HORSE SHOW BUDDY

This is Leroy!

Leroy is a 12 year old Rat Terrier.  he weighs around 10 lbs but could stand to gain a couple pounds.   Leroy has a long story so settle in cuz here we go.

​

Leroy was adopted by a family at 6 months old.  They had 2 small children and Leroy thrived.  Then the dad decided to raise labs.  Leroy was very protective over the children and would attack the Labs when they would get close to the kids.  Kathy was worried that the Labs would kill Leroy and decided they needed to find him a new home.  Leroy was 2 years old at this time.

​

My husband and I had a close elderly friend (80 years old).  She lost her small dog, and adopted a female Rat Terrier.  Millie was a holy terror and dragged Susan all over, often pulling her over.  So we took Millie (which is a whole nother story!) and set out to find Susan a new companion.  The local rescues wouldn’t adopt to Susan because of her age.  So I put an ad on Craigslist looking for a dog.  Susan said “no boys and no Rat Terriers”.  Kathy reached out to me via text messaging and said she had the perfect dog.  She sent pics of a boy Rat Terrier.  I told her that I didn’t think Susan would be interested.  Kathy said they would drive the 2 hours to town so Susan could take Leroy for a walk and decide.  Well Leroy was perfect and in Kathys words “He hopped on the couch in her lap and pretty much flipped us the middle paw.  We left bawling and he was happy to see us go.”

​

So Susan and Leroy lived together for 10 years.  Susan was a very active senior.  She walked everywhere;  around 3-5 miles a day.  She lived in an apartment in the busy South Hill, Puyallup area.  Leroy went to Walmart, REI, Pet Smart, etc…  Twice a month Leroy rode the bus with her to an assisted living facility where he charmed everyone.  Once a month Susan volunteered with the Puyallup Police Department and Leroy went every time, again riding the bus.  It was a match made in heaven!

​

Susan was an avid gardener but living in the apartments she didn’t have her own garden.  So she would stop and pull weeds in the complex, dropping Leroys leash.  He would sit by her feet, lightly pressing on her the whole time.  He would meet other dogs on his walk and in the dog park with no problems.  Susan walked the complex and the near by park with Leroy.  He walks like a feather on a leash.

​

Sadly in July of 2025 Susan fell.  She was 90 years old at that time.  Her brother deemed her as not being able to live alone and take care of herself, so we took Leroy in as Susan went into assisted living.  We had promised to do this for her so she didn't have to worry about Leroy.

​

The 1st couple of months was an adjustment for Leroy.  My husband thought Leroy would bond quick with him as he fed him treats for 10 years, but Leroy totally bonded with me, immediately.  We thought it was going to work out but by month 3 Leroy became very protective of me.  We have a full size Lab and 2 toy Aussies, one of which is geriatric.  He has attacked the Lab and the younger Aussie multiple times.  And its not just a warning but a full on vicious attack that doesn’t stop until I snatch him up as quickly as possible.  He only exhibits this behavior when I am home!  When I am working out of town there is no problem.

​

Leroy has been to the dog park with no problem with other dogs.  Leroy has spent all day in the yard with our other dogs with no problem.  The problem starts when he is with me and the other dogs in the household walk by.  And its not every time....  it is sporadic.  There is NO food aggression either!  They can all eat together with no problem.

​

We have tried numerous things to get him to stop but the switch clicks on so fast it astounding.  So with that being said, are worried Leroy or the other dog will be seriously hurt or dead, so we are trying to find the perfect home for Leroy where he is the only dog.  Our environment is not conducive to his happiness nor our peaceful environment.  Leroy is such a good dog he deserves to be pampered in a loving home with his human.

​

Leroy needs his own human.  He bonds best with women.  Here is Leroys pros & cons

​

PROS:

• Very healthy!  No problems getting around.  No known health issues.

• Leroy knows sit and stay.  He is so well behaved!

• Rides great in the car.  But you need to tell him to stay or he will want to jump out with you

• Best alarm system.  He will tell you if someone knocks, a car pulls up or anyone comes in the house.

• ENTHUSIASM!  He is so excited to see you!  He jumps up & down when you come home!  If you go to the bathroom and don’t let him in, he’ll be waiting at the door and jump up and down in excitement at seeing you when you open the door.  If you tell him we’re going bye bye, he’ll be jumping with enthusiasm!

• Crate trained;  if you tell Leroy KENNEL UP he trots right into his crate

• Leash trained;  he’s a feather on his leash

• Potty trained; in 7 months we’ve not had a single accident

• Devoted;  If you’re on the couch he’s next to you.  If you’re cooking he’s at your feet.  If you’re sleeping he’s got your back.   He is your best friend.

• When you get dressed he is excited for the day and will “talk” to you….  Even if its just to go to the kitchen to make breakfast he’s excited to start the day

• Groomers;  perfect gentleman at the groomers

• Low Maintenance;  easy to groom and bathe.  Leroy sheds very little.  He’s great to trim his nails if you want to do it at home

• Food motivated;  loves his treats!  He will do anything for a treat!

• Comes with a full wardrobe & Halloween costumes & a crate.

• Leroy loves kids!

 

CONS

• Leroy will have separation anxiety.  If you leave the house it is recommended to kennel him.  Susan said if she didn’t kennel him he would sit on the back of the couch.  When he would see her, he would get excited and patty-paw the blinds, shredding them.  He has never damaged any furniture tho.  We have had a camera on him when in his kennel and when we leave he settles in and sleeps the whole time.

• ONLY DOG;  Leroy needs to be the only dog.  He bonds deeply to his human.  He is protective/possessive and will not get along with another dog living in the home.  He hasn’t lived with a cat but I have my doubts that it would work out.

• Fenced Yard:  Leroys recall off leash is 50%.  He needs a fenced yard with a tall fence or you need to put a hot wire at the top of the fence to deter him from jumping over.  We have not seen him be a digger to try to get out.

• Sleeping:  Leroy wants to sleep with you at night.  He’s really good at moving over if you don’t want him to crowd you.  But if you try to kennel him he will squall all night.

• ​

So that is Leroys story.  He deserves a home where he is loved and comforted.  He has so much to give someone looking for a companion.  He is such a charming dog!  He wants to be a good boy and tries so hard.  He deserves someone that appreciates his efforts and understands his short comings.