About Athena Nelson
In your lifetime, you’re lucky if you ever meet a soul animal. I was fortunate enough to have two. And though I didn’t realize at first that Athena was one of them, it became unmistakably clear once I had the privilege of loving two soul dogs.
You came into my life in the most unexpected way, and you left it just the same. I’ll never forget the winter morning when the girls in the equine vet office rushed in and said, “Hannah, there’s this white pittie on Golf Links Road. She looks like she’s had pups, and she’s eating out of trash cans.” Without hesitation, I volunteered to take you home—pups and all. I planned to foster you, save you, and find everyone good homes. My boss, Erica, drove up and down Golf Links with me for almost two weeks, hoping we’d spot you. But every day, you slipped through our fingers.
Until one morning, Erica pulled into the vet office honking, and I looked up to see a big, beautiful girl smiling in her front seat. You. The universe always intended for our paths to cross.
I brought you home, your fur tinted yellow, your spirit tired and worn. You were a hollow shell of who you were meant to be. It took time, patience, and so much love—but once you healed, you blossomed. You became the most joyful, sweet, radiant soul. I’m grateful I was the person who didn’t give up on you simply because you were a little more broken. You deserved unconditional love all the same. And even I was a broken person… but you and Bear helped complete me. You filled in the pieces I didn’t know were missing. You both made me want to be better, to do better. Loving you healed parts of me I thought were gone forever.
You were my best friend, especially in the moments when I had very few people to turn to. When friends came and went, you stayed. When I lost Bear, you sat by my side through nights that were darker than I’d ever admit. And now I have to learn how to get through losing you. I don’t know how to do that. I don’t have you curled up next to me, letting me pet your sweet face while those beautiful sandstorm-colored eyes watched every emotion I couldn’t say out loud.
My sweet baby hippo… I know Bear was waiting for you. I know he missed his girl. Car rides won’t feel the same without you two; you were the reason I loved driving so much. Especially you. My chaotic, perfect, loyal girl. You loved me even when I wasn’t very lovable. You stayed through every storm. You were my constant when everything else was changing.
I thought we had one last fight left in us… but I think you were ready to get back to your BearBear, and I don’t blame you. Now I’ll be the one waiting—for the day I get to see you both again. I love you more than you ever knew, and I hope you felt that in every moment we shared.
I hope you’re swimming your heart out up there, eating all the best treats, surrounded by toys, joy, and peace. I hope you had a platter of boujee snacks waiting for you the second you arrived—because that’s exactly what you deserved. It hasn’t even been 24 hours, and I already miss you more than I can express.
Come visit me with Bear from time to time, okay?
And for every time I said you weren’t my soul dog, I want you to know I was wrong. You and Bear were both my soul dogs. It just took me a little longer to see it with you. But I sure did love you… I always will.
We survived so many battles together—two-story window jumps, chewed doors, countless moments that tested us both. But this battle was bigger than we could win. You tried so hard. It was simply time. Time for you to go back to Bear.
My heart is shattered. You were my bestest girl. I wish I had told you more often that you were the best—not “the best worst dog,” just the best. I’m sorry for every moment I was tough on you. I’m sorry we couldn’t win this one. We did everything we could.
Go find BearBear. I know he’s been waiting for his girl.
Thank you, Bobos, for making life sweeter. Thank you for choosing me as your mama. I don’t know how I’m going to do this without you. Life feels both too quiet and too loud now—emptiness and echoes everywhere I look.
But we lived a beautiful life together, you and I. And I am endlessly grateful to have been part of your story.
I will love you always. I will miss you forever.
And I will spend a lifetime grieving my babygirl—not because her love is gone, but because it was so deep that even forever isn’t long enough to miss her.
I will look for you and Bear in every lifetime.
Rest easy, my sweet little princess.
I love you, Bobos. So, so much.
I sure am gonna miss you 😔 💔
You and Bear look after eachother okay? I love you guys more than you know.
