Athena, arrived in our care differently than the rest. In August, the day before she was supposed to be coming into the care of our rescue, being extremely underweight and pregnant, she gave birth to six puppies. Immediately, two pups were lost and, in the arms of a New Hope volunteer, another two sadly passed away. That left Athena with two surviving pups, which she cared so well for with all the energy she had in her. Since that day, Athena and her puppies had been healthy and both puppies have found their own homes … until once again, the day before she was to be put up for adoption on the website, Athena suddenly was struggling to breathe. In under ten minutes, Athena’s heroic foster family got her to the emergency room at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. The medical team determined she needed urgent, five-hour-long surgery to save her life. Her liver, stomach, part of her spleen, and her intestines were all located in her chest cavity and had even started to show adhesion to her chest cavity. Luckily, the only organ damage she had seemed to be to her liver, which is anticipated to regenerate itself. All of the organs were relocated back to her abdomen, and the hernia was closed using her diaphragm. She was given a chest tube to monitor the pressure in her chest and a bladder catheter to monitor the pressure in her abdomen. Today, Athena is being monitored while she rests and heals and we are asking all of you for your help.

Update: After 3 nights in hospital, including one emergency surgery, Athena was able to return to her foster home to continue her recovery. We could not be more thankful for her foster home’s quick reaction to her sudden change, and to the team at the Small Animal Clinic ICU/Emergency Room who took such good care of our girl. She has touched the lives of many and we are all looking forward to her being able to settle into her forever home when she has finished recuperating.

Update: Athena had her 2 week follow up and is continuing to improve. In another 2 weeks she will be going for follow up x-rays, and if everything goes to plan, she is expected to go up for adoption!

Update: Athena’s bloodwork is not quite right yet so her foster and her vet are working on the right support for her to get it back in line.

Update: We are happy to share that Athena is cleared for adoption! Please look at her bio and photos listed on our adoptable dogs page.

Final Update: Athena is being loved on in her own home. We are so grateful for everyone who was a part of her journey to wellness, she wouldn’t be where she is today without your love and support.



Please consider making a donation to our Guardians of Hope program where your donations continue to help dogs like Athena. 100 percent of all donations towards this fund goes directly to the animal’s medical expenses for major medical care.