Odin, Dog Hero of the Fires

by Emma Bland Smith, Carrie Salazar (Illustrations)

The true story of one dog's heroic feats during the 2017 Tubbs Fire.

One October night in 2017, when wildfire raged in Sonoma and Napa counties, the Hendel family was suddenly evacuated from their homes and farms to escape to safety and forced to leave behind their Pyrenees dog, Odin. Odin refused to leave his nightly post of guarding the family's eight young goats, despite the family's desperate attempts to lead him away. Brokenhearted, the Hendels were sure they would never see their dog again.

But when the fire calmed and the family returned home, to their shock they found Odin singed, yet safe, along with all the goats and several orphaned deer the dog had protected as well.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Dogs, Nonfiction, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published June 30, 2020

About the author

Emma Bland Smith is the award-winning author of twelve book for children. Her debut picture book was Journey: Based on the True Story of OR7, the Most Famous Wolf in the West. Many of Emma’s books include animals—wolves, dogs, pigs, even alligators! Emma is a librarian and author and lives in San Francisco with her husband, two kids, dog, and cat—but no wolf, pig, or alligator. Visit her online at emmabsmith.com and on Twitter at @emmablandsmith.

Reviews

[Cheri]

Odin, a Great Pyrenees dog, is the narrator of this story, a remarkable feat for a 1-½ year old (although I believe someone else actually typed it out for him). This story, aimed at ages 5-8 / K-3rd graders, takes place as the Tubbs Fire begins, a fire that ends up ravaging a large part of Sonoma and Napa Counties in California in 2017. It is the true story of this dog that notices the smell of smoke while watching over the eight goats during his night shift, their other Great Pyrenees, Tessa, having been relieved of her duties earlier by Odin.

”The goats drift off to sleep and I lie next to them, my nose and ears alert.

I am a working dog. I must protect my goats.”

Odin smells smoke, which makes the fur on his back stand up, and he checks on the goats. By then, the lights have gone on inside the house.

”The sky is glowing orange.”

Odin, knowing his responsibilities, refuses to join the family as they are being evacuated along with Tessa. He has to stay in order to guard the goats. The family leaves, believing that they will never see him again.

”I watch as the truck lights disappear into the darkness.”

The night passes, and they are joined by baby deer that have become separated from their mothers. Odin stands guard over them all.

The next day, when one of the owners returns he finds them all safe surrounded by the remains of what was once a house, a barn, a pump house…there is nothing left, nothing to save, but Odin has managed to keep all eight of the goats safe along with the deer that found them. And although Odin has suffered some burns to his paws, and rebuilding will have to wait, they are together, and for now, that’s all that matters.


Published: 30 Jun 2020

Many thanks for the ARC provided by West Margin Press / Ingram Publisher Services via Edelweiss

[Jim]

YES YES YES

6 star Book

Gorgeous illustrations! Rarely has anyone captured animals so well, they are alive in these pages. The writing is perfect, and we know the end - Odin is a dog hero, he doesn't die in the end.

The writing moves the story, the emotions of the animals and the people are true. The photos at the end of the real animals and story add to the book.

First 6 star book i've read in months. When this arrived yesterday had to talk my Mom into reading it, she read it twice and told me i HAD to read it. This is on my KEEP shelf.

[Peacegal]

This touching and beautifully illustrated book based upon the true story of a Great Pyrenees dog who bravely protected a small herd of goats, refusing to leave their sides during the California wildfires.

A livestock guardian dog, Odin did exactly what he was born to do--keep his farm animal charges safe from all threats and dangers. This story will touch the hearts of dog lovers of all ages and will be shared and treasured for years to come.

[Jon Nakapalau]

Wow - what an amazing and uplifting story - inspired me.

[Ariel]

The famous Mr. Roger's quote to 'look for the helpers' in a crisis perfectly applies to the real life canine hero, Odin. A 'working dog,' Odin refused to leave the goats he was watching as wildfire forced his family to leave in Sonoma. His incredible and inspiring story is expertly told by author Emma Bland Smith and beautifully illustrated by Carrie Salazar.

[Marianne]

I followed the story of Odin in my local newspaper at the time of the 2017 wildfires and it certainly raised my spirits during the month it took to finally contain the Tubbs Fire. For anyone unfamiliar with what we were up against that night, the wind mentioned in the book was hurricane force, driving the fire in a way that made it look like lava pouring over the hillsides. I've never seen fire move like that, fast, rushing forward, throwing embers hundreds of yards to start fires ahead of the wall of flame, but I saw it with my own eyes. That Odin survived is truly a miracle. That he saved his goats AND a couple of wild fawns as well is nothing short of amazing. I'm so happy Author Smith wrote his story. These are exactly the stories we need more of in our society -- stories of hope and courage.

I'll add that, despite the horrors of that fiery night, the story is told in a way that makes it appropriate for children of any age. If your child personally experienced the wildfires, though, perhaps you will want to read it first to make sure it will not be more traumatizing than uplifting.

[Cindy]

Odin was a truly remarkable, dutiful and heroic dog. I live in California and have seen the devastation of the fires so this story is especially meaningful to me. I find it amazing that even though the owner and his daughter tried to get Odin to leave with them to safety, he would not abandon the goats over which he had care. A heartwarming and inspirational story that takes place during such a damaging time.

[Kristin Mahoney]

A beautiful book about an amazing dog and his family! We loved reading this; the true story is told with such riveting detail that about halfway through my daughter was shocked when I pointed out that it was non-fiction. And kids will love the adorable labeled pics of Odin and his goat friends; highly recommend!

[Laurie Wallmark]

Kids will root for brave Odin as he works to keep a herd of goats safe from the wildfires. Will all the animals survive? You'll have to read this inspiring book to find out.

[Helen]

This is a wonderful book for people of all ages! It tells how a Great Pyrenees dog protects the goats it is guarding, at the risk of his own life!

[Danielle Hammelef]

This book is uplifting, hopeful, heartwarming, and very timely read with the fires raging even worse in 2020. Highly recommended.

[Eleanor Peterson]

As I read this story, tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn't imagine being the owner of Odin and leaving him behind, fearing he may never survive the firestorm, and having to live with that thought for the rest of my life. But, Odin refused to follow his master. He was a goat-guarding Great Pyrenee, and he wouldn't leave his charges. He became a hero. Odin is a courageous and intelligent dog that saved nine goats. This is a remarkable story of survival, hope, and love—a must-read for animal lovers.

[Jennifer]

Wow. Grab the tissues before reading. Both inspirational and sweetly told. Story about Odin, a heroic Great Pyrenees. When California wildfires were encroaching on his humans' property, he refused to leave. Instead, he stayed and saved the goats he was guarding by herding them up onto some rocks as the fires raged around them. Amazing. Appropriate for preschoolers - and adults! I'll just be researching Great Pyrenees dogs now . . .

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Alana Robinson]

Cute and short book of a dog. It is crazy. This is a true story about something that happened not that long ago.

[Martha]

Although Odin the Great Pyranees performs his rescue in northern California in 2017 during a great fire, this story is even more relevant today as fires in Calfornia continue to spring up in greater numbers, causing much more devastation throughout California in 2020. Told from the point of view of the guard dog Odin, this highly entertaining and informative story of his allegiance to his guard job of protecting the farm even while the flames destroy it, profiles his immense courage. When the fire continues to rage Odin makes the decision to save the goats by taking them to a safer destination. This will make a suspenseful read aloud, and a great introduction to a discussion on wildfires, and the changes occurring in our environment.

[Christy]

One October night in 2017, when wildfire raged in Sonoma and Napa counties, the Hendel family was suddenly evacuated from their homes and farms to escape to safety and forced to leave behind their Pyrenees dog, Odin. Odin refused to leave his nightly post of guarding the family's eight young goats, despite the family's desperate attempts to lead him away. Brokenhearted, the Hendels were sure they would never see their dog again.

But when the fire calmed and the family returned home, to their shock they found Odin singed, yet safe, along with all the goats and several orphaned deer the dog had protected as well.

[Beverly]

This is a true picture book story of the Great Pyrenees, Odin, who saved the family goats from the 2017 Tubbs fire in northern California. The family had to flee their ranch, but Odin refused to go and stayed with the goats. The illustrations do a good job of depicting Odin herding the goats onto some rocks to avoid the fire. This is a very good book for young children who love dog heroes.

[Erin]

Great hero-dog story that kids will love. Well-written nonfiction-ish story told from the perspective of a goat-herding dog who takes his job so seriously that he refused to leave his goats when wildfires tore through his family's farm.

[Robin]

A dog recues goats from a fire.
Believable.