Little John

My story

Meet Little John: This boy is the canine equivalent of a “Find My iPhone” tracker—you will never misplace him because he will never misplace you. Ever. Bathroom trips? He’s there. Midnight fridge raids? He’s there. Awkward phone calls? Yep, he’s leaning against your leg like emotional support Velcro. Don’t get me wrong, LJ isn’t all cling and no fun. He has that “happy-go-lucky frat boy” larger-than-life personality—wrestling the other dogs, playing fetch like it’s a competitive sport, and generally bouncing around like sunshine on four paws. Basically, if you’ve been craving a dog who thinks personal space is a myth and unconditional love is a lifestyle—congratulations, your search is over. Little John has entered the chat. Little John first came to us as part of the legendary Robin Hood litter we pulled with their mama, Shalane, a little over a year ago. Fast-forward to today, and LJ is back with us through no fault of his own. His former family loved him dearly, but sometimes life throws curveballs, and his owner had to surrender him back due to some big life changes. Little John is a 14-month-old, 77lb male Golden Retriever mix. Little John is basically the social committee chair of the dog park. He meets another dog and immediately assumes they’re auditioning to be his new tag-team wrestling partner. Most of the time, he actually listens when the other dog tells him to cool it, but every now and then he’s like that overeager frat boy who just doesn’t read the room. Bottom line: he loves dogs. All of them. Even the ones that clearly don’t want to be loved. Cats? No official résumé yet, but odds are he’d be the guy showing up with a friendship bracelet while the cat plots his demise from the bookshelf. As for kids—well, let’s just say he’s not into the sticky, shrieky variety. The toddler crowd is a little too much for him, and he’d rather keep a polite distance. But once the kids get old enough to use an inside voice and walk without falling over their own feet, he’s a fan. He did wonderfully with a 10-year-old in his previous family, proving that he just prefers humans who have at least a few years of training under their belts. When it comes to meeting strangers, LJ likes to put on his best “intimidating bodyguard” routine. But don’t be fooled; he’s all bark and no bite, more mall cop than mafia muscle. It’s really just nerves and uncertainty. Give him a little time and a good vibe, and suddenly he’s your biggest fan, tail wagging like he never doubted you for a second. On the energy scale, LJ lands a solid 7 out of 10. Think puppy energy trapped in a kangaroo’s body—bouncy, playful, and always ready for another round. He’s not full Tasmanian Devil, but don’t expect sloth-level lounging either. When it comes to lifestyle, LJ is basically an “adventure seeker in training.” With a little more socializing, he’d happily trot along on hikes, coffee shop runs, or wherever his human decides to go. His life philosophy is simple: wherever you are, that’s where I’m supposed to be. And honestly, he’s not wrong. As for his overall temperament, he’s a happy-go-lucky sweetheart wrapped in a timid little shell when it comes to new things. He’s playful, loving, and the type to pick one person and then orbit them like a furry, barking moon. Fetch, wrestling matches, shadowing your every step—these are his core life skills. He’s also the kind of guy who makes you forget about “personal space” because, well, you don’t have any anymore. His favorite activities? Playing. With toys, with other dogs, with humans, with the air molecules in the room if he has to. Fetch? He’s obsessed. Wrestling? Sign him up. Toys? Either carrying them like prized trophies or launching them across the floor. He can entertain himself when necessary but would vastly prefer that you drop whatever you’re doing and join in. Living situation? LJ is versatile. He walks well on a leash, so apartment life is totally doable, but he also thrives with room to run in a fenced yard. Basically, he’s happy as long as he has two things: you, and an opportunity to play. Yes, LJ is potty trained—so you can cross “clean up pee puddles” off your to-do list. Congrats, you’re already winning. As for kennels, he’s… tolerant. In his previous home, he used one regularly like a civilized citizen. These days? He’s over it. Why be in doggy jail when you could have freedom? He’ll humor you if necessary, but really, he’d rather be in the middle of whatever you’re doing. When left alone, he free-roams responsibly like the perfect houseguest. A full workday is fine, though if you’re gone longer than nine hours, you might come home to an accident. But really, nine hours? That’s on you, not him. At night, he sleeps in the bed like the royalty he believes he is. He used to be a kennel sleeper, but once he discovered the bliss of hogging blankets, he never looked back. He’ll stay zonked out all night, though—you’re welcome. What’s the main thing to know? LJ is a stage-five clinger. The Velcro dog to end all Velcro dogs. He picks his human and then makes it his mission to never, ever let them go. He’s sweet, he’s loving, and he’ll even drape himself across you in bed like a weighted blanket with fur. Honestly, he’s the full package—if your dream package is affectionate, clingy, and slightly dramatic. Barking? Oh, LJ’s got a whole playlist. He’s got the “stranger danger” bark, the “hmm, that looks suspicious” bark, the “I’m not sure what’s happening but I’ll back up the squad” bark, and of course, the “just kidding, I was actually playing” bark. Basically, he’s a background vocalist in the neighborhood choir—sometimes singing lead, sometimes just chiming in because everyone else was doing it. It’s not excessive, it’s just his way of making sure the world knows he’s paying attention… even if he’s not totally sure to what. So, here’s the deal: Little John is sweet, playful, ridiculously loyal, and 100% ready to Velcro himself to his forever human. But—and this is important—you don’t get LJ by just typing “dibs” in the comments or tagging your cousin who “needs a dog.” No ma’am. You’ve gotta fill out an actual adoption application at https://www.pyrpawsandfluffytailsrescue.com/adoption-app, let us send it to his foster family for review, and then come pick him up in Yukon, Oklahoma. Because apparently teleportation is still not an option in 2025. So if you’re ready for unconditional love, a permanent shadow, and a dog who thinks “alone time” is a personal insult—congratulations, Little John just might be your guy.

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