A DOG that has spent three-quarters of her life in kennels is getting ready to mark the twelve-month anniversary of arriving at Dogs Trust Merseyside.

German Shepherd Cross, Athena, came into the care of the Knowsley-based rehoming centre on January 26 last year, aged just four months.

Bosses there say it soon became clear that she needed help with some of the behaviours she had developed.

But thanks to the dogged devotion of the team, and Athena, one year on she is more than ready to find a special home of her own.

'Tough start life'

Georgina Lowery, manager at Dogs Trust Merseyside, said: “Athena is a beautiful girl who has had a tough start to life and when she arrived at the centre she had developed a habit of chasing her tail.

"Young dogs often do this but for Athena it had become an obsession.

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“Our expert training team have been working with her to help her break the habit by using distraction and rewards, whether that’s through play or teaching her to target something such as going to her comfy bed and being rewarded with a tasty treat, and she has spent a lot of time in our reception area, so she has been kept occupied by the comings and goings and getting a lot of love!

“She is now ready to find her ideal home so we’re hoping that as the anniversary of her arrival approaches, she finds the very special someone she deserves.”

'Goddess of wisdom'

Athena is aptly named as in Greek mythology her name means goddess of wisdom and courage, which she has shown plenty of in the last twelve months to overcome her tough start.

The team say as a young dog she needs lots of exercise as well as mental stimulation to keep her brain busy, but as she loves heading out on adventures and adores her toys and playing with balls, with a family that will thoroughly enjoy spending time with her, she will be the perfect canine companion.

Athena would prefer a home with no other pets or neighbouring dogs, but she can live with children aged 14 and over.

In the past she has chased traffic and although this has dramatically reduced through training, she would thrive in an area where she can enjoy quieter walks.

She deserves a wonderful home

Georgina added: “Athena really deserves a wonderful home.

"Despite having a very disrupted start to her life, she has come on in leaps and bounds and has tried her best every day.

"It’s not all training with Athena though! She loves a cuddle and can often be found sitting in the grounds enjoying a stroke from her carers and watching the world go by.

“She simply needs the right home with owners who will continue with her training but enjoy spending time with her too.

"We are confident that when she has a fulfilling life packed with adventures and affection, she will be a very happy dog who will make sure she, and her owners, get the most out of each day.

“We want all of our dogs to live their best lives, so we offer lifetime behavioural support. Athena may not need support when she is at the heart of a new home, living the life she deserves, but we will always be here for her and her owners if there’s anything we can do to help this gorgeous girl have the best life possible.”

If you think you could be the special family Athena has been waiting for, please go to www.dogstrust.org.uk/merseyside to find