Athena

 I have been fostering German Shepherds for many, many years, and I’ve had some truly  wonderful dogs come through my home.  Among all those dogs, Athena is really something special.  First of all, this girl is stunningly beautiful.  No kidding!  Athena is a knockout.  When you take her out and about, she is the dog that turns heads wherever you go.  Even people who are not dog lovers have to stop and ask about Athena.  When she gazes at them with her golden brown soulful eyes, they fall in love, just like I did.

But Athena is so much more than just a pretty face.  Athena is highly intelligent and very adaptable.  She is bright and observant, and will intently watch the normal household activity, and quickly see where she fits in.  It’s not a matter of starting a long adjustment process with Athena.  Within a day or two of bringing her home, she fit in so easily, that I felt like she had always been here. 

 And there’s more!  Athena is very athletic.  With her thick, plush coat, and the sure, strong legs of an athlete, when Athena runs, it is like poetry in motion.  And let me tell you, this girl can run like the wind.  She plays delightfully with my male German Shepherd, and I love to sit outside and watch them go.  Some dogs dislike getting wet.  Not Athena.  She loves to play in water, and is thrilled when the sprinklers come on.  If you have a pool, she would most likely be a very happy swimming companion.  I really think Athena would excel at agility training and advanced obedience training.  With her athletic ability and strong intelligence, Athena is a dog that should be challenged to fully use her wonderful body and mind. 

And we’re not quite finished.  Athena is already obedience trained!  She is house broken and crate trained, and will often nap in her crate with the door open.  She comes when she is called, and knows several basic commands such as sit and down, and we are working on stay.  Honestly, “stay” is not Athena’s favorite thing to do, but she is making great progress.  She walks beautifully on a leash, and rides great in a car.  If you say a gentle “uh-uh,” she immediately stops what she’s doing, and redirects her attention. 

I could go on and on, because I have just enjoyed fostering Athena so much.  It’s going to be so hard to let her go!  But I am committed to fostering, and when one foster leaves, that opens the door for another dog in need.  So sadly, I must now begin the process of helping Athena find her forever home.  I think Athena would do best as the companion to another large dog, and would get along best with a male.  She loves children, but she is a large, active dog who could accidentally bump into a little one, so I think she would do best with older children.  Athena is a sweet girl who wants a little time to observe things, but once she starts to cuddle, she is a real snuggle bunny, so she needs a home where she gets plenty of affection and attention.  Please do remember that Athena is not a couch potato. She needs and wants to get out, and loves to focus on exercise and training.  If you can offer the kind of home Athena needs, please come meet her.  I think she will be an easy and delightful dog to add to your household.