He became famous as “the most terrible dog in the world.” Now he’s a therapy dog. How did that happen?

When you’re transformed by love, it seems anything is possible. Even for Eddie the Terrible. In celebration of National Anti-boredom Month, we’re dubbing Eddie (now Teddy) the least boring dog in the world!

Now happy in his new home, it was only a year and a half ago when Eddie was at the Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) looking for a family — although he had a funny way of showing it.

“He was an absolute thug about other dogs,” recalled Finnegan Dowling of HSSV. “He would just fly off the handle and do the canine equivalent of screaming insults. He was this little tan Chihuahua in a sea of tan Chihuahuas who decided to differentiate himself by holding strong opinions and absolutely raising hell about them.”

Of course, then ten minutes later he’d be “sitting on your lap looking at you like he was this little doggy angel dropped down from heaven.” Oh, Eddie.

Despite his noted “thuggery” and acting out, HSSV knew there was someone out there for him. “Eddie was an incredibly normal, smart, loving, funny, terrible dog in the way that most people’s dogs can be awful. My own included,” said Dowling.

So how did they find the perfect home for this perfectly terrible pup? By telling it like it is.

“We just told the truth – he wasn’t a threat to mankind, he was just a small, quirky dog with very strong opinions that wasn’t a great fit for every home but would make someone a loving pet.”

Boy, where they right.

A year and a half later, Eddie and his family still visit HSSV for his shots and you can just tell they’re happy. Of course, the fact that being certified as a therapy dog for his dad confirms this.

“He loves his mom and dad and is a totally different dog around them. Love helps Eddie keep his excesses at bay.”

If you’re thinking Eddie isn’t the only terrible dog out there who just needs a little love, you’re right.

As for advice for other non-boring dogs out there? “Embrace your imperfections and the things you do well, do them very well and often,” said Dowling. “With Eddie it was being a little cuddle-monkey with his friends – he’s loving, loyal and never forgets a person who was kind to him. A kiss on the nose goes a long way towards helping people forget that massive screaming temper tantrum you threw when you saw the cat.”

One final thing to remember? “You might not be terrible – you just might be in a shelter and upset and taken out of context.” Oh, and that “adoption doesn’t just save animals, it also saves people.”

Isn’t that the truth.