Athena von Aitern is a beautiful 5 year old German Shepherd. Described by her former owner as a "gentle giant" and an absolute lovebug, Athena is incredibly loyal and bonds deeply with her people. She is a medium-energy companion who eagerly sets off on walks with plenty of exploratory energy, handles greets gently, and does well walking alongside other dogs while keeping her focus on her handler. She is a social mingler who loves affection, often leaning in for hugs, hanging out at staff members' feet. Housebroken and very smart, she already knows commands like sit, paw, high five, lay down, wait, and can even give adorable "fist bumps" with her nose. Athena has a proven track record of being excellent with kids (including a 2-year-old), guinea pigs, cats, and small dogs—even sweetly letting a tiny Chihuahua terrier win at tug-of-war—making her an incredibly patient, well-rounded addition to the family. Athena came from a less than wonderful background. We always marvel at the capacity of dogs to leave their past behind and embrace their new lives. She even finds kennel life a blast. We can’t wait to see how thrilled she will be to have a good Westside family take her home