Park and even jumped over one of the agility hurdles after I demonstrated how to do it. He is a quick learner! Romeo would do a quick lap around the park and then come running back to me for more cuddles. He loves getting pet and will lean against you while you scratch his side. Come in soon to see if sweet Romeo is the one for you!

Romeo putting his Hound nose to use

Apollo the nine-month-old Mountain Cur mix (not to be confused with the other Apollo) is a little shy at first, but once he feels comfortable with you then he shows you what a cuddle-bug he can be. Apollo can be a little hesitant on the leash, but after some words and pets of encouragement, he’s a good walking buddy. Apollo will put his front paws in your lap when you kneel down next to him or sit on a bench. He might even give you a quick, gentle doggy kiss!

Apollo has such unique coloring!

Apollo gets along with other dogs and is currently sharing his kennel with Bubba (see below). Apollo has also gone to play groups and interacts politely with the other participants, but is also interested in getting attention from the people in the yard. Apollo is a sweet puppy who just needs to build up his confidence a little more. Come in soon to meet Apollo!

Apollo getting used to walking with a harness

Bubba the three-year-old Mountain Cur mix is friendly with everybody. He greets every person he sees with an enthusiastically wagging tail and will be your new best friend in no time. He’s small enough that he can hop right into your lap and cover your face and hands in doggy kisses. Bubba will also roll over next to you so you can give him a belly rub.

Bubba always has a smile on his face

Bubba likes to move at a quick pace and can pull a bit on the leash, but overall he’s a good walking companion. Bubba gets along with other dogs and is currently sharing his kennel with Apollo (see above). This happy-go-lucky guy is sure to bring a smile to his new family’s face. If you think that might be you, come in soon to say hello to Bubba!

Bubba is eager to explore

Mr. Brown the seven-month-old Dalmatian/Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix arrived at the shelter with his brother, who has since been adopted. Mr. Brown absolutely loves play group and spending time with other dogs. He played a little rough when he first arrived, but the older dogs have taught him much better manners and now Mr. Brown is a play group favorite.

Mr. Brown makes for an adorable Easter egg

Mr. Brown also loves people. He is very affectionate and loves to snuggle and give doggy kisses. He gladly joined me and another volunteer on the bench to get extra pets. Mr. Brown is up for anything and was even one of our Easter Egg-dogs who got decorated with (dog-safe) fur dye last week. If you’re looking for a fun-loving puppy, be sure to say hello to Mr. Brown on your next visit to the shelter!

Mr. Brown is ready to give lots of kisses!

Athena the nine-month-old Mountain Cur mix is extra shy right now, but she already has a group of volunteers who love her and are working to build her confidence. She isn’t quite used to walking on a leash yet and sometimes gets carried from her kennel to an off-leash yard, but perks up once she’s free to romp. Athena also feels better when she has a doggy companion to walk next to or play with.

Athena enjoyed the sunshine

Athena shows what a sweetheart she is once she has a few minutes to get to know you. By the end of our outing, she was coming over to me when I called to her and was giving me a couple quick doggy kisses. Athena is looking for a home that will give her the extra TLC she needs to become an outgoing puppy again. Stop in soon to meet Athena!

Athena is tentative but loving

I also saw Barney, Big Boy and Mojo, Blue, Claire (Clarinet), Gracie, Jack, Peepers, Prince, Princess, and Sox.

The play group I attended this week included Alec (Aleck), Apollo the Mountain Cur, Brutus, Elijah, Gia (Pippa), Gracie, Huckleberry, Jack, John Boy, Luna, Mr. Brown, Prince, Sasha, Tom, Whizzer, and YoYo (Yeyo). There were also new dogs who haven’t been profiled yet: Clyde, Cowboy, Eastside, Freckles, Harry, Henry, Hippo, Lyla, Mazie, and Phoenix.

Bonus shot of Athena and Mr. Brown playing!

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Romping Around the Enrichment Park

The dogs at Orphans of the Storm® truly love the Enrichment Park!

Reyah the six-year-old Labrador Retriever mix is a sweet, calm girl. She likes to be close to her person and cuddle. When I sat down on the bench, she hopped up and sat as close to me as was possible without actually being in my lap. Reyah particularly likes getting her chin and ears scratched. Although she didn’t give me any doggy kisses during our walk, she did boop my nose with her nose a few times.

Reyah relaxing on the bench

Reyah is a good walking companion. She rarely pulls and mostly seems to just enjoy being out and about. Reyah found a little hole that was probably dug by a wild animal and started digging further, but was easily redirected and kept walking. Reyah sniffed at some toys when we were in the Enrichment Park but wasn’t too interested in fetch on this particular outing. Come in soon to see if Reyah is the pooch for you!

Reyah leading the way

Rudy the two-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is a little bundle of fun. He was thrilled to run around the Enrichment Park, so most of my pictures of him are blurs of brown. Whenever Rudy saw me kneeling down for a picture, he would race over and attempt to jump into my lap. When I sat down on the bench, Rudy was right there next to me. He’s very snuggly!

Rudy sniffing

Rudy will make you laugh. Even though he has what some would consider a “tough” look, he is a little baby and got spooked by a Yorkie who barked at him from the other side of the fence. Rudy is also one of those dogs who does a little dance and wiggle when you scratch his hips. Be sure to say hello to Rudy on your next visit to the shelter!

Rudy confused by the hidden Yorkie

Luna the four-year-old Labrador Retriever/Dalmatian mix had a great time romping around the Enrichment Park. She made sure to sniff every toy and even chased after a couple, though she didn’t try to bring them back. She also enjoyed sticking her nose in all of the (currently flower-free) planters. Luna likes to follow her nose and explore.

Luna following her nose

Luna is friendly and gave me some doggy kisses. She can be a little strong on the leash when she wants to be, but walks nicely for the most part. Luna is often on the move so the majority of my pictures of her turned out blurry, but I can assure you that she has an adorable face and extra-spotty ears. Stop in soon to meet Luna!

Luna stretching her legs

I also saw Aleck, Barney, Carlos, Cooper, Daisy, Hobbs, and Vanilla.