Orphans of the Storm® Has a Wide Variety of Dogs

Orphans of the Storm® has dogs of all sizes, colors, ages, and breeds. Schedule an appointment soon to find your new forever friend!

Blocky the ten-year-old Pekingese/Shih Tzu mix is super sweet and snuggly. The moment I knelt down next to him, he put his front paws in my lap and cuddled up next to me so I could pet him. He happily joined me on the bench later and enjoyed watching the world go by as I pet him some more. His fur is so soft, and his face is too cute!

Blocky standing proud

Blocky may be a senior, but those little legs can go faster than expected! Blocky loves to romp around the yard and lead the way on walks. He gets along with other dogs, so he could go to a home with or without another dog. Blocky is currently in a foster home, so you will need to email fosterdogadopt@orphansofthestorm.org to schedule a meet-and-greet if you’re interested in him.

Blocky will be a regular on his forever family’s couch

Chase the two-year-old Labrador Retriever/Shepherd mix arrived at the shelter very shy and scared, and wasn’t too interested in leaving his kennel. He didn’t mind being picked up and carried to a quieter area, though, and gained more confidence the longer he was out and about. Once he was willing to walk, he actually did well on the leash. Chase is a sweet boy who gave my hand some gentle licks while I scratched under his chin.

Chase doesn’t mind wearing a poofy scarf around his neck on cold days

Chase can (and will!) jump fences, so he needs to go to a home where he will be closely supervised if he’s off-leash in a yard. Chase has the potential to go to a home with other dogs and with children over 10. He’s currently in a foster home where he’s getting used to being a family pet and learning that he doesn’t have to be so nervous. If you’d like to meet Chase, please email fosterdogadopt@orphansofthestorm.org to schedule a meet-and-greet.

Chase doing a little more exploring

Bandit the four-year-old Mountain Cur mix is a sweet boy with some anxiety. He can be a little nervous with new people, but once he feels comfortable with you, he really likes to snuggle. Any time I knelt down to his level, he immediately sat right next to me (sometimes on my foot) so I could pet him. Bandit likes to lead the way on walks, but doesn’t pull on the leash.

Bandit likes to stop and sniff on his walks

Bandit occasionally participates in play group but usually keeps to himself, though he has made a couple doggy friends that he will play with. Bandit prefers the company of quiet, gentle adults, so he would do best in an adult-only home where he can be the only dog. Bandit also requires an intro class before being adopted, so his new family can learn more about how to understand Bandit’s personality. If you have a quiet home that could benefit from a snuggly companion, come in soon to meet Bandit!

Bandit will be your little shadow once he feels comfortable with you

Latin the two-year-old Shepherd mix loves to both give and receive affection. He gave me a doggy hug as soon as he came out of his kennel, and gave me a few more both when we were on our walk and when we were in the Enrichment Park. He also likes to tuck his chin and bury his face in your lap while you scratch his neck and ears. Latin joined me on the bench and covered me with lots of doggy kisses, too.

Latin smiling on the bench

Latin can pull a bit when he first comes out of his kennel, but he settles down into a nice walking companion when he’s on the trail. He sniffed at some toys and watched me throw them, but wasn’t too interested in playing fetch or chewing. Latin doesn’t really enjoy larger play groups, but he still has the potential to go to a home with another dog. Be sure to say hello to Latin on your next visit to the shelter!

Latin coming in for a doggy kiss

Raptor (Hudson) the eight-year-old American Bulldog mix is super playful. He loves all kinds of toys, but especially loves playing tug-of-war with a rope toy. Raptor has it down to an art form: he brings you the toy, pokes you with it until you take the other end, and then tugs! Whenever you let go, he repeats the process. If you happen to ignore him, he drops the toy at your feet and gives a bark or two to get your attention again. Raptor also fetches toys, but still prefers to play tug when he brings it back to you.

Raptor showing off his toy collection

Raptor is also a perfect leash-walking companion. Even though he’s a big boy and could potentially be strong, he doesn’t pull at all and goes at an easy pace. Raptor will gladly stand next to you while you scratch his back and hips. He occasionally attends play group and has made a couple doggy friends. Raptor could go to a home with teenage children. If you’re looking for a fun and lovable playmate, come in soon to meet Raptor!

Raptor is a handsome boy

Sheldon the five-year-old German Shepherd mix is a smart, active boy who likes to have things to do. These activities could include walks, playtime, food puzzles, learning new tricks–Sheldon is up for all of it! Sheldon walks nicely on the leash for the most part, though he can be strong when he wants to go in a certain direction. He does best when walking with a front-clip harness.

Sheldon is also affectionate. He gives the occasional doggy hug so you can scratch his sides, and he also leans against your legs when you sit down so you can pet him some more. Sheldon can bark and pull when he passes by other dogs on the leash, but he attends play group pretty much every day and has the potential to go to a home with another dog. He’s also looking for an adult-only home or home with teenage children, with people experienced with larger working breeds like his. If that sounds like you, be sure to say hello to Sheldon on your next visit to the shelter!

This will be a common view of Sheldon because he loves getting his hips scratched

Pope the three-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix can be a little unsure of new people, especially men, but turns into a total lovebug once he gets comfortable. Pope rested his head in my lap so I could scratch his ears, and would poke my hand with his nose whenever I stopped petting him to let me know I should continue. He leaned into me so much that he eventually flopped over for a belly rub, where he contentedly closed his eyes while I pet him.

Pope enjoying a chin scratch

Pope isn’t only about the cuddles, though–he also loves to play! He particularly likes tennis balls and is great at chasing after them, and can even catch them in the air after a bounce. Pope has started to attend play group and was nervous at first, but has made a couple doggy friends so far and will probably only gain more confidence the more times he attends. Pope is looking for a cat-free home, and could also go to a home with children over 10. Give Pope a chance to show you what a sweet, happy boy he can be!

Pope loves his belly rubs

I also saw Cocoa and Roger (who has since moved to a foster home).

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Will Make You Smile

There have been lots of exciting dog adoptions at Orphans of the Storm® recently! Meet some more pooches who are eagerly waiting for their turn to find their forever home.

Ginger the twelve-year-old German Shepherd mix is a beautiful girl. Don’t dismiss her just because of her age! She may be a senior dog, but she still loves to romp and sniff. We made our way to the off-leash run, where Ginger was happy to do some exploring and keep an eye on what was happening on the other side of the fence. She has that unique German Shepherd gait that you see at dog shows, which makes her seem very fancy.

Ginger German Shepherd mix 1

Pretty Ginger in the sunshine

Ginger is a big lovebug. After she had finished following her nose around the run, she saw me kneeling on the ground in front of her and came right over, resting her head against me while I scratched her back. She gave me a few “thank you” doggy kisses and after that, she stayed right by my side. What a loyal, loving companion Ginger would be! Is this sweet older girl the one for you? Come in soon to find out!

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Ginger coming over to snuggle

Maggie the seven-year-old black Labrador Retriever mix is one of the sweetest dogs at the shelter. (I say that a lot, and it’s always true, but Maggie really takes the cake!) Every quality that people love about Labs, Maggie has. Her tail is constantly wagging, she gets along with other dogs and people alike (she used to share her kennel with another Lab mix who has since been adopted), and she is full of affection.

Maggie Black Labrador Retriever mix 1

Maggie enjoying a nice chin scratch

Maggie will cover you in doggy kisses whether you ask for them or not, and her entire body wiggles with happiness the whole time. She’s not very particular: noses, chins, ears, elbows, hands–she’ll kiss them all! I’ve loved all of the older black Labs I’ve met at the shelter (like Brutus, who is still there!), and Maggie has definitely found her place on that list. Once you take Maggie out, you’ll be sure to fall in love with her just as quickly as she’ll fall in love with you.

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Maggie having a good time in the fresh air

Blue the ten-month-old Pit Bull Terrier mix is a little (soon-to-be-big) cutie. He has a very appropriate name because of that special blue-gray color of his fur, which makes his golden eyes stand out even more. Blue is one of those dogs who looks like he’s smiling. When we first started on our walk, he would look up at me every few steps for some encouragement. He did much better on the leash than I was expecting from a puppy!

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Blue has a cute puppy face!

Blue is very strong, though, and he isn’t even fully grown yet. He will definitely need to go to a home that will take the time to train and socialize him. He was getting pretty excitable when other dogs were around, and he has to learn to be as calm as he is when there aren’t other dogs. When it was just me and him, he sat by my feet and enjoyed a good pat. Blue has all of the potential to be a great pet (just like fellow PBT puppy China!)–will you be the one to give him that opportunity?

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Blue keeping an eye on the activity around us

I mentioned Silver and Snickers a couple of weeks ago, but didn’t have pictures to go along with them–so, I was lucky enough this week to get a chance to take them out again! Silver is a six-year-old Yorkshire Terrier mix and Snickers is a two-year-old Terrier/Chihuahua mix, and they currently share a spot next to the front office.

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Silver is itty-bitty

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Snickers being camera shy

Silver isn’t ready for adoption quite yet, but you can certainly come in and meet him. He seems to be a little more on the timid side but has no problems being picked up and cuddled, as long as you’re gentle about it. He’s so tiny! If you’re looking for a lap dog, you can’t find one more appropriate than little Silver.

Silver Yorkshire Terrier mix 2

Silver could be a doggy model

Snickers is a little more on the rambunctious side. When I first took him out a couple of weeks ago, he had springs for legs! He jumped up into my lap and jumped back down to the ground in the blink of an eye. When I took him out this week, he was the one who decided where we would go on our walk. But he, like Silver, certainly enjoys cuddle time.

Snickers Terrier Chihuahua mix 2

And Snickers was ready for his close-up!

Willow the six-year-old Lhasa Apso/Pekingese mix is another dog you can find right next to the front office. He doesn’t seem to be as yappy as some of the other small office dogs; he’s pretty laid-back. Willow has one of the cutest little faces and the cutest waddle-y walk. His fur is super soft, which is great for whoever is lucky enough to bring him home and snuggle with him all the time!

Willow Lhasa Apso mix 2

Willow the happy pooch

Willow was an excellent leash walker and also enjoyed scampering around off-leash in the run. He likes to sniff everything but was a little hesitant about the doggy pool we had just filled up (I’m not sure he has quite the body of a swimmer, anyway). Spending time with Willow made me smile, so just imagine all of the smiles he will bring to your life if you’re the one to bring him home!

Willow Lhasa Apso mix 1

Willow making a funny face

This week I also spent some time with Akiva (who absolutely loved splashing around in the doggy pool!), Rock (who loves to play fetch and chew on tennis balls!), and kennelmates Jade and Hugo (who are both very lovable!).

If you’re looking for a fun fall outing that you can enjoy with your pet, check out WoofFest 2013 on Saturday, October 12. Orphans of the Storm® is one of four local animal rescues involved, and we’d be thrilled to see former Orphans dogs there with their new families!

Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Want to Cuddle

I’m celebrating a few days late, but Meet the Pooches is officially a year old! The first post was on October 6, 2011. In that time, over 100 dogs have been profiled, over 60 have been adopted into their new furever homes, plenty of off-site events have taken place, and my family welcomed an Orphans of the Storm® pooch into our home! What a great year it has been!

For those of you who are considering adding a cat to your household, this weekend is a great time to meet all of the adoptable kitties at Orphans of the Storm® because it is CATMANIA! Check out all the posts on the Orphans Facebook page for more information.

Do you love to give belly rubs? Draco the two-year-old American Bulldog mix loves to get them! When Draco and I started our walk, as soon as he was on the grass he rolled over for a belly rub. His tail was wagging like crazy and he had the happiest doggy grin on his face. You can’t help but smile back at him.

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Draco resting after his walk

Draco also has lots of energy. He wanted to go in every direction at the same time while we were on our walk, and he wanted to say hello to everyone who passed by. That tail of his never stopped wagging. Draco is ready for new friends who will play with him, take him for nice walks, and give him the love and attention he deserves.

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Draco smiling for the camera

I then took out two kennelmates: Astro the five-year-old Pekingese/Spaniel mix, and Ryu the four-year-old Beagle mix. Poor Astro has been at Orphans of the Storm® for a while because he’s a bit of a barker when people walk up to his kennel. Ryu, on the other hand, is very calm and wants to sniff everybody who stops to say hello.

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Astro and Ryu ready to explore

Astro does much better when he’s out and about, which is understandable. He loved being outside and led the way during our walk. If you give Astro a chance, you might come to find that he’s the dog for you! He was perfectly willing to let Craig pick him up and hold him for a little bit. He’s just looking for the right person to snuggle with!

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Astro is precious

You can’t deny that Astro is a total cutie. He had much longer fur when I first saw him at the shelter, but has since had a haircut. He looks adorable either way, but probably appreciates longer fur in the winter to help keep that little body of his nice and warm.

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Astro loves being out and about

I haven’t talked about any Beagles recently, but there are still a few to choose from! Ryu is a great example. It’s impossible to resist those sweet, round brown eyes. One look, and you’re sold. Ryu also likes to explore and follow his nose wherever a scent leads him (but I was still able to keep Ryu and Astro moving in generally the same direction while we were on our walk).

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Ryu’s adorable face

Ryu seemed a little shy at first, but he happily received a few scratches around his ears while the three of us relaxed under the shade of the tent in the middle of our walk. He came to stand next to me and watched all of the activity that was happening around us with that Beagle attentiveness. Ryu and Astro get along very well together (and Astro has had other kennelmates in the past), so they could both go to multi-dog homes.

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Ryu at attention

Be sure to visit the shelter this weekend to find your perfect pet!