One year ago today, we brought home a whirlwind wrapped in soft fur, our darling Athena. From the moment she set her curious little paws into our lives, she has been nothing short of a force of nature: elegant, intelligent, soft-hearted, gentle, energetic, and yet... oh-so stubborn. Over the past year, Athena has taught us lessons in love, patience, and the art of living alongside a creature with a knack for stealing socks, a passion for digging, and an unapologetic aversion to *anything* she didn’t feel like doing.  
Let me take you back to the beginning of our story, a year that has been full of laughter, exasperation, and immeasurable joy.  

The Day It All Began.  
Our darling German Shepherd, Zypher, shattered our hearts the day he crossed the Rainbow Bridge. The house, once alive with his presence, fell into a painful, unbearable silence. It wasn’t just the absence of the sound of his paws or his playful barks; it was the emptiness that echoed through every room, a stillness that settled into every corner. It felt as though part of our very souls had gone with him. Zypher had been more than a pet, he was family. Our protector, our companion, our constant shadow. And without him, loneliness wrapped around us like a heavy, unshakable fog.  
The days that followed were hard. Our home wasn’t *our home* without him. The quiet was too loud, the spaces too empty. Each moment was a reminder that something *someone* so precious was missing. We found ourselves still listening for him, still looking for him in his favorite spots. And every time we remembered he wasn’t there, the grief would crash over us again, sharp and heavy.  
But as much as it hurt, one thing became clear: our love for Zypher was far too big, far too boundless, to disappear with him. It remained, warm and aching, inside us, with nowhere to go. Zypher had taught us the power of unconditional love—the way a four-legged friend becomes part of your every day, part of your family, and part of *you*. And we realized we couldn’t let that love turn into loneliness. We couldn’t let our house remain so empty when we still had so much to give.  
We knew we weren’t looking to replace Zypher. We *couldn’t*. He was one of a kind, irreplaceable, and his memory will forever live in our hearts. But as a family, we made a decision. We needed a reason to smile again. We needed someone to help fill the silence and soften the sadness. We needed a new four-legged friend, not as a substitute, but as a new light, a new life to pour our love into.  
Because that’s what Zypher taught us: that dogs don’t just *take* our love; they give it back tenfold. Their presence is joy. Their loyalty is comfort. Their love is healing. And while we’ll carry Zypher’s memory with us always, we know there’s room in our hearts to love again, because that’s what he would have wanted for us.  
So, with love in our hearts and Zypher’s spirit guiding us, we set out to welcome a new friend into our lives. Not to replace the one we lost, but to honor him. To celebrate all he gave us by giving that same love to another.  
And in doing so, we know Zypher is smiling down at us, forever our good boy, forever our family, proud that even in his absence, his love lives on.   

The day we brought Athena home was bright and filled with nervous excitement. She was smaller then, soft, adorable, and somehow already looking at us like she *knew* she was in charge. That first night was a blur of tiny whimpers to scream like howls, exploratory sniffing, and our absolute adoration of her.  
In those early days, we thought we were prepared. Treats? Check. Blankets? Check. Toys? Plenty. But no amount of preparation could prepare us for Athena's *unique* quirks that made her one of the most delightfully unpredictable members of our family.  

The Sock Bandit.
If there’s one thing Athena has made abundantly clear, it’s that socks and boxer shorts belong to her. The laundry basket and the boys floors are her personal treasure chest, and the moment your back is turned, she’s off, silent as a shadow, with a prize dangling from her mouth.  
It’s almost comical how serious she is about it. The triumphant look in her eyes when she “finds” a sock she’s already stolen three times is priceless. And there’s no chasing her. Oh no, the chase is what she *lives for*. She’ll dance just out of reach, her tail wagging with pure mischief, daring you to catch her.  
There’s something about the ridiculous joy of finding her curled up in her bed with *your sock* that reminds us why we love her so much. She’s a thief, yes, but she’s *our* thief, and I wouldn’t trade those moments of laughter for the world.  

The Garden Architect. 
Athena’s fascination with the garden began early. It started innocently enough, a curious paw scratching at a patch of soil. But curiosity quickly turned into passion. Athena loves to dig. And I don’t mean the occasional playful scrape, I mean full-blown excavation projects.  
The centerpiece of her outdoor endeavors? Her beloved garden spade. I don’t know why or how, but the first time she saw it, her eyes lit up like she’d found buried treasure. Whether you’re planting flowers or attempting to *not* dig holes, Athena will be there, pawing at the spade, ready to “help” in her own chaotic way. She’s a one-dog landscaping crew, though her designs are a little more “abstract” than we might like.  
We’ve learned to embrace the chaos. It’s impossible to stay mad when she proudly sits beside her newly dug hole, covered in dirt, looking up at you with an expression that says, *“Didn’t I do a great job?”*  

The Great Walking Debate and the Dreaded Cone. 
Not every puppy loves walks, and Athena made her opinions known very early on. The leash would go on, and suddenly our energetic Husky turned into a sack of immovable fluff. Some days, she’d *refuse* to budge, her eyes fixed on us with a look that said, *“And what exactly is the point of this?”*  
But if there’s one thing that struck fear into her brave little heart, it was the dreaded orange traffic cone. The first time she saw one, her entire body stiffened, ears flat, as if she’d encountered the apex predator of her nightmares. She would skirt around it, wide-eyed and suspicious, pulling on the leash to put as much distance between her and the cone as possible. To this day, we have no idea what Athena thinks the cone *is*, but in her mind, it is clearly *evil incarnate.*  
Thankfully she now lives for her walks, they are her favourite thing ever, well apart from socks.
Walking Athena, we quickly learned, was less about exercise and more about negotiation. On some days, she would strut proudly; on others, she’d stop and sniff every blade of grass as if stalling for time. Athena does things on her terms, and when it comes to walks, she’s no pushover.  

An Unusual Palette: Carcasses and Cat Food.
Huskies are known for being picky eaters, and Athena is no exception, unless, of course, you’re talking about raw chicken carcasses or cat food. Anything else? Forget it.  
We’ve tried kibble of all varieties, carefully cooked meals, even gourmet dog treats. But Athena’s attitude toward food is simple: “If it’s not carcasses or cat food, what’s the point?” She’ll nose at her bowl, look up at you with disdain, and saunter off as if to say, “I deserve better.”
Yet, if she smells raw chicken or hears a cat food being opened, Athena will be at your feet in seconds, ears perked, tail wagging, suddenly the most well-behaved dog in the world. She’s selective, yes, but she’s also a little foodie with very particular tastes.  

The Heart of Our Home.  
For all her quirks, stubbornness, and sock-stealing tendencies, Athena has brought us more love and laughter in this past year than I could have ever imagined.  
She’s gentle when it matters most,curling up beside us after a long day, pressing her soft head into our laps as if to remind us that we’re not alone. Her intelligence astounds us, her stubborn streak challenges us. She makes us laugh when we need it most and teaches us patience when ours is wearing thin.  
Every stolen sock, every dug hole, and every defiant pause on a walk has made this year unforgettable. Athena may have turned our lives upside down, but she’s also filled every corner of our home with joy.  
Looking ahead, I can only imagine the adventures still waiting for us. Athena will grow older, wiser (hopefully a little less stubborn), but I know her spirit will remain the same gentle, energetic, intelligent, and oh-so-loving.  

To Athena, On Your Gotcha Day. 
One year ago, we brought you home. We didn’t just get a dog, we got a companion, a teacher, a thief, and a best friend. You’ve taught us to embrace the chaos, to laugh at the mess, and to celebrate the simple, goofy moments that make life beautiful.  
Athena, you are more than we could have hoped for. Thank you for your love, your mischief, and your endless spirit. Thank you for being our gentle, stubborn, sock-stealing bundle of joy.  
Here’s to the year we’ve shared and the many more to come. Happy Gotcha Day, sweet girl. You are the heart of our home, and we love you more than words can say.  
Forever yours,  
Your Humans