The farmer caught the moment a sheep thanked the farm dog for saving the herd the night before.

This photo was taken the next morning. The farmer didn’t realize the full extent of what had transpired until he walked the field, spotting one coyote after another lying still. He counted eight dead, and later found three more injured, limping away into the hills.

The attack came in the middle of the night. Eleven coyotes crept in from the ridge, closing in on the flock. The sheep huddled together, and standing staunchly in front of them was Goliath, the farm’s old Anatolian sheepdog.

The first coyote charged. Goliath hit back hard, sending it tumbling into the dark. Then the rest came from all sides. He fought them off repeatedly, biting, shoving, and refusing to yield an inch. His fur was torn, his body bleeding, but he never left his post.

By sunrise, the coyotes were gone. The sheep were safe. Goliath stood panting, his sides heaving, before finally lying down in the grass. That’s when the lead ewe stepped forward and pressed her head against his, wordlessly thanking the dog who saved them all.