DOGS
Dogs have always been credited with the power of sensing supernatural influences
and seeing ghosts, spirits, faeries or deities which are invisible to human
eyes. In Wales only dogs could see the death-bringing hounds of Annwn; in
ancient Greece the dogs were aware when Hecate was at a crossroads foretelling a
death. Dogs are believed to be aware of the presence of ghosts, and their
barking, whimpering or howling is often the first warning of supernatural
occurrences.
There are many instances of black dog ghosts which are said to haunt lanes,
bridges, crossroads, footpaths and gates, particularly in Suffolk, Norfolk and
the Isle of Man. Some black dogs are said to be unquiet ghosts of wicked souls,
but others are friendly guides and protectors to travelers; the Barguest of
northern England could also appear as a pig or a goat, but most commonly a huge
black dog with large eyes and feet which left no prints. Packs of ghostly hounds
have also been recorded all over Britain, often heard howling as they pass by on
stormy nights rather then actually seen; these hounds generally foretell death,
or at least disaster; if they are seen and the proper action is to drop face-
down onto the ground to avoid spotting them.
When a dog howls in an otherwise silent night, it is said to be an omen of
death, or at least of misfortune. A howling dog outside the house of a sick
person was once thought to be an omen that they would die, especially if the dog
was driven away and returned to howl again. A dog which gives a single howl, or
three howls, and then falls silent is said to be marking a death that has just
occurred nearby.
Dogs are feared as possible carriers of rabies; sometimes even a healthy dog was
killed if it had bitten someone, because of the belief that if the dog later
developed rabies, even many years afterwards, the bitten person would also be
afflicted. Remedies for the bite of a mad dog often included the patient being
forced to eat a part of the dog in question, such as its hairs or a piece of its
cooked liver. Dogs were also used to cure other illnesses; one old charm which
was often used for children's illnesses was to take some of the patient's hairs
and feed them to a dog in-between slices of bread and butter; the ailment was
believed to transfer to the animal, healing the patient.
In Scotland, a strange dog coming to the house means a new friendship; in
England, to meet a spotted or black and white dog on your way to a business
appointment is lucky. Three white dogs seen together are considered lucky in
some areas; black dogs are generally considered unlucky, especially if they
cross a traveler's path or follow someone and refuse to be driven away.
Fishermen traditionally regard dogs as unlucky and will not take one out in a
boat, or mention the word 'dog' whilst at sea.
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