Since the big Rottweiler wasn’t an option anymore, I went in a different direction–Frito, the three-year-old Chihuahua mix. What an absolute cutie! Poor Frito was hit by a car a while back, but he’s all better now, running and sniffing like any other happy dog. He jumped into my lap when I opened his kennel in his excitement to go out and behaved nicely while I put the leash over his head.

Frito enjoying the bright sun

I don’t have too much experience with Chihuahuas, so I thought I might as well try and see if Frito had any interest in playing fetch. Maybe if he had a ball that is more Chihuahua-sized. He sniffed the tennis ball and that was that. Frito was far more interested in sniffing in the hay.

Frito looking cute

His fur is very soft and very cute, with those brown spots on his back and ears. Turn his luck around, and come make a new “furever” friend!

Look at those ears!

Next up was Bella, a six-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix. She’s also extremely cute, and smaller than some of the other Pit Bull Terriers at the shelter. She was ready to get outside on this bright, sunny day and explore the run.

Bella's adorable face

While exploring, she found the same big ball that Chili had such a fun time with last week. Holding the handle of this ball would have been far too easy for Bella, though. She was convinced that she could get her mouth around it and carry it that way. Instead, she spent most of the time scratching at it with her paws and rolling it along the ground.

Bella with her favorite ball

Bella also discovered a Frisbee under the bushes, and seemed either amused or perplexed by the idea that as much as she scratched at it with her front paws, nothing happened. She eventually realized that if she scratched the edge of it, it moved along the ground. Not nearly as exciting as her ball, though. This silly, playful girl is eagerly awaiting a new home. Maybe it will be with you!

Bella being playful

Chili is an adorable two-year-old Labrador Retriever mix who loves to play. When we got inside the off-leash run, she didn’t seem to be particularly fond of the dog on the other side of the fence. All I had to do was throw a tennis ball, though, and she was off and running and ready to play with me.

Chili sniffing in the bushes

She loved the big, green ball with a handle that she could hold in her mouth even more. She would pick it up, run with it, trip over it, shake it around, throw it in the air; this girl can entertain herself very well. But she would much rather have human friends to play with!

Chili’s precious face

Chili had lots of energy, but was also happy to stop playing fetch for a few moments so I could pet her. She is so soft! And with a face as cute as hers, who can resist?

Chili watching the excitement on the other side of the fence

Firefly (who has since be renamed Lady–that is the name you will find on her info card on the front of her kennel) is an angel, which most people wouldn’t expect from her appearance. This five-year-old almost pulled me over when we first started our walk, but she can’t help the fact that she’s a Rottweiler/Doberman mix and I have no upper-body strength. If you are looking for a big dog with an even bigger heart, Firefly is your girl.

Firefly being a sweetie

Once we were inside the run, I thought she would want to run around. Instead, she was perfectly content to sit next to me and put her head in my lap. As long as you’re petting her, Firefly will stick by your side. I thought she should get some exercise, though, so I walked with her around the run and gave her a chance to sniff in the bushes.

Just look into those loving eyes and you’ll fall in love!

Firefly and her brother Ryder (who I plan to take out next time) both have many years of experience as a family pet. Unfortunately, their owner had to move to an apartment building that doesn’t allow dogs, and that is how they found themselves at Orphans of the Storm®. Don’t be turned off by Firefly’s initial strength; she’s a real sweetheart who is looking for a new family to love.

Firefly is a beautiful dog

Princess, a ten-year-old Chow Chow mix, certainly looks like royalty. She has that unique Chow coat and adorable Chow face. If you watched the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show this past week, like I did, you’ll know that Martha Stewart is a Chow fan. Since Princess is a mix, she probably wouldn’t get too far in the show ring–but she can certainly be your best in show!

Princess looking regal

Princess is smaller than the average Chow and has a pink tongue, rather than the usual blue-black one. That’s perfectly all right, though. She walks very well on the leash and was happy to stand next to me and get a nice pat. She is a calm dog who took her time walking around the run, rather than scampering about.

Princess watching the spitz and people in the other run

There was a little spitz in the run next to us, and Princess was acting very friendly towards it. The spitz, however, seemed a little intimidated by Princess’ size and wasn’t as interested in being friends. But it’s a good sign that Princess can get along with dogs big and small.

Princess' sweet face

Rizzo is a beautiful eight-year-old Shepherd mix. My guess is that he’s mixed with an Alaskan Malamute: he has a cute shepherd face and a white, fluffy body with a curled tail. We had a nice jog over to the run (Rizzo was eager to stretch his legs) and then Rizzo enjoyed exploring behind and under the bushes.

Rizzo sniffing

After his initial burst of energy, he too was calm. On the info card outside his kennel, it says that he is a favorite of the staff and volunteers at the shelter. It’s very obvious why! He is a sweet dog who kept leaning against me as I pet him. I ended up with white fur all over me, but that’s what lint rollers are for. This guy is well worth it.

Rizzo enjoying the outdoors

On our way back inside, Rizzo walked much better on the leash. We didn’t stop by the windows to the cat room, but it also said on his info card that he gets along with cats. So, you can stop by CATMANIA! to adopt a new cat and then come visit Rizzo and take him home. He’s a great dog with lots of love to give. And he comes when you call him!

Rizzo being camera shy

Sampson is an eight-year-old black Labrador Retriever mix. I’ve been visiting Orphans of the Storm® for over four months now, and there is something that I find puzzling–I have seen many black Labs (like Chewy and Rosemary), but almost no yellow or chocolate ones. I know there’s a stigma with black cats, but a Lab is a Lab is a Lab. It certainly doesn’t matter what color they are. You’re still going to get a great personality.

Sampson coming to say hello

Sampson, for example, seems like a dog who just wants to please. He is a happy dog whose tail never stopped wagging the entire time I was out with him. He also never went too far from me; he would sniff around the perimeter of the run, and then come back for a reassuring scratch on the back.

Sampson waiting for me to continue scratching his back

Be aware that he is a big boy, and therefore a strong boy, especially when you first take him outside. I took him for a walk around the property after we spent some time together in the run, though, and was able to get him to walk next to me without much persuading. Like I said, Sampson wants to please. This good boy is ready for his new family to take him home.

Sampson interested in the tennis ball

Marty exploring

Marty has a ticklish spot on his back, towards the base of his tail. He’ll do a little dance with his back legs while you scratch it, which is too cute. He also enjoys being scratched on the right side of his neck, which I learned once we went back inside the front office of the shelter. He kept leaning into my hand until he was on his side on the floor.

Marty with a ball that is far too big for him

When I sat down on the bench in the front office, he put his little front paws up on the bench next to me so I could continue to pet him. When it was time for him to go back to his kennel, he was perfectly fine with me picking him up and carrying him. He’s very calm inside the kennel, preferring to curl up on his doggy bed while his kennelmate Dumbo draws attention to himself.

Marty wondering when we're going back inside

Next up was Precious, a two-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix. She is very capable of being as precious as her name implies, but you have to give her a little time to settle down. This pretty girl has some hops! She will need an owner capable of teaching her that it is generally impolite to jump up on people.

Precious on the move

After she calmed down, Precious was very sweet. She leaned against my legs and enjoyed getting her back, side, and ears rubbed. While I was sitting on the bench, she jumped up next to me and stood still while I pet her. She was Stewie‘s kennelmate before he was adopted, so we know that she can do well with other dogs.

Precious looking precious

Lastly was Tino, the seven-year-old Jack Russell Terrier mix (not to be confused with Tino the Chihuahua, who I visited last week). This little guy hasn’t been at the shelter for very long, and I suspect that he will get adopted very soon! He is an affectionate little bundle of energy.

Tino's cute face

Tino was thrilled to be able to stretch his legs and ran around happily once he was off-leash. I sat down on the bench while he worked off his energy, and he eventually came over and hopped up onto the bench next to me. He put his front paws in my lap and gave my nose a few loving doggy kisses.

Tino romping

I ran around with him a little bit more and then we both returned to the bench, where Tino again crawled into my lap. He is such a lovable and loving dog! If you’re looking for an older dog who still wants to play, but is also the perfect lapdog, Tino is definitely one to visit.

Tino in my lap

Before I introduce you to this week’s dogs, I wanted to let you know that the pooches will be out and about again this Saturday, January 28th. You can find adorable adoptables at both Petsmart (291 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook) and Wags on Willow (840 Willow Rd., Northbrook) from 11am-2pm. Stop by and say hi to some wonderful dogs looking for a wonderful home!

Up first today was Tino, a 6-year-old Chihuahua mix. Tino ran up to me and put his little front paws on my legs (they didn’t even reach my knees) to say hello with his tail wagging. We took a walk around the property and Tino liked walking in the snow, even when it was deeper than he is tall.

Tino being curious

He is an affectionate little guy. When I got down on his level, Tino put his paws in my lap and licked my nose happily. He’s also very curious–he likes to sniff everything. Even so, he walked well on the leash.

Tino in the snow

I brought him into the front office so we could both warm up a little bit, and when I sat down on the bench he put his front paws on the bench next to me and buried his cute little face against my leg. I scratched his neck and back for a little bit, and he seemed to love the attention.

Tino enjoying his walk

After meeting Dumbo at Petsmart last week, I knew I had to take him out to one of the runs and get to know him on my next shelter visit. So, today was that day. He is a 6-year-old Terrier mix and much too cute to not find a home. Dumbo has lots of energy and loved playing with the dog in the next run, chasing her along the fence and barking playfully.

Dumbo being adorable

After running off his energy, Dumbo hopped up onto the bench next to me for a while as I scratched his ears and back. He put his cute nose in my face a couple times so we could get better acquainted.

Dumbo, who got a little muddy

Dumbo would do well with a family that can give him the exercise he needs, and the love and attention he deserves. He’ll be happy to settle down and be a lap dog after going for a nice walk or playing in the yard. And how can you say no to that precious face?

Dumbo's precious face

Speaking of precious faces, the last dog I met today was Cappy, a 7-year-old Labrador Retriever/Chow Chow mix. One look at that face, and you’re in love. Cappy is one of the dogs who will push his body against the side of his kennel so you can give him a nice scratch as you walk by. In fact, he wanted me to pet him so badly that he wouldn’t even go outside when I opened his doggy door. I had to tell him repeatedly that I would meet him out there, and that he would enjoy being scratched much more once we didn’t have a fence between us.

Cappy looking at the camera

Cappy‘s initial burst of energy means he can be a bit strong when you first take him out on the leash, but he was much, much better on his walk back at the end of our visit. (Again: why you shouldn’t be turned off from a dog right away just because he pulls on the leash at first.)

Cappy enjoying the winter sun

While we were inside the run, Cappy walked over to where I was kneeling and leaned against me so I could continue that scratch I had started back inside. He especially likes to get his hips scratched. And his fur is so soft! He really is a very handsome dog, with those light brown eyes and a round face.

Cappy, so handsome!

Stop by Orphans of the Storm® to see if one of these pooches is the right fit for you and your family!

Today, dogs were at Pet Supplies Plus in Highland Park and Petsmart in Northbrook. I stopped by Petsmart to say hello to some old four-legged friends and meet a new four-legged friend.

The first pooch I saw when I walked in the door was Cody, a personal favorite because of how friendly he is. I knelt down to say hello and he jumped right into my lap (or, as much of him as could fit in my lap) and gave me some doggy kisses. This poor guy has had some fortunes followed by misfortunes since I first wrote about him. A family came in and adopted him (yay!), but the dog they already had at their house wouldn’t stop picking on Cody (boo!), so they had to return him just a few days later. This is a good time for a reminder: if you have a dog or dogs already, bring them to the shelter to meet their possible new friend. We want to make sure that everyone gets along so it can be a happy home!

Cody greeting customers by the entrance

Bear and Coco were also working the crowd at Petsmart today. They are such pretty dogs, and so well behaved! Bear was happy to sit for a treat, and Coco was cool as a cucumber. Both of them like to stick out a front paw for a shake. Bear was being especially affectionate today; like Cody, he tried to climb into my lap. When that didn’t work, he tucked his head against my stomach and stood still while I scratched his neck. Coco is always a good dog to go to if you’re looking for a kiss on the back of your hand.

Bear walking around the store

Coco being a perfect pooch

Lastly, I introduced myself to Dumbo, a six-year-old Terrier mix. This guy is a real sweetie! He was the dog who could fit into my lap. I haven’t profiled too many small dogs yet, and I can see that I’ve been missing out. Dumbo has an adorable face, topped by those big ears. He loves being pet and will get nice and close to you. And look at that curly tail!

My new friend, Dumbo

You can find all these wonderful dogs, and many more, at the shelter every day of the week. Stop by to say hello, and be sure to ask to take them out into one of the off-leash runs to get to know them better!

Coco and Bear arrived at Orphans of the Storm® together just a couple months ago, and would be thrilled to find a new loving home together. They are best friends and playmates and spent the first five years of their lives in the same house. They are five-year-old Border Collie mixes and they are beautiful, sweet, well-behaved dogs.

Bear and Coco make a such a cute couple!

I don’t have much experience walking two dogs simultaneously (just when I took Mink and Puggie out together), but these two were pretty easy to manage. The leashes got a little tangled a couple times, but overall they enjoy walking next to each other and stopping to sniff the same things.

Coco sniffing the still-visible grass

Coco watching Bear on the other side of the bushes

They can be playful, which is why it’s good they have each other. They chased each other around the run, yipping happily at the chance to get some exercise. Bear would stay on one side of the bushes and Coco stayed on the other; they watched each other carefully through the branches and mirrored each other’s movements until Bear would make a break for it and Coco went running after him.

Bear getting ready to run

Bear greeting the camera

These two best friends would love to add another companion (or an entire family!) into their lives. Who wouldn’t want two wonderful Border Collies by their side?

Bobo the three-year-old Wired Hair Terrier mix is the dog I was originally drawn to on my very first visit to Orphans of the Storm®. He is a real cutie. Since I’ve started to make my way through the long-timers and old-timers at the shelter, I thought it was finally time to get to know Bobo.

Bobo using his terrier nose

Please do not immediately walk past this dog just because he barks from inside his kennel. As soon as he was out on the leash, a peep didn’t come out of him. He didn’t pull on the leash as we made our way to the run—it was more me encouraging him to keep moving because he wanted to stop and sniff everything with that terrier nose of his.

Bobo closing his eyes against the bright winter sun

Once we were inside the run, the sniffing continued. I followed him around for a bit and then knelt down, and he stood next to me as I pet him. After a few minutes, he decided he was enjoying himself and sat down so I could continue petting him. A few minutes after that, he rolled over for a belly rub. That belly rub lasted about fifteen minutes, and Bobo’s face was the picture of contentment. Especially in the warm sunlight, he looked like he could’ve stayed there all day.

Bobo loving his belly rub

It broke my heart to tell him that we had to go back inside. Even after I stood up and stopped rubbing his belly, he stayed on his back and looked at me, like, “Wait! Why did you stop?” This guy is just too sweet. All he wants is someone to give him the attention he deserves. Give Bobo a chance and get to know him outside of the kennel.

Bobo wondering, "Why did you stop rubbing my belly?"

Last for the day was Rosemary, a nine-year-old newcomer to the shelter. She is a black Labrador Retriever mix and very friendly, as Labs are known to be. She jumped up a few times as I was putting her leash on as a greeting, but once we were out in the open the jumping stopped and she did well on the leash.

Rosemary out and about

Even though she’s nine years old, she would still like to get enough exercise to stretch her legs. Once she’s had enough exercise, she’ll be thrilled to curl up next to you and receive all the petting and praises you can offer. Rosemary sat next to me while I was on the bench and I found a tickly spot on the right side of her neck. She enjoyed getting her back and ears scratched as well.

Rosie investigating under the bench

Don’t count this sweet girl out just because of her age. She still has lots of doggy love to give, and wants to share it with a new family!

Rosemary with her lab tail wagging

Saturn, for example, is a playful four-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix who would love to ring in the New Year with a new family. Saturn already has several years of experience as a pet and would make an incredibly happy companion. This adorable boy’s tail was wagging the entire time I was with him.

Happy Saturn

Be sure to have some chew toys for him. He would be thrilled to relax on the couch next to you, happily gnawing on a toy. Saturn loved to chase after the tennis ball and then go into his playful pose and chew it for a few minutes before dropping the ball so I could throw it again.

Saturn being playful

Saturn also adores belly rubs. He was just too cute: he would roll over, still with the tennis ball in his mouth, and kick the air with his happy paws while I rubbed his belly. It’s impossible to not smile when you’re with Saturn; he spreads happiness with his doggy grin and wagging tail.

Saturn with his tail wagging

Stewie is also eager to find a new home. This four-year-old hound mix will definitely grab your attention when you walk past his kennel because of his pretty coat and stunningly blue eyes. When we were taking a walk around the property, a visitor to Orphans of the Storm® passed us and said, “Oh! Look at those pretty eyes!”

Look at Stewie's beautiful blue eyes!

Stewie is a sweetie. When we were inside the run, he joined me on the bench and put his face right in front of mine so we could get better acquainted. He enjoyed a nice scratch behind the ears before we headed out on our walk around the shelter.

Stewie on our walk

Stewie loves to go on walks. We made our way to the front gate of Orphans of the Storm® and he stuck his nose through it in hopes of being able to go for a longer walk. I felt so terrible saying no to him that I promised him a treat for going back inside with me. Stewie prefers Beggin’ Strips to Milk-Bones, for future reference.

Stewie is such a beautiful dog!

Bandit is a super-cute five-year-old Labrador Retriever mix who was very happy to go for a walk around the property today. Like our friend Stitch, Bandit would do well with a taller fence around his future yard. He led the way on our walk today, doing lots of exploring.

Bandit on our walk

Although Bandit has lots of energy, he stopped next to me when I sat down on the bench so I could pet him. He led us to both ends of the property and stopped at the gates leading to the outside world, eagerly hoping that we could go for a longer walk. It was hard to tell him that it would have to wait for another day.

Bandit's lovely profile

Bandit is ready to find a new buddy to love! Will it be you? Visit Orphans of the Storm® and take him for a stroll.

Bandit sniffing in the hay

Horatio has a big name for a little dog. He is a four-year-old Italian Greyhound/Terrier mix with tufts of fluffy gray hair on his otherwise brindle face, and he was incredibly excited to come outside with me.

Horatio in the hay

Being part Italian Greyhound, this little guy can run! He enjoyed chasing after the tennis ball, but wasn’t so interested in bringing it back. He loved bounding around inside the run and would come back to check in with me every so often.

Horatio sprinting

This little guy is perfect for someone who wants big-dog energy in a little-dog body. Horatio is small enough to pick up (but not too small), but is more than happy to romp and play with you. You’ll be sure to stop and say hello to him because he’s too adorable to walk past!

Horatio's adorable face

Max is a new arrival to Orphans of the Storm®, and he has a sad story with a hopefully happy ending. This eight-year-old German Shepherd mix was adopted four years ago, but his family grew too big to have enough time or space for him anymore. This sweetheart deserves another chance with a new family who knows they will be able to take care of him for the rest of his life!

Max investigating the hay

Max was jumping up and down inside his kennel when he saw me approach, but calmed down as soon as he was let out on a leash. He walked well without pulling too much, and it’s obvious that he’s well-trained and knows how to be a perfect pet.

My new buddy Max

Even though he’s eight years old, he doesn’t show any signs of old age—except for his calm demeanor. He’s one of the best fetch partners I’ve ever had: he not only brought the ball back to me, but dropped it right in between my feet and waited patiently for me to lean over, pick it up, and throw it again.

What a handsome boy Max is!

We also had some very nice downtime together. He sat on the bench next to me and it was like we were just relaxing on a couch, watching TV. His face was just a few inches from mine as I pet him, and we enjoyed each other’s company. He’s already trained, already past his rowdy puppy stage, and all ready to find his new forever home! Please don’t walk past this absolute sweetie just because of his age; he’ll make you fall in love with him in a matter of minutes if you give him the chance.

Max ready for his close-up

Tyson is a silly one-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix who absolutely adores running after tennis balls or any other toy that happens to be around. The first thing he did when we got inside the run was pick up a tennis ball. Seeing this interest, I thought Tyson might like to play fetch. He was thrilled to chase after the ball, and even threw it around himself a little bit, but rather than returning the ball to me, he started to make a pile of toys in front of the bushes.

Tyson ready to chase a ball

I started picking up the toys from his collection and throwing those across the run for him. Realizing what I was doing, he chased after the ball and then started to make his pile behind the bushes. He eventually got every single toy in the run to that back corner, and then looked at me as if to say, “What are we going to play now?” I told him that he had to bring a ball back to me for us to keep playing, which he eventually did.

Who can resist Tyson's attentive face?

He is a goofball with an incredibly expressive face. He watched me wherever I went, even if we were on opposite sides of the bushes. I could see his face low to the ground, peering out from under the branches, seeing if I was going to steal a ball from his proud horde. He used the branches as a back-scratcher a few times also, which was funny to watch. This cutie would love to find a forever playmate!

It's hard to get a picture of Tyson without his favorite tennis ball

Red is a new staff favorite, and for good reasons. This three-year-old Dachshund mix is such a little sweetheart! When I went to her kennel to open the slot to the outside half, she was too delighted that someone was standing in front of her to go out the door. It took some pointing and encouraging to get her outside to where I could put her leash on. When I met her outside and opened the kennel gate to let her out, she jumped right into my lap, which made it easy to get the leash over her head.

Look at Red go!

Red is the kind of dog who loves to get her exercise, and then come snuggle in your lap. She first sprinted around the run a little bit while I sat down on the bench, and then hurtled herself onto the bench next to me and put her front paws in my lap for a quick pat. Then she was off again, this time at a slower pace so she could put her hound nose to good use.

Red with her nose leading the way

I stood up and walked towards the middle of the run, kneeling down to Red’s level. She came hurrying over to me and again put her front paws in my lap. While I scratched her back, neck, and ears, she gave me doggy kisses on my chin and nose. She then rolled over onto her back for a belly rub, looking absolutely content.

Red being cute

This affectionate, adorable little girl will make a family extremely happy. Come to Orphans of the Storm® and say hello!

Buddy the two-year-old Boxer mix was incredibly excited when I came up to him with the leash. This guy has been catching my eye every time I’ve visited Orphans of the Storm® because he just looks so friendly and happy. You can’t help but smile when you see him.

Buddy, someone's future buddy!

Buddy and I went to one of the runs, and the other run was occupied by Bubba. Buddy and Bubba met each other at the fence and did a little sniffing, and then Buddy meandered around the run. After Bubba left, a group of three dogs and two humans came to the run. One of the humans said that she was very interested in Buddy because he’s so cute.

Buddy saying hello to another dog

His light brown eyes match his fur almost perfectly, giving him a unique (and adorable) look. He can be pretty strong, and likes to go in his own direction, but he is capable of being a good listener.

Buddy in the rain

Rocky the three-year-old Labrador Retriever/Pit Bull Terrier mix is a complete lovebug. When I first took him out of his kennel, he jumped straight up and our noses met. After that one brief moment of excitement, though, he was as cool as a cucumber. He didn’t pull on the leash on the way to the run, and didn’t jump up again.

Rocky saying hello!

Rocky definitely inherited the Lab personality traits. He kept trotting over to stand next to me so I could pet him. He particularly likes being scratched on the side of his neck. At one point, he jumped onto the bench and took a seat. It was almost too cute to handle.

Rocky on the bench

I went over to pet him and he kept looking up at me with those warm brown eyes as if to say, “Look at what a good dog I am!” I, of course, told him repeatedly that he is indeed an excellent dog. Such a sweetie!

Rocky right before he sat down

Akiva is a beautiful seven-year-old Husky mix. She hasn’t been at the shelter for very long, and I expect that she will be adopted very soon with her looks and personality.

I almost didn't want to take Akiva out in the rain and get her beautiful fur all muddy...

Like many Huskies, Akiva has stunning bluish-gray eyes. Her thick, fluffy fur is varying shades of white, gray, and black, and shimmers as she moves. Her perked ears are mostly white, but have black tips.

Akiva turned her head just before I could get a picture of her eyes

She walked extremely well on the leash, so after spending some time hanging out inside the run, I decided to talk her on a walk around the property. She seemed to enjoy this more, and we had a good time on our stroll in the drizzle.

Akiva investigating some leftover snacks from the shelter's holiday event (see below)

Please note: Orphans of the Storm® has extended hours all through December to share the holiday spirit! This month, the shelter will be open from 11am-8pm Thursdays-Sundays. If you want to get to know your new best friend with festive music in the background, you can stop by Thursdays-Saturdays from 6pm-7pm and Sundays from 2pm-3pm for the live music hour. Human food and drink available!

Diamond is a five-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix (not to be confused with the other Diamond, a two-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix—apparently Diamond is a popular name). This poor girl has had some bad luck: her original family’s home had a fire, and they had to give Diamond away when they moved. This means she has many years of experience as a family pet, though, and loves people.

Diamond exploring

Diamond likes to use her front paws to move around the very top layer of dirt, probably to unearth some new, exciting smells. She crawled under the bench inside the run and did a little scratching and sniffing in the hole that’s already there. Her cute face stuck out from under the bench and she looked at me for a moment, then turned in a half-circle and had her wagging tail sticking out from underneath instead while she continued to sniff.

See why she's called Diamond?

When I sat down on the bench, she hopped right up and stood next to me while I gave her shoulders and neck a nice rub. She almost sounded like she was purring! She enjoyed the attention and didn’t jump down from the bench until I stopped petting her.

Diamond's adorable face

Chewy the eight-year-old black Labrador Retriever mix is my new absolute favorite. (I don’t know if I should really have a favorite, but I can’t help myself.) When I asked if I could take him out, one of the staff members said, “Only if you think you can handle him.” This turned out to be a joke, because Chewy is one of the gentlest dogs I have ever met. He is a very big boy, but he did not pull on the leash once while we took our walk. All I had to say was, “Here, Chewy,” and he would go in whatever direction I wanted.

My favorite Chewy

In standard Lab form, Chewy stayed close to me, even when he was off-leash inside the run. He walked over to me when I sat down on the bench and put his head in my lap so I could pet him. He seemed to prefer walking, though, so after just a few minutes inside the run I put the leash back on and we took a stroll.

Chewy the gentle giant

Since Chewy is an older dog, he didn’t need to go on too long of a walk. We did one lap around the property and I was ready to go for a second lap, but he sat down on the sidewalk and I got the hint. He knew exactly which kennel was his when I took him back and went inside with ease. He gave my hand a final sniff and wagged his tail. This sweet and gentle giant deserves the most loving home to live out his golden years.

Chewy being a loyal Lab

When you visit Orphans of the Storm®, you’ll find two cuties sharing a kennel: Duvall the Jack Russell Terrier mix and Izzy the Dachshund mix. They are both older dogs (Duvall is seven and Izzy is nine) and they are both completely precious.

Izzy and Duvall at attention

The two of them can be a little shy around strangers so one of the staff members accompanied the three of us out to the run, but Duvall came up to me and sniffed my shoes as a hello when he first got out of his kennel.

Duvall's perky face

Duvall is one of the staff favorites, and it’s easy to see why. Even though he’s a bit older, he still has lots of energy (as Jack Russell Terriers are known to have) and he is a very smart boy. He is apparently also mixed with Australian Cattle Dog, which you can tell from the markings on his fur, and sometimes likes to be more in control. (It’s what herding dogs were bred to do.)

Izzy being a hound

Izzy is a close second when it comes to my favorites (again, I couldn’t help myself). He can take a while to warm up to people, but when I knelt down to his level he came trotting over and let me pet his back for a while. His ears look almost too big for his little face, but that makes him even cuter. Izzy has been at the shelter for a few years now, which is incredibly bewildering to me. Give him a chance to get to know you, and you’ll both fall in love.

Izzy, his little legs, and his waggy tail

Corky is a lovable four-year-old Hound/Shepherd mix. He was very interested in covering my whole face in doggy kisses, and put his front paws on my lap while I was sitting on the bench in order to reach.

Corky sniffing

To give him some exercise, I tossed the tennis ball across the run. Corky went running after it and dropped the ball a few feet away from me—so he has a general idea of what fetch is. We did this a few times, and then Corky became more interested in sniffing around the bushes.

Corky looking at me

Corky is also a fan of doggy hugs. He ran up to me, put his front paws up on my stomach, and stood on his two back feet quite happily while I scratched his neck and ears. We did this several times during our time together.

Corky coming to say hi

Piper, a five-year-old Shepherd mix, reminded me more of a polar bear than anything else—an adorable polar bear. Piper is a very calm dog, and even though he’s a bigger guy, he doesn’t pull on the leash with too much strength (except for when I was trying to get him back inside his kennel, but that’s understandable).

Piper enjoying the grass

Piper enjoyed investigating underneath the bushes, and could spend many moments sniffing the same blade of grass. He was so focused, I didn’t want to interrupt him. I couldn’t resist scratching his ears, though. They were too cute to stay away from.

Piper avoiding the camera

Unfortunately, he’s a little bit camera shy, so I couldn’t get a good picture of his precious face. You’ll just have to visit the shelter and see him for yourself!

Piper still sniffing

Peggy has been on my list for a while, because when you walk by her kennel and stop to say hello, she enthusiastically licks your hand. This three-year-old Hound/Pit Bull Terrier mix has been at Orphans of the Storm® since she was four months old, and would love the chance to make a family very happy.

Peggy running around the run

Since Peggy has been at the shelter since puppyhood, she will need some training. She learns fast, though. While we were inside the run, she was getting excited and started jumping up on me. Thanks to Animal Planet’s “It’s Me or the Dog”, I tried the technique of simply turning my back to her. After just two more jumps, she stopped and kept her four paws on the ground. I praised her excessively for her smarts and good behavior.

Peggy's eager face

Peggy, like Corky, has a general idea of what it means to “play fetch.” I would throw the ball, Peggy would chase after it, and then she would do a lap around the run with the ball still in her mouth. Then she brought it back to me. There’s nothing wrong with getting extra exercise, though.

Give these three pooches a chance and see how happy they can make you, and how happy you can make them!

Rocco following his nose

Being a hound, Rocco has that unique baying bark. Not too loud, and a little raspy – not at all jarring like some other barks can be. He used this bark to let me know when other dogs and volunteers were approaching the run, but funnily enough didn’t seem too interested in the birds that were hopping around by the water dish.

Rocco saying hello

While I was sitting on the bench inside the run, Rocco came up to me and put his nose right in my face. With those eyes, it seemed like he was really looking at me. I reached up to pet his droopy, velvety ears, and we had a very nice time together.

Rocco romping

Since he’s a big dog who needs exercise, I tried to engage him in a game of fetch. He was very interested in the tennis ball, but didn’t necessarily understand the concept that he had to bring it back to me so I could throw it again. That turned out to not be a problem, though, because Rocco is very skilled at playing fetch with himself. He would take the ball in his mouth, throw his head back, and chase the ball after it went flying. Watching this made me laugh.

Forest's attentive face

Forest is one of the prettiest dogs at the shelter, along with the other husky mixes. This nine-year-old has many years of experience as a family pet, and also seems to have a lot of experience going for car rides. At every car we passed in the parking lot, he would stop by one of the doors. I sadly had to inform him that we weren’t going to be riding in any Mustangs today.

Forest in the run

Forest isn’t only nice to look at; he’s also very nice to pet. His coat is one of the fluffiest I’ve ever felt, which I’m sure comes in handy when the weather gets colder. Forest loves getting his hips and back legs scratched. He does a little dance until he gets your hand in the perfect position, and then leans into you so you know you’re doing a good job.

Beautiful Forest

While inside the run, Forest found a small treat that had been dropped earlier. Rather than inhaling it, like most dogs I know would, he sniffed it, put it in his mouth, spit it back out, and sniffed it again. He did this a few times. When I went closer to investigate, it almost seemed like he was very carefully biting off the outer part of the treat and leaving the center. Or it could have been a coincidence. Either way, he’s a careful eater.

Stitch is a six-year-old Shepherd mix who has lots of energy, but is happy to settle down and enjoy some cuddle time. Since Stitch can be a bit of an acrobat (high fences are a good idea for this guy), we took a walk around the property instead of spending time in the run.

Stitch on our walk

Stitch enjoying the outdoors

I let him lead the way along the sidewalks and through the grass. After we covered most of the property, we had some down time. I knelt down to his level and pet his back, letting him know that he is indeed a good dog. He enjoyed the attention and barely moved a muscle while I was petting him.

Stitch in the setting sun

He has warm brown eyes and cute, half-perked ears that sometimes cause his forehead to wrinkle. Stitch will do great in a home with people who like to run and play—he just wants to have a good time and be loved.

Mink and Puggie on our walk

Mink and Puggie work well enough together that I could take them both out simultaneously. Mink is incredibly precious and very friendly; when he was let out of his cage, he came right up to me and put his front paws on my leg so I could reach down and scratch his ears. He is a one-year-old Chihuahua mix. Puggie, despite his name, is also a Chihuahua mix, but seven years old. He takes a little longer to warm up to new people, but wagged his tail when he saw a regular worker approach.

Mink the cutie

Puggie at attention

They both did well on a leash, although they could be a little stubborn about which direction to walk in (which was especially challenging when they wanted to walk in opposite directions). To get them going in the same direction, I would start to run and they would follow enthusiastically.

On our way back inside

Missy, a four-year-old Chihuahua mix, is extremely shy but sweet. I was instructed to pick her up and carry her out to the grassy area because she wasn’t too excited to walk past the other dogs who were in the outside portion of their kennels. She had no problems with being picked up by a stranger, and even put her nose towards mine as I carried her.

Missy exploring

Silly Missy

Once in the grass and out of sight of the other dogs, Missy scampered around and sniffed the ground, although she did mainly keep her tail between her legs. A patient, understanding, and loving owner would do wonders for her and help her come out of her shell. She’s a sweetie!

Scratch was quite a difference, after spending time with the Chihuahuas. Scratch is a five-year-old Labrador Retriever mix, and true to his Lab-y nature, he was stuck to my side from the beginning. What a loyal walking companion! I didn’t have to say a word and he was walking right next to me, his side touching my leg.

Scratch bounding towards me

When we arrived at the run, Scratch ran around and sniffed for just a minute or two before running back to me. I knelt down and scratched his head, ears, and back. When I stopped, he looked at me and whined, like, “What did you stop for? I was enjoying that!” So, of course, I kept petting him.

Scratch smiling for the camera

He is a beautiful dog, with a white splotch on his chest and some white toes. With so much love and loyalty to give, he would be a wonderful addition to any home.

I ended my visit with Felicia, a ten-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix. She is incredibly affectionate with people and such a pretty dog, with her unique brindle coat. I was amazed by how soft her fur is.

Felicia on her walk

Felicia sniffing

Whenever Felicia got the chance, she would lick my face happily. At one point on our walk around the property, I sat down on a bench. She put her front paws in my lap and gave my chin multiple kisses. She has nine years of experience as a loving pet, and is looking forward to finding a new family to spend her golden years with.

A look at Felicia's pretty face

Do any of these dogs sound like a good fit for you and your family? Visit Orphans of the Storm® to get to know them even better!

Goldie sniffing around the run

Goldie is a beautiful six-year-old Shepherd mix. She looks a little bit like a fox (in my opinion) and is just as clever. Like Billy, she knows that treats come from pockets and would get very excited any time I reached for mine. Also, while sniffing around the bench inside the run, Goldie crawled underneath and found herself a bit of doggy treat that had been abandoned by another dog. Very appropriate for Halloween.

She has big, perked ears that fold back against her head when she’s getting a good pat. Goldie’s another dog who gets a little tickly when scratched by her hips. She liked walking under my legs while I sat on the bench, and when I knelt down to her level she was happy to stick her nose in my face to say hello. Although Goldie is part Shepherd, she’s a very manageable size. As another person looking for a dog at the shelter said (which you might be able to hear in the video), Goldie is a pretty girl.

Goldie with her big ears perked

Dina exploring the run

A volunteer I met at the shelter last week requested that I write about Dina, a seven-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier mix. She’s a big, sweet girl who liked to do lots of sniffing around the run. Dina loves a good back scratch, and will lean with all of her weight against you so she can get as good a scratch as possible. Dina was the first dog to jump up next to me as I sat on the bench, so there’s a good chance that she has the capability of being a bit of a couch potato.

Dina is extremely obedient. At one point, she decided that the leash was a toy and wanted to play tug-of-war. I knew I would lose, so I just let go and waited for her to drop it. When she did, I picked it back up and said, “Dina, no,” so she would know that the leash is not the same as a toy. She sat right down and stopped trying to get it back from me. I, of course, gave her lots of pats to let her know she’s a good girl.

Dina running towards me

Pretty Cody

Cody was last for the day, but certainly not least. I kind of fell in love with him. Cody is an eight-year-old Shar Pei/Labrador Retriever mix who has been at Orphans of the Storm® since last November. He, like Dina, jumped up on the bench next to me and loved getting his neck scratched. And look at his face! The wrinkles on his forehead seem to be one of the few visible signs of his Shar Pei roots, and they make him that much cuter.

Cody is an absolute lovebug. The muddy paw prints on my jacket are proof of his happy hugs. Whenever I opened my arms wide, he would come running back to me and give me a few doggy kisses. When I asked him to sit, he did so immediately. Such a good boy!

Cody joining me on the bench

These three sweethearts all deserve another look. Stop by Orphans of the Storm® and say hello!

Cody's cute face

First on my list was Billy, a six-year-old Pointer mix. Don’t let that gray fur on his face fool you! He absolutely loves to run and play. Billy and I sprinted to the grassy run and I took him off his leash so he could explore all he wanted. After rustling around inside the bushes at the far end of the run, Billy emerged with a tennis ball in his mouth. He is a big fan of playing fetch, and isn’t at all possessive of the tennis ball. He’s even spry enough to jump up and catch the tennis ball in midair!

Billy ready and waiting to play fetch

Billy enjoying the beautiful autumn day

Billy is also an extremely intelligent dog. In all of his doggy years, he has learned that treats tend to appear from inside pockets. Every time I reached for my pocket to either get my camera or put it away, he expectantly sat down right in front of me and nosed my pocket. I wished I had a treat to give him, because he was so good at it.

Billy exploring the run

A look at Wizard's face

Next was Wizard, a three-year-old Shepherd/Shar Pei mix. He is a little chubby, but enjoys going on walks and does well on a leash. Don’t expect to walk too briskly, though, because Wizard likes to sniff everything. It was hard to get a picture of his precious face because he almost always had his nose to the ground.

Wizard's round tummy and curly tail

Wizard also seems to be a little on the ticklish side, which I personally think is an endearing trait. After scratching his velvety ears, I started to scratch his back. As I moved towards his tail, one of his back legs started kicking. It was adorable.

Wizard's nose to the ground

Molly stretching her legs in a lap around the run

The last dog for me today was Molly, a three-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix. Molly was the best leash-walker of the three and was happy to walk just slightly ahead of me without pulling as we made our way to the run. Her light brown eyes match her tan markings and give her a very unique look – a look that anyone can love.

Molly liked to nibble grass

Molly is a giant sweetheart. She enjoyed sitting next to me as I gave her a good pat, and she would occasionally give me some slobbery doggy kisses. She even attempted to climb up onto my lap so she could reach my face better. If you want to make her extra happy (which everyone should, because she deserves it), you should scratch the right side of her neck. She’ll lean into your hand and pant cheerfully.

Molly sniffing in the bushes

On your next visit to Orphans of the Storm®, make sure to stop by and say hello to these three adoptable pooches!

He is a strong boy! Not surprising, considering Rottweilers are one of the sturdier breeds, but it’s good to know beforehand so you aren’t taken by surprise. It’s also important to keep in mind that every dog you take out will be extra excited at first. Lex led us to our run, and I followed him around as he sniffed at the grass, bench, fence, and bushes. After releasing some energy, he walked extremely well on a leash and responded to my calls of, “This way, Lex!”

Lex

His face is extremely attentive (and also extremely cute), and his ears perk up when he hears a potentially interesting sound, which causes his forehead to wrinkle in an adorable way. When I started to give his back legs a good scratch, he leaned in towards me so I could continue. He sat (briefly) when I asked him to, but I can’t blame him for getting up so quickly since there were so many new smells for him to explore.

Lex has been at the shelter since 2006, far too long for such a good dog. Stop by the shelter and get to know him yourself!

Next on my list was Emerald, another dog who has been at Orphans of the Storm® since 2006. Emerald arrived with a litter of puppies, all of whom were adopted very quickly, but poor Emerald was left behind. She is an enthusiastic eight-year-old Labrador/Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix who loves to run and jump like a puppy. Like Lex, she led us straight to the run and was thrilled to be out.

Emerald

I let her roam around the run for a few minutes before calling her over. When I did, she came barreling towards me with a big doggy grin and gently jumped up to give me a hug. She allowed me to place her back on the ground very easily, and I squatted down to her level. That still wasn’t close enough for her, because she attempted to climb into my lap before realizing she was too big. She then decided to place her front paws on my arms so we were eye-to-eye. I learned that this is how she prefers to receive her belly rubs: standing up on her back legs while resting her front paws on you, so you can then reach down and rub her belly.

Emerald would explore the run for a few minutes, run back to me with a wagging tail for another belly rub, and repeat. She also enjoys being scratched under her chin (which does, at times, have some doggy drool on it). Although she doesn’t come across as dog who likes to give kisses, she does love to be face-to-face. In Emerald’s opinion, the closer the better.

Emerald deserves a loving home, just like all of her puppies. Will it be with you?

Most kids want a puppy. A lot of adults want puppies, too. Who can blame them? Puppies are small, cute, and cuddly. I am a puppy enthusiast myself. If you haven’t watched “Too Cute! Puppies” on Animal Planet yet, be prepared to spend an hour saying, “Aww!” every few seconds.

Every dog deserves a good home, though. This includes older dogs and dogs that have spent more than their fair share of time at a shelter. Adopting an older dog is a win-win situation for everyone involved: you get a wonderful pet without the pressures of a (approximately) 15-year commitment, and the dog gets a wonderful home to enjoy his or her golden years.

Shamrock is one of Orphans of the Storm®’s long-timers. This beautiful brindle-and-white American Staffordshire Terrier has been at the shelter since 2006 – and she’s only six years old. Shamrock was one of the first dogs to greet me when I walked into her wing; most of the other dogs were preoccupied with what some of the employees were doing outside. Shamrock came up to the front of her kennel as I approached and sniffed my hand when I held it up to her. She didn’t bark to grab my attention, like some other dogs attempted to do. I said hello to the rest of the dogs in her wing and then returned to the front of her cage. She had gone outside, so I knelt down and called, “Shamrock!” so I could see her again. She trotted over to me and it was decided that I would take her to one of the fenced-in runs so we could spend some more time together.

Shamrock

Someone helped me get a collar and leash for her, and I was shown the proper way to enter her kennel so she couldn’t accidentally run out. She was very excited by the presence of the leash, barely taking her eyes off it, and didn’t mind at all when I had to reach over and around her head to put the collar on.

Orphans of the Storm® emphasizes that visitors should give the dogs a few minutes to calm down after they are first put on a leash and taken out. This absolutely makes sense. Wouldn’t you be excited and running every which way if you were suddenly released from a kennel? Shamrock pulled me in the direction of the runs, sniffing at tufts of grass and bushes as we went. I closed the gate behind us and followed her around the run, where the leash-pulling stopped. She was already calming down. After exploring together for a few moments, I let her off the leash so she could roam where she wanted and we could get better acquainted.

Some dogs have certain places where they do and don’t like to be pet. Shamrock doesn’t seem to have a preference, and enjoys whatever contact you have with her equally. I, on the other hand, preferred scratching the top of her head, right between her half-perked ears, because her fur is so velvety soft there.

Shamrock also has no issues initiating contact herself. While I was sitting on one of the benches, she kept going back and forth under my legs as she sniffed what was around us.

When it was time to return to her kennel, Shamrock again had no problems with me putting the collar over her head. She didn’t pull on the leash nearly as much, but walked just a little ways ahead of me. She knew where to go.

After Shamrock and I parted ways, I went to another wing of kennels to say hello to Ebbie, one of the older dogs at the shelter. It was too late in the afternoon for me to take her out to the run, but I had heard good things about her and was eager to see her.

It’s impossible to not immediately fall in love with Ebbie. It’s obvious that this ten-year-old Shepherd mix is a sweetheart. Since she’s getting up there in years and her joints are a little more sensitive than the other dogs’, she has a doggie bed in her kennel, which she was curled up on when I stopped by. We looked into each other’s big brown eyes for a few moments before she decided I was worthy enough to get up for. She sniffed my hand and then pushed her side up against the cage so I could pet her easily. Then she made a half-circle so I could pet her other side.

Ebbie

Some of the other dogs in her wing started barking, and I looked around to see what they were barking at. It turned out they were all looking straight at me. Note to future visitors: Say hello to all the pooches when you first come in, or they get a little jealous.

The first dog I met was Tulip, a six-year-old Beagle/Shepherd mix. The volunteer at the other end of the leash told me that Tulip is a sweet, calm dog who loves to go for walks. Tulip is currently on a diet because she’s a little rotund, so a healthy home with some good walkers would be a nice fit. If you don’t want a dog that will jump all over you and lick your face at every available chance, Tulip is the right dog for you. All she wants is good companionship; she’ll be happy to lie down at your feet as you read a book or watch TV.

Next was Eddie, the Mountain Cur who will be turning one year old in just a few weeks. Eddie is currently in a foster home because he arrived at the shelter in May with a broken foot and needed some extra TLC. He’s all healed now, thankfully! This guy is still in his puppy phase and enjoys nibbling on his leash, but the breed is known to be easily trainable. He already knows a few commands and was pleased to show off how to “sit” for those saying hello to him.

Howser is an eight-year-old Pointer mix who was very popular with visitors to the tent because of his calm demeanor. When I knelt down to say hello, he put his nose right up to mine and was happy to have his head scratched. He and Eddie were both proudly sporting donation vests, where people could put money to help the shelter, and Howser’s vest was pretty full when I saw him. He is a very good walker on a leash and is looking for a caring home with people who will love him and his sweet personality.

The smallest, most rambunctious dog at the event was Pickles, a three-year-old Yorkie mix. Pickles wanted to say hello to anyone and everyone, including his doggy friends from the shelter, and is certainly not shy. When I got down to his level, he jumped right into my lap in an attempt to lick my face. His fur is extra soft and he has an adorable little face. Pickles is relatively new to Orphans of the Storm® and hopes to find a permanent cuddle buddy soon.

To meet these dogs, and the rest of the great dogs available for adoption, please visit Orphans of the Storm® any day of the week!

Cocker spaniel

Ara: 10 years old, old but fearless, scared of thunder, loves attention from her human pets, she has this wicked grin

Ruffa: 8 years old, sweetest dog, doll-like eyes, old and irritable, loves to bark at nothing, scared of firecrackers and thunder

Tori: 8 years old, the silent one, likes putting her head on my lap, pudgy, she has this silly facial expression when provoked

Astig: 8 years old, aggressive towards pups, the only one who didn’t get pregnant, small but daring, shy but sweet at the same time to her human pets

Bibo: 6 years old, born blind, funny dog, sweet, always sneezes, hates bath, humongous

Aicah: 4 years old, the prima donna of all, most talkative, slim and pretty, loves to stretch, easily annoyed haha

Chiquita: 2 years old, stocky, loves jumping at me, cutest one, playful, freckles on her nose, hates being lifted

Facebook, the widely used social networking application, prohibits the creation and use of non-human profiles. We have found many animal friends on Facebook. Sadly, we are realizing that every month or so, literally dozens of our friends’ profiles are removed because they are not profiles of humans. A number of individuals have initiated petitions to attempt to affect a change in Facebook’s restrictive policy. However, so far, there has not been a shift in the policy.

There are many social network sites that foster the creation of animal communities (we have featured a number of them in posts on Lifestyles of the Urban Dog). Facebook has created the Dogbook application so humans’ dogs can be connected. Pet profile purists, however, will quickly point out that while we humans are the proxy communicators for our pets in virtual spaces, the creation of untethered pet profiles is really about the dogs themselves. Despite the success of Dogbook, there seems to be a fundamental lack of understanding about dog lovers, dog community members, and dog lifestyles that is informing Facebook’s misguided corporate policy related to banning stand alone pet profiles.

Many dog owners connect socially with each other through the routines of walking and exercising their dogs. In our densely populated urban setting, the nature of these social interactions are cordial, even personal, but not invasive. We, know the names of all the regular dogs we encounter at the playground and some of the first names of the dog owners. But for the most part, we know the dog owners only in that geographic and social context. Our participation at the playground is similar to how others might congregate at a bar or at the gym after work. It is a place where we can relax and just be with the dogs. Dogs promote being in the moment because they are so light hearted and fun loving in nature. We suggest that this is the spirit in which many Facebook users have created pet profiles and organized around them. The online pet profiles provide a way to for people to meet without dragging along the rest of the members of their social network – some of whom may not appreciate the central place pets can have in our lives.

We are bewildered as to why Facebook would do anything to generate disharmony among its loyal users. Frustrated by Facebook’s policy of removing non-human profiles, many of the pet profiles that are removed are reinstated later, only to be removed again and again. Some pet profilers give up and switch to Dogbook; others acquiesce and use their human names and identities to find people with common pet interests. Given that pet owners in the U.S. alone spend 40 billion dollars caring for their fur family members (49% of pet owners consider their pets to be family members), perhaps there are better uses of Facebook corporate resources than purging pet profiles. We anticipate that the policy will ultimately be reconsidered. Eventually Facebook’s pet advertisers will realize that a large portion of the audience they are trying to reach has been systematically pushed off the site and reconstituted on the dozens of new online platforms that are popping up all over the rest of the web.

MM & RY 2008