Tribute to Athena

Update 3/30/09: Goodbye my darling Athena. Thank you for seven wonderful years. Saying goodbye to you today was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I'm not sure that words are yet in existence to describe the emptiness inside my heart. Hermes and I love and miss you so much. . . so much that I could not let you suffer.
Until one day we meet at the Rainbow Bridge . . . I will love and miss you every day. Thank you for choosing me. . . thank you for letting me be your mom. I love you, Athena.

Tribute to Athena

This video is dedicated to my incredible Alaskan Malamute, Athena. Athena turned 7 years old on November 29, 2008. She has loved every moment of life. She's never met a person she didn't like or gone on a walk where she didn't discover sheer bliss in sniffing the simplest of things. She is without a doubt the most loving dog I have ever known and not a day has gone by where she hasn't made me laugh over something (she has many hysterical antics). Athena is titled in agility and rally, but her true love has always been therapy work.

On January 20, 2009 Athena was diagnosed with terminal bladder cancer. It came on very fast and very strong. I was told that our days together may be few. I just want to enjoy every precious moment we still have together and remember all of our wonderful times.

I originally made this video only to share with my friends and family (and as a comfort to myself), but then decided instead to make it public so that even perfect strangers could see how beautiful my girl is.

Athena is currently taking several medications as well as Chemo treatments and a menagerie of holistic supplements. I was told her cancer is terminal and we could have anywhere from several weeks to several months depending on how she responds to the treatments. I know my "Thenie" will do her best to stay with us much longer than that.

The agility video clip at the end of this was taken only two days after her diagnosis, as you can see she hasn't lost her flare for agility. This clip is especially dear to me because Athena goes "there is possible fuzz on the floor but it may be a treat... I need to investigate!" part way through which is a VERY Athena thing to do.

The other dog pictured is Hermes, my 8 year old husky mix and Athena's big "brother".

Thank you for watching.

The song is "1,2,3,4" by the Plain White T's.
Thanks to H.G.Foto for taking at least half of these pictures including the professional posed shots and to Frank Jansen for the many Agility action shots over the years.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Alaskan
• Malamute
• Dog
• Agility
• Athena
• Memory
• Training

[kabtube]

Athena was a good dog. Came into your life to help you do what you do now. Love and train dogs.

Kevin

[AgilityMalamute]

Thank you, Kevin. This is very true... I still miss my Theenie.... every. single. day.

[akitamalamute]

loved your video. So sorry about her illness.

[AgilityMalamute]

Thank you for your words.

[animalfanatic19]

Gorgeous tribute to a great dog. She had a lot of heart and really loved to please you. It's obvious in ever picture and clip in this video that she loved doing what she did and enjoyed it with you. She had a smile on her face, and her life was filled with happiness. I know that saying goodbye to that special friend is never easy, but at least you'll know that no one could have given her a better home than you did. <3

[AgilityMalamute]

Thank you. Athena truly did love doing whatever I was doing. She always wanted to be with me and included in all activities. I miss her so much, but I am thankful that she came into my life, no matter the length of her stay. She was the best teacher I have ever had.

[sonicgloo]

Your video for Athena inspired me to make a tribute video for my Malamute Tibet who I lost last June to bladder cancer. Such amazing beings these Malamutes... Here's the link to Tibet's video which I just finished and posted last night. Peace. I just posted it as a video response in case you might want to watch it...

[bladeimm]

She had a good life.

[jbaggerman86]

@AgilityMalamute Reminded me of my dog when i was a kid, she was a blue healer and we did everything together

[sonicgloo]

Beautiful. Just found this while searching for info on bladder cancer which was diagnosed for my wonderful 10 year old Malamute named Tibet just last week. :-( So, I know how you feel. I'm just praying I can find a way to humanely extend her life and give her comfort in the weeks and months ahead. Thank you for posting this. Mark in San Francisco

[MetalUzuki08]

Aww..: '[ this is so sad.... I'm so sorry your dog is definitely in a better place don't worry....

[McKayR23]

That was sad, it made me cry. The pictures reminded me of my first dog a Sib Husky named Tasha. But she lived well into her old age at 17.

[wolf3102]

very good video

[alite10]

Dont worry he in good place now =]