Athena, STAR #1996

Athena is heading off to Aggieland where she’ll be Andrew’s walking buddy and Eunice’s gardening assistant. We know she’s up for these tasks and will get all the TLC she deserves. Andrew is also an avid cyclist, master gardener and grandpa; and on the national kidney registry (to learn more, please visit www.nkr.org/JVH644). STAR is one big family – so we are pleased to pass this important information along. Thank you to Doug and Deb for transport and to Julie for fostering.

Athena is a lovely Black Tri Female, roughly 58lbs and is around 6 years of age. She came to STAR from a family that had her since a puppy but was unable to keep her with allergy issues developed by a child in the home. Athena is beautifully behaved – is housetrained, fully vetted, spayed, microchipped, and ready to find a family to love. Here’s the bio on Athena from her foster mom:

“Athena was timid at first, but fast forward to today, she’s settled in and her personality shines through.

She is moderately active and will greet you happily and then turn her butt to you for a scratch session which often times turns into a roll over so you can access and scratch the belly. She is loving and affectionate, Velcro without being annoying – and knows when it’s time to settle.

She LIVES for her walks and can pull you along, so that’s a work in progress and gets better with every walk and a no-pull harness. She wants to meet and greet everybody and everything. She takes correction well while on walks but has a very short-term memory, so consistency is key. Our typical day consists of a walk in the morning and evening. She’s not one to stop and sniff – it’s like she has a goal for how many steps she can get in! She’s very excitable with the leash comes out. She’d be an excellent running companion in cooler weather.

She’ll bark at the doorbell and greet visitors with enthusiasm. She can do some jumping on you but responds quickly to “down” or “no”- but she could knock over a small child with her all-over-body happiness. After some excitement, she’ll back her butt up to you to get some scratches and then roll over so you can rub her belly.

She has been perfect with the two male dogs in the home and a visiting female dog – no scuffles over toys or food. In fact, she has no issue if the others try to take her food – she just back off and allows them to chow down or take her treats. She has developed a counter surfing habit so, if you want to keep your sandwich, keep it out of her reach!

Talking about chowing down – Athena has been on a weight loss plan and could use to slim down another 10-15lbs. We’ve been watching her food intake and ensuring she gets exercise. No table scraps – and I think she’s used to getting lot of food at the human table, as she’ll stare at you to let you know she’d like a taste or two… or more. But a firm no and she’ll go lay down.

I crated her at the beginning, and she’ll go in the crate with a treat. She knows all her basics like sit – stay – down. She’s not one to play with toys. She’s simply a lover who wants to be by your side for scratches- and she will use her paw to gently remind you that need to keep the scratches up.

She is not tested with young children but had no issue with the children in her previous home and has given me no indication she’d not get along fine with them. She does have a strong prey drive – and will chase any squirrels, rabbits or birds in the yard – she seems to just want to scare them off and protect her yard.  She has not been tested with cats – but I think she’d give a chase if they ran.

She has a beautiful, silky coat with some curly at the top. She has one blue eye and then the other one is mostly brown with a spec of blue – they are mesmerizing (especially when asking for food). She’s a very beautiful girl.

I look forward to meeting her future family to tell them all about her.”

Athena’s foster home is in Buda, TX. Please complete an application to be considered as an adopter, learn more about and meet her.

Athena is a Black Tri Female, approximately 6 years old and a hefty 61lbs (Diet, Stat!).  She’s a very sweet girl and well behaved – just could not stay in her home due to the young child’s allergies.  She’ll be vetted in her foster home in Dallas and may be available for adoption in early June.