The team at the SPCA of Wake County (SPCAWC) is no stranger to quirky pups, but their newest arrival in early October stopped everyone in their tracks.
“He looks exactly like a badly taxidermied meerkat,” Samantha Ranlet, SPCAWC’s communications manager, told The Dodo. “We adore him for it — but the resemblance is real.”
The dog in question was Banjo, a stout little terrier mix rescued from a crowded shelter where he’d been overlooked. He was older, timid and unsure — the kind of dog who instantly tugs at the staff’s hearts.
“If there’s one thing that gets us every time, it’s a nervous or senior dog,” Ranlet said. “So naturally, the whole team made it their mission to spoil him silly and earn his trust.”
It didn’t take long for Banjo to feel safe. And once he did, his wonderfully awkward personality came out in full force.
That’s when staff noticed his signature move: an unprompted, enthusiastic “sit pretty.”
“Somewhere along the way, someone taught Banjo to ‘sit pretty,’ and he took that very seriously,” Ranlet said. “He just waddles around popping into ‘sit pretty’ at random, totally unprompted.”
No one knew why Banjo was constantly showing off his trick — maybe he thought it would win him affection, or maybe he just loved doing it. But one thing was certain: he meant business when he did it.
“He gets this wild, eager look in his eyes, like he’s just earned a mountain of treats and cannot wait for his reward,” Ranlet said.
You can read more about Banjo here:
His antics quickly became a daily dose of joy for the entire staff.
“This little werewolf potato becomes an unintentionally hilarious ball of sunshine,” SPCAWC wrote on Facebook. “Banjo may not be polished, but that’s exactly why he’s perfect.”
Their “plump little meerkat masterpiece” didn’t have to wait long for a happily-ever-after. Banjo soon found his forever home — complete with loving parents and a small dog sibling to keep him company.
While he misses the team who lifted his spirits and cheered him on, Banjo is thriving in his new life, and the SPCAWC staff couldn’t be more thrilled.
“We are so excited for him and this fresh start!” Ranlet said.
To help pets like Banjo get the care they need, you can donate to SPCA Wake County here.
