Hamdü Sena Bilgin is an 11-year-old Turkish girl from a small region.

Hamdü Sena and her family depend on goat milk as their main source of income. She works as a ‘goatherd,’ looking after and directing the goats. She always has her dog Tomi by her side, even in the middle of winter, to lend a helping hand.

One of Hamdü Sena’s goats gave birth one day as she and her loyal dog were caring to them on a cold mountainside distant from their home. The young goatherd was concerned that the goat and her soon-to-arrive offspring would be unable to return on their own.

‘I guided the remainder of the herd back to their shelter after the goat gave birth,’ Hamdü Sena told The Dodo. ‘Then I went back to the goat and her baby with Tomi, grabbing two bags from the home.’ However, the bags would be carrying something far more significant than books and school materials on this special day.

Tomi carried them to safety by putting the mother goat into Hamdü Sena’s backpack and the child into other. Hamdü Sena stated, ‘He’s a good dog.’ ‘Wonderful.’ They worked together to overcome the difficulties, snow-covered mountain and safely bring the new family to their safe place.

‘I was tired since the snow was so heavy and deep,’ Hamdü added. ‘However, it was well worth it.’ She was joined by her brother, who was capturing the rescue with a photo camera as it happened, just a few miles from the finish line.

Hamdü Sena and Tomi were able to keep the mother goat and her child safe thanks to their commitment to the animals they care for. While the courageous 11-year-old may believe it is her responsibility to defend the herd, her story has gone global, and she has gotten a flood of support from the internet community.

Hamdü Sena has been recognized for demonstrating what it means to care for animals.