👋 Happy Wednesday! With tomorrow’s holiday, we’re sending you this edition of Cause for Paws a day early.

We hope you have a great Thanksgiving, and get to spend it with loved ones and your dogs!

Last week, we asked about your favorite activity to do with your rescue dog, and we had another tie, with the top choices being:

Going for walks or hikes and cuddling at home.

To understand you better, for this week’s poll, we’d love to know:

Make sure to vote and let us know your biggest hurdle in caring for your rescue dog!

In today’s Cause for Paws:

• 😈 How Eddie the troublemaker found his forever family

• 🧠 Train your dog with the “leave it” command

• 🇺🇲 50 State Rescue Challenge: Maryland Edition

• 🐾 Paw Profiles – 3 rescues up for adoption

🏡 Eddie finds his forever family after shelter’s hilarious plea

Eddie the dachshund mix was quite the troublemaker during his brief stint at the Humane Society of Wichita County in Texas.

But his antics soon won him the perfect forever home.

This spunky pooch captured local hearts when the shelter posted a humorous plea online to rehome the “jerk” of a dog fast.

At just one year old, Eddie was full of puppy mischief and chaos despite his 17-pound frame, refusing to back down, even from much larger dogs.

The exasperated staff described him as “an (expletive)” with loads of attitude in the cheeky Facebook post.

Eddie apparently spent most of his time growling and picking fights with scared shelter dogs.

The staff joked his raspy voice resembled a New Yorker from the Bronx spoiling for a brawl.

“If you think you are man enough to adopt him, please be our guest,” they wrote, jokingly.

Yet hiding beneath Eddie’s prickly exterior was a sensitive soul longing for attention and a family.

That family turned out to be teenager Taryn Brooks and her mother Linda. This pair loved Eddie’s fierce loyalty and lively antics when they spotted the shelter’s viral post.

Despite the naughty description, Taryn simply “had to have him” as her perfect Christmas gift. She quickly persuaded her mom to forfeit other gift plans to adopt Eddie instead.

And upon meeting rambunctious Eddie face-to-face, any lingering doubts disappeared instantly.

“He was just already attached to us,” shared Taryn, describing how Eddie snuggled affectionately in her arms, recognizing them as kindred spirits.

Of course, Eddie still has a knack for mischief in his new home, escaping from his new backyard twice already!

He may not be the easiest dog at times, but Taryn and Lynda love Eddie regardless.

Through creative storytelling, the shelter enabled this problematic pooch to find his ideal family.

With patience and an open heart, the Brooks welcomed Eddie’s fiercely loyal spirit into their lives…

And this lovable, naughty dog proved that when the perfect match comes along, everyone ends up better off.

🧠 Top Training Tip of the Week — “Leave it!”

Today, you’re gonna learn one of the most important commands out there:

Teaching your dog "leave it”.

"Leave it" is more than a trick…

It's a vital command for your dog's safety and your peace of mind.

We’ve all seen our dogs pick up something potentially harmful or nasty…

And the look they give when they don’t want to let it go!

The American Kennel Club, renowned for their expertise in dog training, has a fantastic tutorial on “leave it”…

With a video breakdown of the steps to effectively teach your dog this crucial command.

Ready to learn how to teach your dog "leave it"?

Check out the AKC's video guide here and start training today!

🇺🇲 The 50 State Rescue Challenge: Maryland 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 Old Line State — Maryland! 🦀

Specifically, we’re highlighting the GoldHeart Golden Retriever Rescue in Chester, Maryland.

This compassionate sanctuary, established in 1999, is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming Golden Retrievers and their mixes.

Their team of devoted volunteers has successfully rehomed over 1,260 dogs, providing them with a loving haven and a chance for a happy, forever family.

GoldHeart's service area covers most of Maryland, south-central Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

Their volunteers go out of the way to provide a safe haven, medical care, and assess each dog's temperament to find the best match for their forever home.

If you're in Maryland and looking to adopt, GoldHeart Golden Retriever Rescue is an excellent place to look.

Learn more about the GoldHeart Golden Retriever Rescue here!

P.S. Not in Maryland? We’ve got you covered!

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

🐾 Paw Profiles: 3 Maryland rescues ready for adoption

The GoldHeart Golden Retriever Rescue in Maryland has a handful of goldens up for adoption right now, including a pair of brothers!

Check them out below!

Golden 1

Meet Golden 1, a bright-eyed bundle of joy just short of 3 months old! This little guy is a little shy, but charming and playful, and responds well to treats and petting. 

With a love of play and a gentle nature, Golden 1 is looking for a forever home where he can blossom with love and confidence. 🐾🌟

Golden 2

Introducing Golden 2, the brother of Golden 1! Just like his brother, Golden 2 is learning housebreaking and crate training, and showing great progress.

He's a lively spirit, full of energy, and also responds great to treat-based training. He enjoys his grooming routine, and would love a home where his playful nature can be cherished. 🐾💛

Wiley

Say hello to Wiley, a curious and playful golden puppy! This adorable boy is a big fan of early mornings, thanks to his farm origins, and shares a strong bond with his 4-year-old Golden foster sister.

Up-to-date with his vaccinations, Wiley is also well on his way to overcoming a minor health hurdle with a robust appetite.

This lovable pup is eager for a forever home where his playful and affectionate nature will be reciprocated. 🐾🌞

Interested in adopting a Golden Retriever?

Check out all of GoldHeart's wonderful dogs up for adoption here!

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

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