The staff at a New York animal shelter consider themselves true professionals when it comes to writing adoption posts.
Even when a dog has some not so desirable qualities, there’s usually some way to “sugar coat” it. Dog doesn’t get along with other animals? Easy — “prefers to be an only child,” for example.
But then came along Ralphie, a little dog with a toothy grin and a face that he surely knows is really cute.
“At first glance, he’s an adorable highly sought after, young dog,” the shelter based in Niagara Falls said in a Jan. 17 Facebook post. “People should be banging down our doors for him. We promise you, that won’t be the case.”
Because not even the professionals at Niagara SPCA could find a way to sweeten his “less than desirable traits.”
In the brutally honest post that has since been shared more than a thousand times on Facebook, the shelter described him as “a terror in a somewhat small package.”
Ralphie was surrendered to Niagara SPCA after his second owners said he kept annoying their older dog.
“What they actually meant was: Ralphie is a fire-breathing demon and will eat our dog, but hey, he’s only 26lbs,” the shelter said.
But before Ralphie had the chance to annoy the dog of his second owners, he had his first set of owners who tried to get the little terror under control.
“His first owners took him to board and train, but their relationship was built on the premise that Ralphie was the boss so things ended abruptly,” the shelter said.
Niagara SPCA really wants to find Ralphie a home, but not by hiding his shortcomings. In a Jan. 24 update, the shelter shared a video of Ralphie trying to bite the fingers of a staff member attempting to get inside his kennel.
“He guarded his kennel in his last home and does so in the Shelter as well,” the staff said. “He does have a bite history of some sort. We don’t know the (circumstances) because his first owner won’t return our phone calls.”
Getting the leash on and off Ralphie is tricky, he believes everything is his and he will exploit your weaknesses, according to the shelter. There is no evidence he has been abused or neglected.
“While we’ve used humor to help make his behaviors more palatable for public consumption, his behaviors are no joke,” the shelter said. “His only saving grace is he is small and has some obedience training. He really needs a no nonsense owner. Otherwise, there may be no hope for him. That’s why we’re being super picky about his adopter.”
Ralphie has shown that “he is not awful with everyone nor is he completely unhandleable,” but only if he picks that person.
His perfect home would be with the “Mother of Dragons,” staff said, or at least an adult with no other animals or children. He needs someone who is calm, stern and who will put up “with zero crap.”
“He 100% is a full jerk, but we believe he has potential to be a good boy- if only a percentage of the time,” the shelter said.
If you fit the description and are interested in adopting Ralphie, contact Niagara SPCA at 716-731-4368 or through their website.
“Serious inquiries only,” the shelter said. “No, we will not make exceptions. No takesy backsies (kidding, obviously).”