Athena T's Story

	Sweetheart is a little overwhelmed ... not to worry, Athena's confidence is growing and she is soaking up all the TLC and loves the new leash on life.
Nothing like being with their people brings such a wide smile and tail wag to a Labrador Retriever!
	Athena is learning lots of good things ... she is getting better walking on leash and meeting up with new people, things and sounds. This pic was in April ... she may be wondering if it snows year round in this new land called Long Island!
The confidence is growing ...
	and growing!

We finally got some pictures together! I tell people bits and pieces of Athena's story almost everyday. Everyone who meets her loves her.

We first saw Athena in the weeks after her arrival from Virginia (editors note: adopters occupation brought them to property of private hospice on a regular basis). All of the pups were so beautiful. Some of the dogs would shy away from you; others would put their paws up on the half doors and try to say hi. There was Athena, just sitting on top of her crate looking at us. Her beautiful eyes and soulful expressions just make you love her immediately. We knew without a doubt, that if we were to adopt a lab, she would be the one. She had picked us.

The first challenge for Athena was to walk in our front door. She was afraid of the doorway, and really took some coaxing and a lot of patience. Within about two weeks she was going in and out of the house without a problem, but wouldn't go in any other doorways without a lot of help. She was afraid of the television. She was afraid of just about everything. She didn't go upstairs in the house for several months. One day she just went right up. She got very attached to us very quickly and wouldn't let us out of her sight. She was very afraid of our cars in the driveway and wouldn't go close to them. The other day, while washing our cars, she jumped right in and sat down in the passenger seat as if to say, "you washed this car long enough, it is time for a ride."

At first she wouldn't go near anyone other than us. She shied away from people touching her. For several months you had to get down to her level and let her make her way to you. She has progressed so much. She goes up to new people, especially if she smells other dogs. It seems like she didn't know how to use her nose at first. She wouldn't sniff around at all. After about two months it seemed like she discovered all the smells and sounds and sights. You could literally see her open up to the world. It is amazing and has to be one of the best parts of adopting one of these beautiful pups. You get to see them discover the world around them. You give them love and they are able to come out of their shells and just be puppies.

It is easy to forget about Athena's rough beginnings. She is a totally different dog. She loves to play tug-of-war and she LIVES to fetch. You could throw a Chevy and she'll bring it back to you some how. If no one plays with her she throws her own toy up in the air, like a cat and chases it and pounces on it. She goes anywhere you ask her. In doors, upstairs, she will follow us anywhere. She's very obedient and eager to please, with very little actual training. It took two hours of attention to have her stay on her doggy bed for the entire night. She was house broken in a snap. She learned the radio fence faster than I did. Last week she had her first dip in ocean water. What would a lab be without a wet tail?

Athena truly is amazing. She's loving and sweet and has added so much to our lives. You can't look in her eyes and not fall in love. We can't imagine having a better dog. The love and care that these pups received from LILRR no doubt saved their lives. It seems like Athena knows this and actually appreciates the second chance. It really is a testament to Sandee's system and to the strength and resiliency of the breed. Everyday Athena seems to give more and more love; we just try to keep up. In three months Athena will have a baby sister to play with. – J. & S. T. -