The Animal “Dog” is Domestic Dog. (Wild Dogs are distant Cousins to Dog, while Wolf, Coyote, and Jackal are Dog’s Siblings.) According to the fossil record, Dog’s ancestor is Grey Wolf. Like Grey Wolf, She marks her territory with scent, and defends it fiercely. Also, She buries her bones like a Wolf burying food.
Dog has enjoyed one of the longest associations with people. Around the world, people told stories about Dog. Europeans thought that if a stray Dog honors you by coming home with you, you would have good luck. Since they thought Dogs were loyal, courageous, and vigilant, Celtic warriors considered it an honor to be compared to Dogs, In Ancient Greece, Homer wrote of Argus who waited for Ulysses, his master, to return from the Trojan Wars. Across the ocean, the Abenaki people of Maine spoke of crossing the Abyss into the Land of the Dead on the backs of their Dogs. Meanwhile in Persia, stray Dogs were considered to be holy.
However, people also told stories about Dog’s dark side. Europeans spoke in whispers of the “Wild Hunt”. This supernatural Pack of Hounds flew through the air in pursuit of their quarry. To witness the Wild Hunt was a frightening experience.
To many people, the most frightening Dog of all was Black Dog. In England, Black Dog was a sign of death. Muslims believed that Black Dog was a Jinn (Devil), and Christians saw It as the Devil on the prowl for souls.
As there are two sides to everything, so there are two sides to Dog as well. The good side is service, companionship, and loyalty. The dark side is Dog’s association with death and the Underworld. Black Dog was feared while Domestic Greyhound protected people from the Evil Eye. Dog teaches people to look at both sides before judging.
Important Dog Teaching: Challenge of Loyalty
“The Hound is a fierce challenger with its loyalty given totally to that which it guards. The Hound challenges you to be trustworthy, loyal, and faithful before it will accept you as companion.” Copyright: “Beasts of Albion”, Miranda Gray.
Important Dog Teaching: Service
“Dog teaches us to honour the trust placed in us by others. To be of service to those we love is the greatest gift we can give them.” Copyright: Rabbit’s Warren of Wisdom.
Purchase books on dogs at Amazon.com
For more information on dogs, go to Surfnetkids: Dogs and Puppies
Pictures of "Dog on Beach" and "Bingo" copyrighted by Mary Ann Sterling
Va. Carper