Fall

Fall is a wonderful time for walking.

A Beautiful Day to Walk Athena Part 2

A Beautiful Fall Day to Walk with Athena Part 1

Companionship

Athena provides wonderful companionship as evidenced here. As I'm often fond of saying, life really is just better with a dog.

Getting Ready for Bed

Athena starts to wind down when we do. After her evening walk she usually gets up on the couch or bed and waits for us to go to sleep.

Athena's Excellent Adventure - Dale's Blog

Dale took today off and got to spend some quality time with Athena. The following bits and photos are from his blog.

"Just bought an Off-Leash Park Dog License:"

"Guess who gets to go to the dog park today!? These two!"

"Today Athena made her inaugural visit to the dog park at Minnehaha Park."

"May squirrels were terrorized. Many butts sniffed. Many chases ensued. She is now passes out on the couch. Such a lightweight. Gratuitous picture of Athena too pooped to keep exploring. She kept touching the leash with her snout to let me know she was ready to go."

Treats

Athena loves Beggin Strips. I think they're the only reason she lets us put her ear drops in. Tonight should be the last treatment for her ear infection.

Good Company

Dale's working from about 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. today so I'm on my own this evening. It's nice knowing Athena's around to keep me company. It's been two weeks since we picked her up and brought her home. I'm so glad she's here. I've missed having a dog.

Athena Likes Green Beans

We discovered tonight that Athena likes green beans. 

Athena's Toy

Athena loves to try and get you to throw this toy so she can catch it or retrieve it. Sophie loved to go get things that were thrown to her but she would never bring them back. I threw the toy Athena is chewing on in the picture and she brought it back about three times before she started nawing on it.

Athena's First Week

I can't believe it's been a week since we got Athena and I'm amazed at the ease with which she's settled into our lives. Here she takes a well deserved rest.

Walking with Athena

I've enjoyed being able to go dog walking again. Today Athena and I took a short jaunt through the neighborhood. Gorgeous day for it. There was lots to see, hear, and smell.

Athena - Caught on Video!

Athena and I on the front steps.

Athena's Vet Visit

Dale and I brought Athena to the vet today. This was her first visit since she's been with us.  Dr. Schuld gave her a good report and says she looks fantastic. She was being treated for an ear infection when we got her. The doctor said the left ear still looks inflamed and told us to keep treating it for about a week. We also got her a bordetella shot and a city dog license.  She's good to go!

Funny

Found this on Facebook today.

Athena Likes Brocolli

It's confirmed. Athena, like Sophie did, loves broccoli. This is the second night we've steamed some for her and she snarfed it up. It's good  and good for her!

While Out Shopping for Athena...

Yesterday while shopping for food for Athena we came across this Mr. Bill squeaky plush toy at the pet store. I remember Mr. Bill from watching Saturday Night Live as a kid.  Poor Mr. Bill always got into some unfortunate mishap at the hands of Mr. Hands and always ended up saying "Oh, nooooooo...".  What a perfect toy for a dog to eviscerate.

Athena Settles In Nicely

The day we got Athena was a gorgeous beginning to the Labor Day weekend. There was literally not a single cloud in the deep blue skies. Wow, that was just about two days ago now. She's settling in quite nicely and we are overjoyed she is here with us.

Dale's Posting

Dale posted the following yesterday on his blog:

"We brought Athena home yesterday. What a sweet dog! She's made herself at home and we're gobsmacked. Expect more Athena photo spam in the posts to come. I have to say I love that this 4 1/2 year old dog is all house and crate broken. I love puppies but this was such an easy transition."

"A quick aside. We adopted Athena through a rescue organization. We know her first family had her from a puppy and then the mom and dad divorced. The dad kept her, but then lost his job and just couldn't keep it all together, so he gave her up for adoption. I am beyond grateful to him for handling this situation this way. Our last two dogs were dumped - one at 11 years old out in the boonies somewhere, the other at 3 months old in our neighborhood in the middle of a frigid Minnesota January."

Athena's Coat

Athena has a gorgeous coat. It's course and wavy and not a bit oily. 

A View from the Kitchen

As I went inside to mix another drink, our neighbors Jim and Megan came out of their house. Dale decided to introduce them to Athena. Athena couldn't help but notice me in the kitchen (the sound of the cocktail shaker probably got her attention) and I couldn't help but take this picture of her from the kitchen window.

Relaxin' With Athena

It was a gorgeous afternoon yesterday and we decided to sit in the backyard with Athena and have some cocktails to help celebrate her arrival. We were impressed with how calm and comfortable she was. She was distracted maybe once by a dog barking across the street.

Athena's Present

We had this squeeky toy on hand as a present for Athena's arrival yesterday but got so caught up in the excitement of just having her here that we forgot to give it to her.

We gave it to her today and although she seemed interested in it for a little while...

It wasn't more than a matter of moments before she lost interest.

Oh well. I guess it's the thought that counts.

Wake Up Call

It was so nice waking up this morning and having a dog in the house. This photo was actually taken yesterday as Athena was getting comfortable in her new home. It's so good to have her here.

Proud Papas

This girl got a sweet deal. So did we.

Athena's First Meal with Us

She inhaled it!

Athena's Arrival

Athena turned 5 in early August.

Athena

Athena sits for a treat.

Where'd She Go?

As Athena begins to settle in she is much more willing to venture off through the house on her own. At one point, while Dale and I sat on the porch, she disappeared for a bit. After about 5 minutes of quite without her I had to go check on what she was up to. I found her in the kitchen just lyin' down as you see here. She's settling in pretty fast. I like how the sunbeam catches her left eye in this photo.

Athena Made It Home

Top photo is Athena's first posed picture for us. I'm holding a piece of string cheese up by the camera.

For the bottom photo she was more willing to sit without an incentive.

Athena Arrives Home

This girl can't WAIT to get in the house.

Athena's Car Ride Home

Athena in the car on the way home. Dale's driving and I'm in the back seat with Athena. Weather-wise today was absolutely perfect.

Getting Ready for Athena

We got the water dish and food bowl washed and also laid down a new carpet so Athena has someplace softer to lie down than the hard floor.