George R.R. Martin has sad news for “Game of Thrones” fans and dog lovers alike. The favorite dire wolf and the pet of Jon Snow (Kit Harington), Ghost, has died this week.
The dog has died at New Mexico’s Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary, according to the 67-year-old novelist just before “Game of Thrones” Season 7 starts. He, too, shared a photo of the albino direwolf on Tuesday in remembrance of the canine.
In loving memory of the real life Ghost from the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary. He passed this week & he will be missed. R.I.P pic.twitter.com/FHGRpagEiC
— George RR Martin (@GRRMspeaking) Mayo 23, 2017
The tribute for Ghost
“In loving memory of the real life Ghost from the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary,” Martin tweeted.
He also said that the dog will surely be missed. The shelter it belonged to, on the other hand, shared a touching tribute for Ghost.
“RUN FREE, GHOST,” the lengthy message started. The asylum is deeply saddened with his passing as he is one of their beloved rescues of the Westeros Pack. Although his death makes them broken hearted, they are still thankful that he died peacefully at home.
They also added that they are now howling their “deep appreciation” to Ghost for supporting them and bravely faced the hard times that they have been through. Even though he is already gone, they are still celebrating his life knowing that his tale of being rescued helped to let the world see the wrong handling of captive wild-spirited animals.
The sanctuary also added the sad truth that the change will only occur when suffering is being seen and brought out to the open. But from this lesson, they see that people will start to stand strong together and continue to fight for the rescued canines. “Run free with the Big Pack in the Sky and howl in our hearts forever, beloved boy!” the message ended.
Ghost is part of Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary’s Westeros Pack that is composed of 10 rescued wolf-dogs. They have been called direwolves and the other ones are also seen in “Game of Thrones.” In fact, Martin and his wife Parris McBride have helped to name the pack and raised money for the dog’s safe haven.
The beloved direwolf
Meanwhile, the moment the “A Song of Ice and Fire” author shared the news on Twitter, fans of “Game of Thrones” sympathized with the death of Ghost.
They, too, hoped that this beloved canine’s character won’t be killed off in the epic fantasy series and in the books.
Ghost and Nymeria, Arya Stark’s (Maisie Williams) direwolf, are the only two out of the six canines left in the show since its first season. The dog even gets a lot famous when he joined Jon Snow stayed at the Wall. He has been his guard and companion.
He is even the most distinguishable among the other direwolves for his striking red eyes and pure white fur. And although viewers have witnessed the death of the other Starks’ canines, they strongly hope that Ghost will survive until the show comes to a close and the King of the North sits on the Iron Throne with him by his side.
