Ralfie

My story

Decisions have consequences—sometimes ones that change everything. Meet Ralfie. He's a stunning dog with a heart of gold and a personality to match. But, sadly, a poor decision almost cost him everything. Here’s what happened: Ralfie was just minding his own business at a family member's property when a goat wandered onto the scene. Being the guardian he is, Ralfie saw a threat and took action. Unfortunately, this led to a heartbreaking ultimatum. A family member insisted that it was either Ralfie or the grandchildren, and they had to make a choice. Devastated, Ralfie’s owner had no choice but to surrender him to the shelter where he ended up on the euthanasia list. What followed was nothing short of a miracle. Ralfie came so close to slipping through our fingers—he was on the brink of losing his chance at life. But thanks to a devoted foster family who stepped up when it mattered most, Ralfie got his second chance. While there are many factors at play in this story, one thing is clear: the situation could have been handled differently. But in the end, Ralfie found his way to safety, and for that, we are incredibly grateful. He’s not just a dog; he’s a second-chance story we’ll never forget. Ralfie is the perfect example of why we do what we do. These dogs don’t have a voice—they can’t tell their own stories. But we can. And we will. This isn’t about assigning blame or making anyone feel guilty. This is about Ralfie, his journey, and what happened to him. His story matters, and we’ll make sure it’s heard. Because, spoiler alert, dogs aren’t just soulless objects that don't feel anything. They’re living, breathing creatures with emotions. Yet every day, they’re handed some of the crappiest cards life has to offer—and somehow, they still manage to be some of the most incredible beings on the planet. Ralfie is a 7-year-old, 45lb mixed breed—though good luck trying to figure out exactly what he’s mixed with, because it’s honestly like he was made in a “breed blender.” The shelter had him listed as a Rough Collie mix, which, sure, I guess if you squint and really stretch the imagination, you could see that. His markings might hint at it, but his head shape? Definitely not Rough Collie material. And let’s not forget, he’s a little on the pudgy side, which probably isn't exactly the “Rough Collie aesthetic,” but hey, he’s rocking it. Whatever his mix is, it doesn’t change the fact that he’s a beautiful soul inside, even if his ancestry is a bit of a mystery. Ralfie is basically everything you could dream of in a new dog—He’s great with other dogs, he’s good with kids, and he’s the picture of sophistication. Forget the puppy who’s dying to play all day. Ralfie is above that—he prefers a serene, peaceful vibe. Sure, he tolerates the chaos of younger dogs, but participating? Nah, he’s too refined for that nonsense. He’s been around a Beagle (who’s, let’s face it, a fraction of his size) and did just fine. So we’re pretty sure he’s got the same "live and let live" philosophy when it comes to cats—he’ll probably give them a casual nod of acknowledgment and carry on with his own business. As for small children? Yeah, we haven’t seen him in action with them, but he’s great with older kids. Ralfie is NOT the type to shake up the party. He’s ridiculously chill, just rolling with the flow of life. When it comes to people visiting, Ralfie won’t be the first one to greet them at the door—he’ll eventually mosey over, at his own pace, because why rush? He’s so laid-back, you might forget he’s even there. And when he does greet new people, it’s with the utmost politeness—no jumping, no barking, just pure, unbothered class. Ralfie is absolutely the definition of a couch potato. He’s the type of dog who loves to be close to his humans—whether that's sprawled on the floor or nestled in the rocking chair with you. If you step foot in the kitchen? Ralfie’s right there, shadowing your every move. He’s basically the living embodiment of "I just want to be near you." His energy level is a solid 5 out of 10—he’s the perfect balance of calm and "I guess I’ll hang out with you, but I’m not running marathons." Ralfie is like a wise, gentle old soul who just wants love and attention, and if you give it to him, he’ll become your best friend ever. His favorite pastime? Curling up on the couch (or in that rocking chair you love) like the true king of relaxation that he is. And if you’ve got rules about furniture, don’t worry—Ralfie is the most polite dog ever. He’ll ask before he climbs up. In the car, Ralfie is the ultimate co-pilot. He’ll sit quietly in the back, either napping or looking out the window like a well-mannered, silent observer of the world. Leash walks? No problem—he’s a zig-zagger, but at least he doesn’t pull you to the ends of the earth. As for living situations? Ralfie could totally thrive without a yard. He’s perfectly content with leash walks for bathroom breaks and exercise—so he’s the perfect fit for an apartment or a home without a fence. Routine? He’s got that down. He enjoys his walks and isn’t overly demanding—he’s just here for the chill vibes. As far as house manners go, Ralfie is practically a dream. He’s potty trained, kennel trained, and doesn’t chew everything in sight like some kind of rabid beaver. In fact, he’s the quietest dog you’ll ever meet—no barking. Not inside, not outside. He’ll give his ears a little twitch if something catches his attention, but that’s about as vocal as he gets. Does this dog look or sound like the type to take down a goat? Yeah, didn’t think so either. But of course, we weren’t there, so we’re just left scratching our heads, wondering what in the world happened. Such is life, I guess. This senior boy absolutely should have never found himself homeless, much less almost died, but, well, those were the cards he was dealt. Sure, he might seem a little down and withdrawn at the moment—probably still processing all the nonsense he’s been through. But every day, he’s coming out of his shell more and more, and we have no doubt he’ll bounce back. One lucky family will get to experience his incredible transformation from heartbroken to the most amazing family member ever. So, are you ready to make your life 100% better? Well, lucky for you, we’ve got the perfect dog—Ralfie. But before you get all excited, we need you to do one tiny thing (don’t worry, it’s easy, we promise). Fill out the adoption application at https://www.pyrpawsandfluffytailsrescue.com/adoption-app so we can send it to his foster family, and then—brace yourself—you get to pick him up in Edmond, OK. Yes, Edmond. We know, it’s a big decision, but we believe in you.

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Ralfie, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.