Loyal dog was on ‘brink of death’ as pup. She needs a home after 2 years in shelter
A dog who has faced multiple horrors in her life has been waiting a long time to finally have some peace.
Athena, a Cane Corso mixed pup, has been in a Philadelphia shelter almost all her existence. As of February, the 2-year-old tan and black canine has spent two birthdays at the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA,) waiting for her forever family to come along.
“Tomorrow marks two years since Athena was rescued from unimaginable cruelty,” the shelter said in a Feb. 15 Facebook post.
“At just weeks old, she was found with her siblings on the brink of death after having their tails docked and ears cropped illegally in the basement of a Philadelphia home.”
Pain and loneliness couldn’t keep Athena down, the shelter noted, and despite everything she’s been through, she’s full of life.
“But since that day, Athena has come so far. She still may take her time to trust, but when she does, she’s everything you could hope for in a companion - funny, full of spunk, and fiercely loyal,” the shelter said in its post. “True to her Cane Corso nature, Athena forms incredible bonds once she knows she’s safe, and she’ll stand by you through thick and thin.”
Her online pet profile says the wounds of her youth have since healed, and she’s still training and learning new things daily.
“Her ideal home will continue her training journey and provide her with the mental stimulation and guidance she craves,” her profile says.
For more information on Athena, visit the shelter’s website.
This story was originally published February 19, 2025 at 9:08 AM with the headline "Loyal dog was on ‘brink of death’ as pup. She needs a home after 2 years in shelter."