Strange dog of Meriden

There's a legend of a mysterious black dog in the Hanging Hills of  Meriden, Connecticut, which is silent and leaves no trace. This dog is described as having black fur, and also various stories of its size and breed. Often claimed to utter no sound even if it looks as if its barking and howling. The dog leaves no pawprints even in snow, mud and rain. There's a customary superstition about this dog, that if you see it once, it means joy, but see it again for a second time will mean sadness, but if seen for a third time, it means death.

Seen around the countryside and hills, this dog has a phantom like presence. There's a local legend of a man named Pynchon who was a geologist, who visited the area of Meriden. He took a professional interest in the mountain of West peak, so he trekked to it. He noticed that he was being followed by a black dog. He made sure to keep away from it, but saw that the dog was always appearing in view and then it vanished into trees. Another time he visited the place and saw the black dog for a second time, while he was among companions. One of his friends had told him he'd seen this dog and later that same person suffered a tragic accident. Years later, Pynchon returned to climb the mountain. He was later found deceased at the bottom of a hill. People guess that he must've encountered the black dog a third time and then died. 

West Peak is often favoured by hikers and mountaineers but many people have had fatal accidents or simply disappeared. Its best that people should take heed of local legends and fears. Even to the sceptics who dismiss Black Dog folklore, the hills are dangerous anyway. Many people associate this with the Black Dog who lives there. There is someone who took a photograph of this mysterious black dog of Meriden but is it the same dog? The link to the photo is in my link below:

Photo of Black Dog in Meriden - Cttrips Blogspot page

(Unrelated Bonus video: Ghost playing with dog in garden Link to Youtube)

She Wolf Night

Lindworm

 The Lindworm is a giant serpent dragon, wingless and without legs. It appears in both mythology and as a symbol in heraldry. According to Norse mythology, the most well known Lindworm is Jorumungandr the World Serpent. While associated with gigantic snakes, the Lindworm is a huge sea serpent or probably described as a sea dragon. The word itself "Lindworm" is from two Old High German words, "lint" and "orm", Old Danish word "lithi", Old English "lithe", all of which means flexible, slithery and pliant. Snakes are lithe, as well as graceful and supple. 

It was once believed that the lindworm was lucky and created extra fortunes. The figure of a serpent eating its own tail is a lindworm, a self destructive type that can't be positive. While some stories about lindworms talk of a dangerous creature that eats people, other stories show a benign lindworm that could've been transformed. 

In Sweden, the lindworm is also described as "mane snake" as it has hair on its head like a human or a horse. It's venomous and ejects blinding fluid. They live deep in the forests, under rocks and hidden from sight. If located, it can strike. Lindworm eggs are found under tila cordata small-leaf lime trees (linden trees). Other well known Lindworms includes Nidhogg and Ofnir, who both bite the roots of Yggdrasil, the World Tree. Also Fafnir, who was a dwarf and became a lindworm after being turned into one. Grabak or "the grey back" appears on a stanza. Graffvoludr the "grave digger".  

To discover more about Lindworms, visit the Lindworm page at Cryptid Wiki.

Also check The Poetic Edda study guide at Germanicmythology.com. 

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La Mala hora

 

La Mala hora is a sinister entity that comes from folklore in southern states of America such as New Mexico, which is believed to scare kids. The name means "The Evil One" and can also be La Malora and La Malorga. 

A frightening, nocturnal entity that wanders around countryside at night harassing people who are unfortunate to be there. La Mala hora has been described as a shadow figure in female form, sometimes a dark orb, a slender black shape or a woman in dark clothing. When she takes on human form, it's said to be a bad sign as she can turn violent. Her eyes are red and she has sharp teeth.

It's believed that anyone who sees her will be driven mad. She can hypnotise people and even paralyse them. She's said to cause pain and inflict breathing problems. While some believe that she's a type of demon, others say that she's a nature spirit and commands wind. 

This demon woman has also been associated with crossroads. She's caused road accidents, and was linked to a scary urban legend of a motorist who almost died because of her. La Mala hora has been said to chase alongside speeding cars, and grow to a large size. Meeting her is a bad omen.

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Wildlife picture of the month

Each month since September 2022 I've been doing "Wildlife picture of the month" posts, and I plan to do this for a whole year. This month I shall be discussing a very important large wild animal in the British countryside, and these are wild horses. 

They can be found mainly nature reserves, grazing and in many herds. They wallow in the muddy waters and drink from the fresh streams. They like rough course grass including herbs. Their feeding habits nourishes the landscape and creates soil for much more wild flowers and creatures. They mostly live in woodlands, hills and fields. From New Forest ponies in south England to the Eriskay ponies of Scotland, wild horses can also be found in Camargue, Shetland, Exmoor, Iceland, Konok and the Dülmen Reserve. 

While these horses or ponies are seen roaming across the countryside, they're not really feral either because there are official bodies of people who look after them. Around nature reserves such as the New Forest are the verderers, Agisters and New Forest Commoners. These people have been organised to care and study these horses and they were established many centuries ago. They ensure that the horses are safe and healthy, tending to any during accidents, illness or ailments. Without these ponies and their grazing, the woodlands would turn into swamps. It's very unwise for members of the public to feed the horses. If they do then they'll get a fine and a criminal record, plus a nasty kick. 

So if you visit these places, be kind, respect nature and animals.

She Wolf Night