Athena is a Welsh Foxhound with quite a story behind her, and she deserves the right home to begin the next chapter.

A few months ago, a kind local farmer got in touch to let us know about a hound she'd been spotting straying on nearby farmland for over four years, wild, wary, and impossible to get close to. Then came the discovery that changed everything: Athena had given birth to nine puppies in the farmer's barn. The farmer contacted us for help. After some incredibly patient coaxing, Athena was finally safely caught, and she and her little family were soon on their way to us. You could hardly blame her for looking relieved.

Her puppies are now finding their own homes, and it's finally Athena's turn.

The transformation since she arrived has been remarkable. She came to us thin, exhausted and frightened. Now she happily greets the people she knows, loves her time out in the field, and has really come to enjoy human company. She is still understandably cautious around strangers, but she has come such a long way.

Athena is looking for a quiet, understanding home, with patient people who appreciate that she has spent the last four or five years fending for herself, and that adjusting to home life will take time. She has never lived in a house before, so everything will be new to her. She would benefit from living with a calm, settled dog she can take her cues from, and she'd suit teenagers or adults rather than young children.

She's a big girl at around 35kg, walks well on the lead, but isn't yet comfortable in busy or built-up areas. As a hound she won't ever be safe off lead in open spaces, though she does stick close to the people she trusts, but you must be mindful of her breed.

Athena is a quiet, gentle soul who has already shown just how much she's capable of. Given the right home and a little time, we think she'll be a wonderful companion.