Pause for Pets: Meet John E, the teenage dog getting overlooked
Posted Dec 12, 2025 4:20 pm.
Last Updated Dec 13, 2025 9:15 am.
The Calgary Humane Society refers to them as “teenagers” — dogs looking for homes but often overlooked because of their age.
The Humane Society’s communications manager, Marissa Hansen, says many people are looking for puppies, believing that if you “start from scratch, you can kind of get the dog you want.”
She says some would-be adopters are uncomfortable with not knowing a dog’s history.
“We see a lot of animals between the ages of eight or nine months to a year or a year-and-a-half – we call them our teenagers — who struggle to get adopted,” she says. “Those are the animals that are not quite the little cute puppies, but they are also not the grown-up and trained dogs.”
“They are these teenagers growing up in a shelter, which means they are not getting the socialization they desperately need in the same way they would in a home.”
Hansen knows first-hand that judging a dog by its age can mean missing an opportunity.
“I got a dog from here when, I think, he was eight months old and in that teenager era, and he’s fantastic,” she says. “All dogs deserve a chance, a second home, a second life. Just because they may not be the exact age you want doesn’t mean they are not adaptable and not willing to learn.”
She says keeping an open mind might mean finding a dog that fits their family, regardless of age.
Right now, a handsome German shepherd cross named John E is at the Calgary Humane Society, waiting to be chosen.
Hansen says the 11-month-old is the perfect example of a teen forced to grow up in the shelter he’s been staying at for more than 70 days and counting.
“It’s not his full life, but it’s definitely too long for a dog at any age,” she says. “He is just so excited when he gets to go outside on hikes and gets to learn.”
John E is about 25 kg — a goofy dog who would be a perfect buddy for winter walks and summer hikes. The energetic canine is polite and loves meeting new people.
Looking for a dog to join your family? John E may be the right fit for you. Visit the Calgary Humane Society website for more information or to schedule a meet-and-greet.
