The dog that gained international fame by guarding a penguin colony on an island off Victoria's south-west coast has died, and there are plans afoot to erect a statue in her honour.
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Oddball the fluffy, snow-white Maremma dog died last week at the age of 15 – or 105 in dog years.
Oddball's pioneering role as a guardian of the little penguins on Warrnambool's Middle Island was portrayed in the movie Oddball.
Her owner, Allan "Swampy" Marsh, said Oddball, who was female and not male as portrayed in the move, died on his Dennington farm where she had lived for the past three years.
He said she had had a heart condition for the past three to four years which slowed her down.
Mr Marsh said Oddball was chosen for the ground-breaking role because she was an easy-going dog.
There had been concerns that the protective Maremmas might attack people as well as predators.
But while she was good with humans, Mr Marsh said Oddball was a hard worker at night, scaring off foxes and other predators that had almost wiped out Middle Island's penguin population.
Oddball's pioneering role in protecting Middle Island's penguin colony was a "cameo" role.
She only stayed on the island for three weeks before she got too lonely and swam back to shore.
However her short stint was enough to prove to the doubters that Mr Marsh's unorthodox idea that Maremma dogs would protect penguins was worth pursuing.
Pairs of dogs were later placed on the island to give them a more enjoyable time and discourage them from fleeing to the mainland in search of company.
Mr Marsh said that after her crusading role, Oddball went to his poultry farm at Purnim where she guarded chickens before returning to Dennington for her final years.
Warrnambool mayor Kylie Gaston believes a statue of Oddball opposite Middle Island would be a fitting tribute.
"I'm aware there are quite a few people who think it would be a good idea to have some sort of sculpture, perhaps across from the island and perhaps this is the impetus for that," Cr Gaston said.
"We are indebted to Oddball," Cr Gaston said.
"I think we need to acknowledge her for the work he did in turning our penguin population around.
"Our thoughts are with Swampy Marsh as well. Oddball was his loyal dog for many years."
Actor Shane Jacobson, who starred in the movie, expressed his sadness at hearing the news.
"The film Oddball was a great Australian story, but the applause truly belongs to that wonderful dog Oddball," Mr Jacobson said.
"The animal kingdom has lost one of its gentle bodyguards. RIP Oddball."
Jacobson went on to buy his own Maremma after filming Oddball.
Richard Keddie, the producer of Oddball, said the news was incredibly sad.
"She and Swampy are heroes," he said.
"Oddball is such an inspiration for what's possible.
"Oddball sort of changed the world a little bit."
