My mentor, Athena

Last Wednesday, Sharyn TG asked me in the comments who my favorite goddess was, and I have to admit, I was a bit torn in answering. You see, I know the expectation is to say Isis, but I don't necessarily want the Isis living in my house to get the wrong idea. If she actually thought I liked her for one moment, she might not be so eager to please.

I like having a dependable, mindless lackey so I won't be naming that goddess as my favorite.

After pondering the question and the current situation at my house, it seemed only fitting to name Athena as my favorite. Prior to Isis, there had been an Athena that shared my life: a large, beautiful, fluffy, black cat who was five years my senior. Was she Greek? Perhaps. Her lineage was definitely open to interpretation.

She was indeed a warrior goddess, but instead of being equipped with shield and ray, she fought with two mighty midnight paws. Oh, how I adored her! I would follow her around constantly, attempting to show her my male physique, but just like her namesake, she wanted nothing to do with me. I remember how I tried informing her that in myth, Athena had been born out of Zeus' head, and the next thing I felt was a solid whap to the skull, accompanied by, "How about you bear that instead?"

I could definitely use her around the house now, especially in training a somewhat precocious puppy. Athena was bigger than I am now and certainly knew how to use all of her body to make a point. Her signature move was known as 'cover and smother'. Let me just say that if she were rich, creamy, white gravy, and I were some measly hash browns, she'd drown me in her countrified goodness.

The poop monster should thank his lucky stars that Athena is now reduced to being my spirit guide. Always hunting, always prowling, she remains near, whispering into my ear how best to sabotage little Boston Terriers. Athena always enjoyed fighting - not to draw blood, maim, or kill - but merely for the sport of it. In that way, I have grown to be much like her.

I do hope she is proud. Hopefully though, she hasn't found out about how I took over her sitting spots in the house. (Yes, I was not always the one in power around here. It's hard to believe, I know.) I'm sure she's feverishly waiting to get her paws on me to show me who's the real boss.