Don’t be mistaken: Ralphie is no ordinary dog.
Beneath his hauntingly cute face and adorable, puppy-like expression hides a real demon. At least, that’s what his caregivers have to say about him.
Yes, he’s a Frenchie. And no, he doesn’t fit the typical innocent and quirky Frenchie personality. Instead, he’s a fierce little fighter, and for reasons unknown, he’s determined to take on the world.
Ralphie held a grudge against everyone… until he found his perfect passion!
The Devil in Disguise: Ralphie’s Struggles
Ralphie’s demanding and hostile nature was the reason he had been returned to the shelter twice. His previous adopters found him “too much” to handle, eventually deciding to part ways rather than keep him.
Then, new hope arrived.
When his third adopters applied to Niagara SPCA, New York, his caregivers were hopeful they had found the right match. Unfortunately, just a few weeks later, he was returned.
Ralphie’s aggressive behavior baffled the shelter. They couldn’t explain why he’d grown so hostile, especially since there were no signs of abuse or neglect in his past. Their best guess? His adorable appearance probably got him whatever he wanted earlier in life, and now he had decided to “boss” everyone around.
“At first glance, he’s an adorable, highly sought-after young dog. People should be banging down our doors for him. We promise you that won’t be the case. Ralphie is a terror in a somewhat small package,” wrote Niagara SPCA on Facebook.
While the shelter tried to stay positive, Ralphie was often labeled a “fire-breathing demon” who would bite at any opportunity.
In one video shared on Facebook, you can see Ralphie’s aggression toward a staff member.
“This is Ralphie. In this video, a staff member is trying to go into his kennel to retrieve a toy he has gutted. He’s not just jumping here. He’s trying to bite their fingers as they unlatch the kennel,” the shelter explained in the video description.
The shelter urged only serious adopters to apply for Ralphie, as he was not suitable for inexperienced owners or families with small children and pets.
Over 700 emails and applications later, Ralphie’s caregivers began to lose hope.
Then, a man reached out!
A New Beginning: Ralphie’s Perfect Match
Jason Lin, a dog trainer with over ten years of experience, came across Ralphie’s story and immediately decided to take him in.
Though he didn’t fit the “ideal adopter” profile (he already had five dogs of his own), the shelter was thrilled to match him with Ralphie.
“After reviewing 700+ emails, speaking with several dozen potential adopters, and sending applicants to Ralphie’s trainer for review, we found who we believe is Ralphie’s perfect adopter,” the shelter wrote on Facebook.
Thanks to previous training sessions Ralphie had in the shelter, along with Lin’s daily dedication, Ralphie began adjusting to his new environment.
Jason channeled Ralphie’s fiery spirit into exciting activities, such as playtime with other dogs, outdoor walks, and daily exercise. But one activity stood out the most – skateboarding!
For some reason, this tiny warrior loves hopping on a skateboard and cruising down the street with his dad. When he’s on that skateboard, it’s like a whole new dog emerges.
Though some people remain skeptical about his transformation, Ralphie’s newfound skateboarding skills prove he can follow commands and change.
This is just the beginning of Ralphie’s new life. With Jason and his new furry friends by his side, I’m confident Ralphie will soon leave that “demon” label behind. He just needs time.