title: Monkey patch method on single object
body: <p>I would like to override the behavior of the <code>update_attributes</code> method on a <strong>single</strong> instance of a model class.  Assuming the variable is called <code>@alert</code> what is the best way to go about this? To be clear, I <strong>do not</strong> want to modify the behavior of this method for the entire class.</p>
  
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  <p><strong>DISCLAIMER:</strong>    </p>
  
  <p>I need to do this to force the method to return <code>false</code> when I want it to so that I can write unit tests for the error handling code following. I understand it may not be the best practice.</p>