When the Be Intentional dog rescue board members first met Athena, they were struck by her heartbreaking condition—she was among the most severe cases they had encountered. Athena was nothing but skin and bones, severely underweight, and noticeably undersized for her age. While they couldn’t determine exactly how long she had suffered, it was clear she hadn’t had proper nutrition, medical care, or even affection for a very long time.
Christie Kasko, the founder of Be Intentional, shared with The Dodo, “She was wearing a harness that was far too small, which had to be removed. Her body was infested with every type of parasite, and she had one of the most severe cases of sarcoptic mange the vet had ever seen.”
After a few days, Athena began to trust the volunteers and craved nothing more than to cuddle with them. While receiving treatment for her infections at the vet hospital, she picked up an endearing little habit. Each time a staff member walked by, Athena would grab her food bowl in her mouth and hold it up, as if to say, “Notice me!” She quickly discovered that this charming trick would earn her extra treats and affection.
She was absolutely right—no one could resist her sweet, hopeful expression, especially knowing the hardships she’d faced. Once she was well enough to leave the hospital, Athena was transferred to Sauver Des Chiens German Shepherd Dog Rescue, where she could benefit from their specialized resources and experience with her breed.
Sauver Des Chiens placed Athena with the ideal foster family. According to her official Facebook page:
“She’s with the perfect foster, someone with medical experience, training skills, and grooming knowledge, who has no other dogs. This means she’ll receive full attention in a peaceful country home—just what she needs to decompress and learn to trust and love again.”
Athena’s foster mom shared, “She still sometimes carries her bowl around, but she’s getting all the nutrition she needs now.” Though her recovery will be a lengthy process, Athena’s journey took a heartwarming turn. She became a “foster fail”—her foster family fell so deeply in love with her that they decided to adopt her.
Now, Athena has found her forever home with Patti Pulliam, a dedicated Sauver Des Chiens volunteer and training coordinator. Athena couldn’t have wished for a more loving family.
