We met Athena the white female Husky in a previous issue when she was rescued and taken in by the Clearwater Humane Society (CHS) which has recently announced, that she is now ready to be adopted as of Dec. 9 in the North Thompson.
CHS executive director, Maddy Capostinsky-Beka, posted about Athena’s availability on social media and told The Times how impressed she is with the female Husky’s development, describing her history and progress.
“Athena was lost, she didn’t know where to go. After running scared and alone all day some very kind people were able to get her into the vehicle. Completely exhausted, she slept for hours. Since then, we have been just allowing her to decompress and observing her behaviours. She’s been wonderful and has allowed us to help her and show her that the world isn’t so scary. See, she didn’t know what it was like to be on a leash, she didn’t know what it was like not to be on a short chain. Reasons we know she was on a short chain can be explained if you’re interested, send me a private message. Athena doesn’t know what it’s like to be a home dog, it’s a whole new world to her. She’s had to learn that coming to humans is okay and safe and we aren’t all that bad. She has had to learn that she can come into a house and it is safe. She has been learning that cats are friendly, not fun squeaky toys to paw at. And you know, she’s been very receptive to learning these things. She adores any other dogs that she’s met, big or small, and I do highly suggest she goes to a home with another well trained, calm, dog to show her how to continue to be a house dog and not an outside chained dog.”
Beka explains since Athena hasn’t been an indoor dog prior to being rescued, she is still learning how to adapt inside. “She is such a love and has the most happy go lucky personality. She’s been such a joy for all of us.”
Since she is still learning in the home she has adapted nicely to staying in a roomy kennel now feeling safe inside with her toys and treats. Beka has assessed the Husky over time has noted some important observations about this beautiful dog’s ‘best case scenario’ options for a suitable home. Since she seems afraid of pavement, vehicles, people walking with strollers, bicycles, and the like, walking outside in the bush or down quiet dirt roads are where she is most at ease and she does really well with positive reinforcement and calmness. She will require a human who is patient and can desensitize her to her new surroundings feeling it’s probably best that she lives outside of a city in a more rural setting.
“I’m going to say a home with no small animals is best and a home with no children under 8 only because she is a happy girl who loves to bounce around and play and doesn’t know we don’t jump around or on children. She has loved the children she’s met though, she’s just still learning and we don’t want her to knock them over. Athena is the sweetest husky talker. She talks, not a lot, but when she wants a treat or a toy, or dinner. She has also learned how to tell us when she needs to go outside too. When her people return home she is excited and happy to see them and makes her sounds like stories about what happened while you were away,” says Beka.
A quick learner, she now asks to go when she needs to but requires a fenced outdoor area and can’t be off leash when not in a secured area. She becomes skittish around loud, fast moving men that might try to touch her too quickly which seems to terrify her.
The adoption fee for Athena will be waived for the right person or couple, she is spayed and up to date with her shots. The veterinarian estimates she is two years old.
Beka’s list of criteria for adoption is as follows:
• She must be with someone ready to love her
• Her people should be quiet and calm
• It would be great if there was another companion dog for company
• No children under eight years old or very small animals
• She needs regular exercise and walks
• Must have a five foot dog safe fence and fenced yard
If you or someone you know would like to know more about Athena and possibly adopt her please call the Clearwater Humane Society at: 778-220-6753 or find them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ClearwaterHumane
