Sad news for dog lovers is coming in today as it’s now being reported that another beloved television animal has passed away. Odin the Northern Inuit, the dog seen by millions ofGame of Thronesfans across the world when he played Bran Stark’s pet direwolf Summer in the very first episode of the hit HBO series, died this week after battling mouth cancer for the past several months. According to his owners, Odin had spent his final days with his family taking walks on the beach and dining on his favorite foods, dying at the age of ten this week when his health took a turn for the worse.
In a social media post confirming Odin’s passing, his owners state they adopted the Inuit when he was just a 7-week-old puppy, spending the next ten years with the television dog as a very important part of the family. “Odin’s passing marks the end of a decade and the end of an era as he taught our friends and family a lot of lessons about life for one dog he has more stories to tell than some people would,” they explain on Instagram. Adding that we can all “take great comfort in knowing that he is forever immortalised” onGame of Thrones, the owners also note: “It’s an incredible piece of luck to have a pet you love so well become world famous and touch so many people’s hearts.”
LongtimeGame of Thronesfans might remember when Ned Stark (Sean Bean) adopted orphaned direwolf puppies for each of his five children: Grey Wind for Robb (Richard Madden), Lady for Sansa (Sophie Turner), Nymeria for Arya (Maisie Williams), Summer for Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright), and Shaggydog for Rickon (Art Parkinson). Ned’s illegitimate son Jon Snow (Kit Harington) adopted anotherdirewolf puppy named Ghostfor himself as well. Following the appearances of the direwolves as puppies in season one, CGI would later be used to create the larger adult versions of the animals in later seasons.
Recently, we lost another famous television dog as well, asModern Family’s bulldog Stellapassed away just days after the series wrapped filming its final episode. Last year also saw the deaths of the animal actors who played the beloved pet dogs on the comedy showsBrooklyn Nine-NineandFuller House. Needless to say, it’s been a bit rough lately for dog lovers, so let’s hope our other favorite pets from television stay safe with no new casualties for a long, long time.
Following Odin’s cancer diagnosis, HBO also did their part in caring for theGame of Thronesstar by helping to raise funds to pay for his ongoing medical treatment; Odin’s family says the leftover funds after paying for the vet bill will be donated to animal charities. Though the dog was unfortunately unable to be saved, his top-notch medical treatment and the quality care from his owners went a long way in making his final days on Earth as comfortable and happy as they could possibly be for the world-famous pet.Rest in peace, sweet Odin - you were a very good boy. This news comes to us fromgot_direwolves on Instagram.
