Athena joined the Frist family in 2014 when she was three years old. She is a Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd mix and spent the first few years of her life in Kenya, where she was bred. She was then moved to Jackson Hole, WY, which is where the Frists met her through mutual friends. They knew right away that she would be a perfect fit for their family.

When we got her, she was already named Athena, and we didn't want to change it. 

She loves to go for walks in Percy Warner Park, play in the snow, walk on the beach and just be with us all day long.

She has slowed down a bit in her older age, but she still loves chasing squirrels, playing hide and seek, and interacting with other dogs. The Belgian Malinois is a working dog who likes to be busy and needs constant exercise.

She has a few pet friends, but she is more of a homebody. Adam and Julie Dretler live down the street from us, and Athena always enjoys seeing their two dogs. Her son, Mungo, lives in Montana, and she always loves seeing him. That said, he did not inherit her calm disposition, so those visits are usually short and sweet. 

We have multiple photos of her around the house (and on our phones), and she is always in our Christmas cards.

She is afraid of fire, water, flying, and loud noises. Not sure how that happened, but we guess she wasn't treated well as a puppy before we got her. 

Her sweet disposition, fierce loyalty, devotion to us, soulful eyes, and

protective nature. She is also great company - I never feel alone when she is with me.

She loves scrambled eggs and chicken jerky.

Athena refuses to go to the bathroom in our yard. She views it as an extension of our house. As a result, we have to take her to the park or walk her in the neighborhood multiple times a day. This is a challenge when it's really cold or rainy. 

People often comment on how pretty she is - and she loves the attention. Our daughter nicknamed her "the Gigi Hadid of dogs."