Heroic dog 'Oddball' dies after a long life, protecting tiny penguins

Last week, a dog died. Not just any dog.

It was Oddball, the famous maremma.

Oddball was a lot of things: A penguin protector (seriously), loyal companion and the inspiration for a hit film, based on her life.

Oddball was part of a pioneering project developed by Allan 'Swampy' Marsh in order to protect the fairy penguin population of Middle Island in Australia's south-west Victoria from local foxes and other assorted predators.

She was the very first dog sent to the island as part of the Middle Island Maremma Project, and definitively proved that maremmas were capable of protecting the at-risk penguin population.

She was still a true original. A forward-thinker in a world of copycats (and dogs).

"She was 105 in dog years, so she had a pretty good innings," Marsh told the ABC. "She's had a great legacy, and she'll always be remembered as one of the most polite dogs around."

Vale Oddball. Hope you have a good time in doggie heaven and enjoy lots of bones.

Read the full article here.

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