ATHENA

Location: Walla Walla, WA

Meet Athena
Age: 2 Years, 9 Months
Breed: Great Dane/Mastiff Mix (Daniff)
Sex: Female
Spayed: Yes

Athena is a beautiful, goofy, and affectionate Daniff with a heart full of love and a personality that will make you smile. Whether she's proudly carrying her favorite toys around the house, splashing in the water, enjoying a car ride, or playing a game of chase, Athena finds joy in life's simplest moments. Above all else, she loves being close to her people.

At just under three years old, Athena has so much love to give, but she needs a very special home with someone who understands her challenges and is committed to helping her succeed.

Athena originally joined her current family through an emergency rescue earlier this year. Although her adopters have worked with trainers to address her reactivity toward other dogs, they have reached the difficult decision that they can no longer safely manage her behavior around unfamiliar dogs. They want to ensure Athena finds a home where her needs can be properly understood and supported.

A Loving Companion with a Playful Spirit

Athena is a people-loving girl who enjoys affection, companionship, and spending time with her family. She has been very tolerant of children in public settings, including sporting events, and enjoys being included in everyday activities.

She is house trained, crate trained, and does not require an especially active lifestyle. Athena is just as happy relaxing near her favorite people as she is enjoying some outdoor playtime.

She also has a wonderfully playful side. Athena loves her toys, especially carrying them around, and enjoys water activities and car rides.

Athena has successfully lived with cats without displaying a reported prey drive. She has also spent significant time with a familiar German Shepherd and has been able to coexist successfully. However, her interactions with unfamiliar dogs can be very different.

Understanding Athena's Needs

While Athena is an incredibly loving companion, she does have dog reactivity that her future family must be prepared to manage.

She is dog selective and particularly reactive when on leash. During a recent incident involving a small barking dog, Athena lunged with enough force to pull her owner down a hill. Because of her size and strength, she requires an experienced handler who can safely manage her during walks and unexpected encounters.

Athena's ideal home would likely be one where she is the only dog, allowing her to relax without the stress of unfamiliar canine interactions. Although she has successfully spent time with a familiar dog, any potential placement with another dog would require careful evaluation, slow introductions, and an adopter experienced in managing dog reactivity.

She must also be fed separately from other animals.

Athena is not a dog who will thrive in busy dog parks or environments where unfamiliar dogs may approach her without warning. She needs predictable routines, appropriate boundaries, continued training, and someone willing to advocate for her comfort and safety.

About Athena

• People Friendly: Very affectionate and enjoys human companionship.

• Children: Has been tolerant of children at sporting events. Appropriate supervision and introductions are important.

• Dog Friendly: Dog selective. Significant leash reactivity toward unfamiliar dogs.

• Cat Friendly: Has lived successfully with cats, with no reported prey drive.

• House Trained: Yes.

• Crate Trained: Yes.

• Energy Level: Low to moderate.

• Leash Skills: Requires an experienced handler due to her strength and reactivity.

• Favorite Activities: Playing with toys, swimming and splashing in water, car rides, chasing games, and spending time with her people.

• Feeding: Must be fed separately from other animals.

• Training: Has worked with professional trainers. Continued behavioral management and training will be important.

The Home Athena Deserves

Athena's perfect home isn't necessarily one with a huge yard or an adventurous lifestyle. What she needs most is someone who understands her.

She would thrive with an experienced large-breed owner who can provide a calm, structured environment, confidently manage her reactivity, and continue reinforcing positive behaviors.

A home without other dogs may be the best fit, although carefully evaluated exceptions could be considered with an experienced adopter. Her future family should be comfortable managing her interactions with unfamiliar dogs and committed to providing a safe, predictable routine.

In return, Athena has so much to offer. She is affectionate, playful, loyal, and happiest when she can simply be near the people she loves.

Give Athena the Fresh Start She Deserves

Athena has already experienced the uncertainty of emergency rescue, and now she faces another difficult transition through no lack of love from her current family. They recognize that she needs a different environment to truly thrive.

Athena doesn't need someone to overlook her challenges. She needs someone who will understand them, respect her boundaries, and appreciate all the wonderful qualities that make her special.

Behind her reactivity is a goofy, sensitive girl who loves her toys, enjoys the water, and wants nothing more than to be part of a family.

If you have experience with large, reactive dogs and believe you could provide Athena with the safe, loving home she deserves