Meet Athena, a 5 month old (turning 6 months on April 16!) Labrador pup with a heart full of love and energy to spare. This sweet, goofy girl was surrendered to Dallas Animal Services after swallowing a cat toy her previous owner couldn’t afford surgery to remove. Thankfully, Dallas Pets Alive stepped in, and with the help of her foster, Athena received the surgery she needed and is now on the road to a bright, healthy future.

Athena is everything you’d expect from a young Lab playful, curious, affectionate, and always by your side. She gets along wonderfully with both cats and dogs and loves to wrestle with her foster sibling. Even while recovering from surgery, she’s already showing signs of being a future fetch or frisbee champion. When it's time to chill, she's happy to swap zoomies for a good bone to chew or a snuggle session right next to her favorite human.

She’s crate trained, potty trained, and already picking up commands quickly this smart cookie would thrive in a home that continues to challenge her mind and body. Her foster describes her as a “love bug” and total shadow, happiest when she’s glued to your side. Because she’s still a young puppy, she needs frequent potty breaks (around three a day) and is working through some excitement pees when coming out of her crate, but she’s growing and learning every day.

Athena’s ideal home would be with an active person or family who can keep up with her high energy and continue to guide her training. She’s incredibly loyal and alert and has the potential to grow into an amazing companion, service dog, or even hunting partner. With her intelligence, affectionate nature, and signature Lab goofiness, Athena is ready to bring endless joy to a lucky forever home.

If you’re looking for a loyal adventure buddy and cuddle queen in one adorable package, Athena is the one for you.

All Dallas Pets Alive adoptable pets are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and up to date on vaccines upon adoption. The standard minimum donation for dogs over six months to seven years is $200, puppies under six months is $250, dogs eight years and over are $100 unless specified otherwise. You can view all adoptable pets and fill out an adoption application online on our website at http://dallaspetsalive.org/adopt/adoptable-dogs/ . For more information, you can email adopt@dallaspetsalive.org.