Islamic scholars tell of the time that the Governor of Medina came to the Prophet Mohammed. To meet this black dog at night is a truly bad omen, and perhaps even a portent of death.
Throughout the British Isles there are stories about Black Shuck, a huge black dog with glowing red eyes who roams the countryside and is the very embodiment of the devil. I believe that this was not because of anything Odin had done but because at some subconscious level, there is a lingering association of large black dogs with devilish acts. Yet when I was walking him through the city, some people would cross the street to distance themselves from him, while others would step into storefronts to avoid him. Friendly, bouncy, and sociable were the best descriptions one could use for him. His coat was a shimmering black, with no white on any place on his body. I once had a wonderful Flat-Coated Retriever named Odin. But there is a long tradition that has likewise associated dogs with luck, both bad and good. In folklore, witches often take the form of black cats while carrying out their nefarious schemes against people.
I’ll bet if you asked most people “Which animal do you commonly associate with bad luck?” a frequent response you’ll get is “a cat.” Legend has it that if your path is crossed by a black cat, that is a sign of misfortune.
