General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGoat-Herding Dog Refused To Abandon Flock Amid Firestorm, Miraculously Survived
A story of survival, determination and duty out of fire-ravaged California.
"With the deadly flames of the Tubbs Fire bearing down on his property, Roland Tembo Hendel knew it was time to round up his family, dogs and cats flee."
A Great Pyrenees named Odin would not leave the goats he was in charge of and despite the family's efforts to carry him away, the dog stayed with the goat herd. Later the family returned expecting the worst, but...
...We were able to make it back to the smoldering wasteland of our forest, Hendel wrote on Facebook. Every structure is in ruins. Trees are still burning.
But suddenly, the goats appeared and raced toward the family. And there was Odin fur burned, whiskers melted, limping on his right leg. The battle injuries suffered in his desperate fight with the flames.
During the firestorm Odin not only protected his flock, he also seems to have adopted several baby deer who were huddled around him for safety.
http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2017/10/16/odin-would-not-abandon-his-flock-as-firestorm-approach/
Beringia
(4,316 posts)Response to packman (Original post)
Purveyor This message was self-deleted by its author.
Doreen
(11,686 posts)I can not remember which breed of dog but I saw a program "life after people" and one of the things that will survive is a dog and a particular herd animal they guard. The people who own these dogs have not trained them for many years. The dogs just simply teach their pups and the line continues. That is really nice that that dog and goats survived.
Dustlawyer
(10,495 posts)Both breeds she is made up of guard herd animals at night. Sophie makes periodic patrols of the property, barking at the perimeter about every 20-30 minutes. We have to keep her in the house at night to have mercy on our neighbors and get sleep ourselves. In between patrols she lays down but keeps her head up looking around. She will bolt up and take off to investigate any sound she hears such as another dog barking off in the distance.
She is smart, gentle, and loving, one of the best dogs I have ever had.
Doreen
(11,686 posts)Bettie
(16,110 posts)his name is Ronan. He has the same behaviors and is such a great dog.
The cats...well, they are less sure of him as he thinks they require herding. They disagree.
He also climbs the stairs to the slide, which is his watchtower to keep our yard squirrel free!
He was a rescue, someone didn't want to keep this beautiful boy, but he was clearly meant to be our dog, since he appeared at the shelter right after our 14 year old dog died.
Odin is a great dog and I had to smile that he also found some other strays.
Dustlawyer
(10,495 posts)in a wide open pasture in a driving rainstorm. she was covered in fleas EVERYWHERE, and her ribs stood out she was so underweight at 8 months. The owner complained that she would bark at his rescue mules/donkey which still did not explain her condition. I whispered to my mom that I was buying her no matter what just to get her out of there.
She had tape worms, hook worms, and severely malnourished. Now she is healthy and beautiful! At the moment she is letting the evening walkers/dog walkers know she guards this place in no uncertain terms as she does every evening, morning, and in-between! Lol.
Bettie
(16,110 posts)and she was clearly the dog you were meant to have.
Leith
(7,809 posts)I first heard about him in this thread.
I felt so bad about the poor little animal survivors with their feet and legs wrapped. Imagine the horror they went through!
Stonepounder
(4,033 posts)Hearing these stories help me forget about other things for a bit.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)What a brave, sweet dog! I hope Odin gets a lot of extra love and treats for his devotion and courage. He kind of looks like a Golden Retriever in that photo. Anyway, he's adorable and I glad he's going to be ok.
calimary
(81,306 posts)Wow. Impressive.
Gothmog
(145,303 posts)SCVDem
(5,103 posts)susanna
(5,231 posts)What a wonderful story...they are in short supply these days.
Thank you so much for sharing it.
trueblue2007
(17,228 posts)burrowowl
(17,641 posts)Wonderful Dog!
iluvtennis
(19,862 posts)Mediumsizedhand
(531 posts)Brother Buzz
(36,444 posts)Great Pyrenees are lousy at herding. I've been to many dog trials, and once in while, for our amusement, they start the trials with a hopeful owner with its star Great Peyenees. The dogs are pretty good keeping a flock together, and well, that's about it.
Odin was just doing what his DNA was telling him to do: Keep these fucking goats together.
MLAA
(17,298 posts)And this wonderful boy, Odin, is spectacular.
demosincebirth
(12,540 posts)Lucky Luciano
(11,257 posts)Rhiannon12866
(205,467 posts)niyad
(113,336 posts)peacebuzzard
(5,174 posts)Saved all the critters!
Botany
(70,516 posts)starting price $10,000
adigal
(7,581 posts)DOG - it spells GOD backward
NoMoreRepugs
(9,435 posts)Glamrock
(11,802 posts)I hate crying!
What a beautiful story.....
I do hate crying though, that lump in the throat seems to last forever.
Moral Compass
(1,521 posts)In the midst all this badness it was good to read and see something so positive and wonderful.
Demtexan
(1,588 posts)Stayed loyal to goats and the fawns.
bellmartin
(218 posts)Everything good, compared to everything bad.
stopwastingmymoney
(2,042 posts)The story of Odin has helped us all feel a little better. I understand he was having a shampoo and a steak dinner tonight!
(we seem to be safe now)
JDC
(10,129 posts)nuves
(1 post)This story warmed my heart. Thanks for sharing. I would vote for Odin for president; sure beats what we have now.
Rhiannon12866
(205,467 posts)Welcome to DU, nuves! We're glad to have you with us!
Stinky The Clown
(67,808 posts)bellmartin
(218 posts)...that I could think of.
I got photos of Laika, of Balto, and of Hachiko.
Odin is very definitely joining the collection.
While I'm at it, I may as well ask, do you have suggestions for dog heroes for me to add?
(Of course, Jenny and Molly our Border collies are already in the collection.)
Rhiannon12866
(205,467 posts)bellmartin
(218 posts)madokie
(51,076 posts)Man o man