Game of Thrones: Odin, who played Bran Stark’s direwolf in first episode, dies aged 10

Odin, an Inuit dog who played Summer the direwolf in the first-ever episode of Game of Thrones, has died aged 10.

Odin’s owners announced the news on social media this week, revealing they got him as a seven-week-old puppy, and that he had been a beloved member of their family for the past decade.

According to Odin’s family, his death came after he was diagnosed with cancer. The team behind Game of Thrones reportedly rallied behind Odin after his diagnosis and helped to raise funds for special treatment in Dublin.

“Our family are at immense heartbreak to announce that Odin passed away early this morning,” a statement posted to the ‘Got Direwolves’ Facebook page read. “It’s difficult to put into words how this has impacted us as a family for Odin [who led] a life like no other dog. Odin was a family member first and we got him when he was a pup at 7 weeks old all we wanted were big dogs to take hiking and to sleep at our feet in the evening beside the fire, everything after that was a bonus. Odins [sic] 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.”

Odin appeared in the first episode of the HBO fantasy series as one of the six direwolf pups taken in by the Stark family. Odin played the youngest version of Summer, the direwolf who belonged to Bran Stark.

“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,” the family said. “He was always fond of the beach and his favourite treats which he had almost everyday before his passing.

“He was met with further illness as the week continued and the vets did everything they could to keep him going but he passed away in his sleep. We can all take great comfort in knowing that he is forever immortalized in the great TV Show Game of Thrones as Summer, Bran Starks’ Direwolf Pup in Season 1 episode 1.”

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