👋 Happy Thursday! Welcome back to Cause for Paws. We’ve got some great stories lined up for you today!

Last week, we asked you which age group you would be most likely to adopt.

It was a close call, but one result came out slightly on top — Young (1-3 years)! 🎉

Second place was a perfect tie between Adult (4-7 years) and Senior (8+ years).

We appreciate your participation!

This week, we’d love to know:

In today’s Cause for Paws:

• 🏡 Rescue dog adopted by senior care facility he kept escaping to

• 🧠 How to teach your dog the “leg weave” trick

• 🇺🇲 50 State Rescue Challenge: Utah Edition

• 🐾 Paw Profiles – 3 loving rescue dogs ready for adoption

🧓 From shelter escape artist → to beloved senior companion

Some intuitive pups know precisely where they’re needed most. For clever canine Scout, that place was a local nursing home he was determined to make his new home.

The scrappy stray mutt had survived an unknown but traumatic past. “All they knew is he was abused,” said coordinator Jenni Martinek.

Bearing evidence of being shot and deeply fearful of men, Scout was brought to the Antrim County Animal Shelter as an unclaimed loner.

But the shelter walls could not contain his free spirit for long. After scaling two daunting fences, Scout made his first bold overnight escape.

He slipped into the Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility lobby, curled up on a couch and fell asleep - the first of several nights there.

Bewildered staff contacted animal control to retrieve their runaway guest. But Scout kept returning.

Nursing home administrator, Marna Robinson, stated “He did that one time, two times, three times, and obviously that’s something that you should pay attention to.”

“And I asked the staff: ‘Well, he wants to be here. Would anybody like to have a dog?’”

In a unanimous decision, the nursing staff decided to adopt him as their furry companion, and Scout officially became a permanent resident of the facility.

So Meadow Brook adopted Scout as their official pet!

For the elderly residents, Scout's presence reminded them of pets long gone. His affectionate nature brought joy and comfort.

Scout even learned to enter residents’ rooms for snuggles and treats. “He’ll always let you pet him and lets you talk to him if you need someone to talk to,” said resident Shirley Sawyer.

Despite lingering signs of past trauma, Scout embraced his caregiver role wholeheartedly.

“He’ll want to climb in bed with them,” shared coordinator Stephanie Elsey, when residents were ill or dying.

Scout kept diligent watch over vulnerable residents, responding quickly if anyone needed comfort.

“He must’ve just felt like he needed to be here,” mused Robertson, awed by Scout's devotion.

The nurses held fundraisers for the shelter that rescued Scout. He was named Resident of the Month for adopting the seniors.

Their compassion allowed Scout to overcome hardship and blossom into a loyal, comforting friend when one was needed most. This devoted dog gave new meaning to the seniors' days through the joy and love only a pet can provide.

Scout's story shows how welcoming an animal into your life can profoundly improve it. Despite his unknown past, he found purpose through the residents who took a chance on him.

To celebrate Scout, why not take a chance on adopting a dog for yourself! It could change your life for the better, too.

🧠 Top Training Tip of the Week

Ready to add some style to your dog’s trick collection?

Then you’re gonna love this week’s top training tip that’s as fun as it is impressive:

The classic “Leg Weave”! 🕺

The Leg Weave isn’t just a crowd-pleaser.

Tricks like this are a wonderful way to enhance your dog’s coordination, concentration, and physical fitness.

Mastering this trick will not only mentally stimulate your pup, but can also help you create a stronger bond together.

We’ve got an easy-to-follow, step-by-step tutorial from Nate Schoemer ready to go for you and your pup.

📹 Watch the Leg Weave tutorial here!

Remember, patience, and treats are your best friends during this process.

Happy weaving, and let us know how it goes!

🇺🇲 The 50 State Rescue Challenge: Utah Edition

At Cause for Paws, we’re on a mission:

Get a pet adopted in every state.

Every week, we cover a different state, and share resources on how you can help adopt in your own state.

This week, we’re heading to the Beehive State: Utah! 🏜️

Headquartered in Moab, Utah, we’re highlighting Underdog Animal Rescue & Rehab.

These guys run a non-profit focused on the countless stray dogs from the Native American reservations of the Four Corners area.

(The Four Corners is a region of the Southwestern United States, consisting of corners of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico.)

Underdog doesn’t just rescue; they rehabilitate and rehome, offering hope to animals from Navajo, Hopi, Ute, Apache, and Zuni nations.

Providing essential services like veterinary care, spay/neuter clinics, and vaccinations, they aim to ensure every animal finds a loving home.

And with 3,322+ dogs rescued since opening, we’d say they’re more than living up to their goals!

Underdog hosts regular adoption events in Moab, so if you live nearby, definitely consider stopping by and getting to know them!

You can learn more about Underdog’s amazing work here.

P.S. Don’t live in Utah? All good, we’ve got you covered.

Go here to see pets up for adoption in every U.S. state!

🐾 Paw Profiles: 3 sweet furry friends seeking forever homes!

Underdog Animal Rescue & Rehab has a whole lot of sweet dogs waiting to be adopted.

Here are three special pups we’re highlighting from them today.

Could you be a perfect match?

Bodhi

Sweet and shy Bodhi, a 2-year-old mix, dreams of a patient, loving adult-only home where he can learn to trust, play with his toys, and share his gentle love with you! 🐾💕

Kazoo

Meet adventurous Kazoo, a 4-month-old mixed breed, who is eager to explore and play, loves water, and dreams of a lively household full of play, and lots of snacks! 🐾💦

Val

Meet Val, a loving 1-year-old mixed breed who loves affection and attention, enjoys being around other dogs, and is eager to be your devoted companion you've been looking for—just keep in mind, she's not a fan of cats! 🐾🐕

Curious about adopting one of these cuties or others at Underdog Rescue?

Find every dog up for adoption at Underdog Animal Rescue & Rehab here!

For sponsorship and paid media inquiries, email: [email protected]

👋 That's it for this week, Cause for Paws crew! See you next time!