ODIN*

It was October 2017 when the California wildfires raged and Odin, an 11 month old Great Pyrenees refused to leave his goat herd. Named after a revered Norse god, he more than lived up to his mythical moniker when his heroic nature took over during the devastating fires. Over 90,000 people were forced to evacuate, 8,900 buildings and 245,000 acres were destroyed. With the fires advancing at a rate of a football field every three seconds, Odin’s family, Roland and Ariel Hendel, had precious little time to pack their car with their animals. They managed to load Tessa, Odin’s sister, in the car but Odie sat and refused to move. He gave a look of “I’ve got this,” and Roland knew there was no way he could get him to leave his goats. They drove away, devastated, believing they were forced to leave their beloved animals to a horrific and agonising death, not knowing if they would see their home, Odin or their livestock again. When they returned the next day, their property had been completely destroyed but in the distance they could make out the little black, brown, and white dots of the goats and baby deer that had joined them for safety. Then they saw Odin; the steadfast pup’s fur was singed, his whiskers melted and he had a limp but his tail was still wagging. In disbelief, they sobbed tears of joy.

​"What I think is Odin herded the goats into the middle of the pasture where there are a bunch of large rocks and kept them there. That's what saved them, I think" says Roland.

In March 2021, Odin passed away suddenly from what was thought to be a brain aneurysm. Avalon Woods lost their heroic and beloved guardian they had rescued as a puppy. Tessa and her family will always grieve at Odin’s untimely loss. Years later and the goats he saved still sleep on his resting place. Roland and Ariel only have rescue animals at Avalon Woods, now rebuilt, and that’s the way it will always be. Tessa is now retired and her job taken over by two new rescues given in Odin’s memory. Buddy and Snowflake’s personalities and their bond as a working team reminded the family of how Odin and Tessa were together.

Odin stayed his post and his courage, determination and heroism is an inspiration to us all.