Paranormal

» jcredmond - Old Shuck

I don't have a book with stories but I can certainly point you in the direction of some Web sites with more information.

The Paranormal Database lists more than 200 encounters with black dogs.

Norfolk Myth provides an overview of this phenomenon.

You might also want to visit Mysterious Britain for more stories.

I don't know that there is a regional difference; these encounters can be either positive or negative, you are right, but there doesn't seen to be much rhyme or reason as to which way it will turn out.

I think that we, as humans, like things to make sense, to add up if you will. We look for patterns in events that make up our lives. If you have heard or believe that seeing a black dog is a sign of trouble/evil/death, the next bad thing that happens in your life will be attributed to seeing the black dog. But we all have difficult times or tragic events in our own lives and in the lives of those who we care about. That doesn't change whether we see a black dog or not.

Having said that, the stories where a traveller is escorted by a phantom dog are somehow comforting. We would all like to think that someone, somewhere is watching our back if we are in a potentially dangerous situation (in this case, travelling on a lonely stretch of road at night).

Jodee

-- posted by jcredmond