We know I am a tad crazy. Along that train of thought, today’s Featured Dog is a pair of GOATS! I suppose that since Rocky Mountain Goats are not goats at all, but are instead bovines, it makes sense that a pair of goats could substitute for a dog, at least for a Thursday!

Why am I talking about goats? Because Thor’s chariot was pulled by a pair of goats! Why am I blogging about goats under the “Featured Dog” blog? Well, why not? Are any Norse Gods associated with particular dog breeds? The answer is “no,” but the answer contains some great surprises! The one of greatest interest to me has to do with who/what is to have pulled Thor’s chariot.

In Norse mythology, Thor, the god of thunder, is not specifically associated with any dog, mythical or otherwise. Thor is more commonly linked with his chariot pulled by two goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr. These goats were magical and had the ability to be eaten and then resurrected the next day, provided their bones were left intact.

Dogs do appear in Norse mythology, but they are usually associated with other figures. For example, Garmr is a blood-stained guard dog that guards Hel’s gate,and Freyja, the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, is often associated with cats rather than dogs.

Overall, while dogs do appear in Norse myths, there isn’t a direct or notable connection between them and the god Thor.

May the wind be over your port bow and may your sunscreen be thick.

Leonard Frieling
  • Senior Counsel Emeritus to the Boulder Law firm Dolan + Zimmerman LLP : (720)-610-0951
  • Former Judge
  • Photographer of the Year, AboutBoulder 2023
  • First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
  • Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
  • Twice chair Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association Criminal Law Section
  • NORML Distinguished Counsel Circle
  • Life Member, NORML Legal Committee
  • Life Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
  • Board Member Emeritus, Colorado NORML
  • Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
  • Media work, including episodes of Fox’s Power of Attorney, well in excess of many hundreds media interviews, appearances, articles, and podcasts, including co-hosting Time For Hemp for two years.
  • Board member, Author, and Editor for Criminal Law Articles for the Colorado Lawyer, primary publication of the Colorado Bar Assoc. 7 Years, in addition to having 2 Colorado Lawyer cover photos, and numerous articles for the Colorado Lawyer monthly publication.
  • LEAP Speaker, multi-published author, University lectures Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels.
  • http://www.Lfrieling.com
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