Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Who Want to Play, Then Snuggle

If you’re looking for a dog who likes to play hard and then snuggle hard, Orphans of the Storm® has the right dogs for you!

Hunter the two-year-old Irish Wolfhound mix is very handsome. I’ve been wanting to walk him for a while, but he’s popular with all of the volunteers so usually someone else gets to him before I can! Even though Hunter is a big boy, he’s very gentle and even skittish sometimes with loud noises or sudden movements. (For example, when a small little fluffball barked at Hunter from its kennel, poor Hunter jumped and accidentally ran into a wheelbarrow.)

Hunter enjoying a hip scratch

Hunter is a great walking companion. Despite his size, he doesn’t pull on the leash or try to lead the way. He just goes at an easy pace right by your side. Hunter enjoyed exploring around the Enrichment Park and followed his nose to get all the smells. When he finished his tour of the yard, he came right to me so I could pet him. Hunter is looking to be the only dog in his new home. Come by the shelter soon to meet Hunter!

Hunter has the cutest wrinkles between his ears

Daffodil the one-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix is a sweet, snuggly girl. Every time I knelt down to her level, she came bounding over and cuddled up next to me while I pet her. Daffodil has the best, happiest doggy smile and will smile at you the entire time you’re petting her. She also likes to give doggy kisses. One of Daffodil’s favorite things, though, is water. She loves jumping into the puppy pool and lays right in the middle to cool off. Then she’ll come and snuggle with you some more!

Daffodil being smiley

Daffodil prefers hanging out in the yard rather than walking, and can sometimes resist going for a walk. If you start to jog for a few steps, though, the momentum gets her going and she walks well. Daffodil is looking for a home where she can be the only pet, and would probably do best with an adult-only home as well. Daffodil just moved to a foster home, so if you are interested in meeting her, please email fosterdogadopt@orphansofthestorm.org and they will set you up!

Daffodil has the right idea on a warm day

Meredith the two-year-old Catahoula Leopard Dog is a big fan of cuddling. She literally sits on your feet (not next to, but on) and looks up at you so you have no choice but to pet her. When I knelt down to her level, she came right over and leaned against me so I could pet her even more. She also likes to give doggy kisses. And when Meredith is happy, her entire body wags from side to side along with her tail.

The happy face you could come home to every day if you adopt Meredith!

Meredith loves playing with toys. She’ll happily carry one around in her mouth while she romps around the yard and plays a bit of fetch with herself. She’s also learning how to play fetch with people, but she doesn’t always bring the toy right back. Meredith likes to lead the way on walks and moves at a brisk pace, but doesn’t pull if you’re keeping up with her. Every single person we passed during our walk stopped and exclaimed over how pretty she is, so she’s sure to get compliments from her future neighbors. Be sure to say hello to Meredith on your next visit to the shelter!

Meredith taking a break from her toy

Charlie Daniels the five-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix is a happy, playful boy. When I came to get him from his kennel, he gave me a quiet “woof” to let me know he was ready to go and then gave me a doggy hug right away. Charlie Daniels is great at snuggling and sat next to me on the bench, where he gave me doggy kisses while I pet him. He particularly enjoys hip scratches. Charlie Daniels is a nice leash-walking companion overall, but can occasionally pull if there’s a particular direction he wants to go.

Charlie Daniels loved this squeaky cow

Charlie Daniels loves toys and especially loves playing fetch and tug-of-war. He brought a toy straight to me and stood in front of me until I took it. We played tug for a few seconds, then he dropped it so I could throw it for him. Rinse and repeat! Charlie Daniels could go to a home with or without another dog, and he could also go to a home with children. If you’re looking for a new furry family member, come in soon to meet Charlie Daniels!

Charlie Daniels trotting along

I also saw Emma (who basically fell asleep in my lap while I rubbed her belly) and Princess (who just wanted to spend the whole time snuggling).

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs on a Rainy Fall Day

It was a cool and damp weekend, but that didn’t stop the dogs at Orphans of the Storm® from coming out and romping in the rain! (My camera didn’t handle the rain as well as the dogs did, though, so apologies for the rough/blurry photos this week.)

Also, mark your calendar for Saturday, October 27! Orphans of the Storm® is hosting a “Top Dog Competition” in the Enrichment Park. Whizzer, Elijah, Prince, Brutus, John Boy, Reeco, and Kacy & Oliver will be competing for Top Dog–and for the hearts of potential adopters!–by showing off their skills. It will be a fun time for all!

Sasha the five-year-old Irish Wolfhound mix is nice and patient. She politely stayed still while I put her leash on. Then, when I was having trouble opening the gate to the Enrichment Park, Sasha just stood by my side and waited until we could finally get in. She rarely pulled on the leash when we made our way around the woodland preserve, too.

Sasha sniffing

Sasha can sometimes keep to herself and likes to explore at her own pace, but she will soon come over to get pet. She has a serious look, with her bushy eyebrows and beard, but the rest of her fur is surprisingly fluffy and soft to pet. Sasha would prefer to be the only dog in an adult home. If that sounds like your situation, come in soon to meet Sasha!

Sasha says, “Okay, I’m ready to get out of the rain now.”

Dusty the three-year-old Labrador Retriever mix was super excited when he realized it was his turn to come out for a walk. He gave me a doggy hug right away, and then we were off. Dusty is a playful and energetic pooch. As soon as he was let off the leash in the Enrichment Park, he zoomed around and around. Dusty would definitely love to have a fenced-in yard to call his own!

Dusty investigating the tree trunk

Dusty is always happy to take a break from his running to snuggle and give more doggy hugs. He has such a cute face! Once he got his initial burst of energy out of his system, we hit the trail and Dusty did a pretty good job walking on the leash. Dusty isn’t too fond of other dogs, so he would prefer to be the only one in his new home. Be sure to say hello to Dusty on your next visit!

Dusty has the cutest forward-facing ears

Fluffy the twelve-year-old Border Collie mix is super easygoing. Other than his calm nature and gray face, though, you wouldn’t really think of him as a senior! Fluffy enjoys spending time outside by exploring the yard and going for walks. He is a great walking companion who doesn’t pull on the leash at all. Fluffy is also affectionate. He likes getting pet and will give you plenty of gentle doggy kisses.

Fluffy is not exactly the most fluffy

Fluffy seems to get along with other dogs. He politely sniffed and wagged his tail at Jack through the fence. When we passed by the toy bin on our way back inside, Fluffy stopped and stuck his nose in to search for the perfect toy. Hopefully he will have a toy bin to call his own in his new home. Don’t let Fluffy’s age deter you from getting to know him. Come in soon to meet sweet Fluffy!

Fluffy says, “Let me at ’em!”

Katfish the three-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix is a very good boy. He knows his basic commands and walks great on the leash. He pretty much heels on your left side without even being asked. When Katfish is greeting someone new, he sort of ducks down at first and wags his tail like, “Who, me? I’m nice and small!” (even though he is not small). After that, he’s all about the snuggles.

Katfish is lovey-dovey

Katfish loves people and gets along with children, though we recommend he go to a home with kids 5 years and older so he doesn’t accidentally knock a smaller one over. Katfish is not a fan of other dogs or animals, though, so he would do best as the only pet in his new home. Passing another dog is also the only time Katfish starts pulling on the leash, and he can be strong. Katfish also has some allergies that his new family needs to be aware of. Stop by soon to say hello to Katfish!

Had to borrow an official Katfish portrait since the rest of mine didn’t come out!

Reggie the three-year-old Australian Shepherd mix is super sweet and loves people. He loves people so much, though, that he gets extreme separation anxiety when he’s left home alone. Because of this, he has been in and out of several homes already. Reggie is looking for an active home familiar with his breed, with a person who is home the vast majority of the time and who can help train him to feel more comfortable on his own.

Reggie is super handsome

Reggie is very affectionate. He’ll happily try to climb into your lap or lean against you, and give you plenty of doggy kisses while you pet him. Reggie walks great on the leash and is very attentive to the person walking him. He likes toys and can play fetch with himself! Reggie needs a dedicated owner so he can finally learn to trust that he won’t be left behind. If that sounds like you, come in soon to meet Reggie!

Reggie loves toys

I also saw Jasmine (who is so sweet and snuggly), Murphy, Nash, Phantom, and Trent.