👋 Happy Thursday! It's time for your weekly Cause for Paws update. 😄

Last week, we asked about your most memorable moment during the dog adoption journey, and the most voted choice was:

Watching your rescue dog settle in and start to trust you. 

This week, we want your help so we can find you more great training tips.

Cast your vote, and we’ll use the result to inform next week’s newsletter!

In today’s Cause for Paws:

• 🎤 Husky Hero: Rockstar adopts a lifesaving shelter pup

• 🧠 New way to teach your dog the “drop” command

• 🇺🇲 50 State Rescue Challenge: Texas Edition

• 🐾 Paw Profiles – 3 rescues ready for a new home

🎤 Rockstar's heart melts for shelter dog named after him 🐕

Bret Michaels, iconic lead singer of the glam metal band Poison, recently adopted a 6-year-old husky from the Nebraska Humane Society.

Coincidentally, the fluffy pup had been named "Bret Michaels" by the shelter staff as part of their tradition of naming rescues after rock stars.

This playful naming by the shelter sparked a life-changing turn of events for the scraggly, mistreated mutt.

When Bret the dog first arrived at the shelter, the vets running blood tests on him made an incredible discovery: Bret was poised to save the life of another helpless creature.

A tiny, one-month-old kitten had been surrendered to the shelter covered in fleas and severely anemic.

The kitten was so ill that the veterinarians determined he urgently needed a blood transfusion to survive.

But with no feline blood available, the vets wondered if canine blood could work. Miraculously, Bret’s blood tested as a match.

Despite his own hardships and hunger, Bret selflessly donated blood to the ailing kitten.

As the tiny kitten regained strength and health thanks to Bret, the shelter staff fittingly named him "Thorn" after the Poison power ballad “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.”

Once word spread online about the heroic actions of Bret the husky, his incredible story swiftly reached the human Bret Michaels.

Still grieving the recent loss of his beloved German shepherd Phoenix, Michaels felt adopting Bret was fate.

In a statement to USA Today, Michaels shared:

“When I heard about Bret Michaels the husky and how he saved the life of Thorn the kitten, I immediately reached out to the Nebraska Humane Society and personally called them to adopt the dog."

Michaels told People Magazine, “This story brought a smile back into my family’s life.”

Rescuing and caring for animals had long brought purpose to Michaels amid his own significant health challenges, including diabetes.

After an eager call from the rock legend himself, the adoption was quickly finalized.

Heartwarming photos showed the overjoyed pup posing with signs proudly bearing his famous new owner’s name.

Despite his rough start in life, this scraggly husky will now enjoy cozy beds, wholesome meals, and unconditional love in his new forever home.

In honor of their inspiring bond, consider opening your heart and home by adopting a needy shelter pet yourself!

With enough patience, care and compassion, a rescue animal may just be the missing piece your family needs.

🧠 Top Training Tip of the Week — The “Drop” Command

Ever struggled with getting your dog to willingly drop:

• Items of personal clothing?

• Something they found on a walk?

• Human food they’re not allowed to eat?

If so… this week's training tip is a game-changer!

While traditional swap-based training can work well, there's an innovative method you might not know about.

Renowned trainer Chirag Patel shares his secrets on teaching your dog to drop items from their mouth with a powerful technique…

That works so well, you’ll eventually be able to get your dog to drop food in their mouth! 🍖

To see how it's done — click here to watch Chirag's “drop” tutorial. 🐕‍🦺

🇺🇲 The 50 State Rescue Challenge: Texas 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 Lone Star State — Texas! 🤠

Our focus falls on the Austin Pets Alive! shelter, a pioneer in the no-kill movement.

Their unique strategy? Rescue animals directly from the euthanasia lists of other shelters, giving them a new lease on life.

Austin Pets Alive! began when vulnerable, homeless pets truly needed them the most.

When they were founded in 1997, Austin had a kill-rate of 87% for dogs on euthanasia lists.

But today, after decades of incredible work, Austin now has a SAVE-rate of 97%…

Meaning almost ALL the dogs on euthanasia lists in Austin are saved!

Austin Pets Alive! completely flipped the tables, showing how modern shelters can revolutionize animal welfare.

They’ve since become the largest No Kill city in the United States, so if you live near Austin…

Pay them a visit to see their life-saving mission in action!

Learn more about Austin Pets Alive and their impactful work here!

P.S. Not in Texas? Don’t worry about it!

Check out this resource to adopt pets in every other U.S. state!

🐾 Paw Profiles: 3 Texas rescues ready for a new home

Austin Pets Alive! does incredible work for the community and its pets.

Here are three of their current rescues up for adoption!

Buster Bluth

Buster Bluth is a 5-year-old Rottweiler mix with a spirit that matches his smile. This social butterfly loves to play and might just be the perfect addition to a home with another doggy companion.

He's an excellent trail dog, house-trained, and would be thrilled to join an active family for all sorts of outdoor adventures. 🐾🌲

Puffy

Puffy, an 8-year-old American Bulldog mix, is a regal boy with stunning white eyelashes and a passion for relaxation.

He enjoys brief playful moments with his favorite jolly ball before returning to his beloved naps. Puffy is well-trained, potty-trained, and motivated by making his people happy.

Due to a neurological condition, he prefers a calm, quiet environment, but don't let that fool you—he's ready to live his best life with a loving family. 🐾🏡

Zephyr

Zephyr is a 7-year-old Catahoula mix who's as brainy as he is athletic. This loyal pal is perfect for active families—he's great on a leash, loves a good hike, and cuddles like a champ.

He thrives on routine and clear expectations, making him a dream to train. Zephyr seeks a cat-free home with a yard and would love a doggy sibling to play with. 🐾🌳

Are you ready to welcome one of these adorable companions into your life?

Click here to find your new furry family member at Austin Pets Alive!

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

👋 Bye for now, Cause for Paws crew! Keep making a difference in your pup’s life!