As he stared, trying to wrap his mind around this fact, he heard a low, angry growl. Glancing up, he saw the large--uninjured--black dog slowly walk from behind the car. The hackles of its coal black fur stood up and the man could see its large, white teeth slavering foam. The black dog's eyes were burning red.
Still staring, he saw the beast seemed to change size--growing larger and larger.
At this point, the man jumped back into his car and locked the door. The dog ran up by the slamming car door, snapping. Then it stopped and let out one long, baying baying yowl just as the man started his car. As he started to pull off, the huge animal suddenly just faded away.
copyright 2012 retold by Myth Woodling
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In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Maryland and West Virginia is the Snarly Yow. This phantom dog has several nicknames including the "Vanishing Dog," "Black Dog," and "Dog Fiend."
In Maryland, it is described as roaming among the trees and roads between Frederick and Hagerstown. It has also been sighted in the wilderness areas surrounding Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.
Other drivers reported seeing a large, black dog growling with its hackles up and teeth bared. The driver would swerve to avoid the animal, which had appeared out of nowhere and then vanished just as suddenly. In some accounts, motorists hop out of the car to help the dog they just hit, only to discover the black dog has completely vanished.
Stories of the Snarly Yow go back to the 1800's. Originally, the beast chased people on horseback, in horse drawn carriages, and donkey carts on Route 40, Old National Highway. The beast was once seen by a minister from a small church in Glendale, Maryland. The Snarly Yow often appeared out the mist on South Mountain, snarling furiously and keeping pace with horses at full gallup before it vanished as suddenly as it appeared. Likewise, the beast can now as effortlessly run beside a car or truck moving at 55 mph.
The Snarly Yow may materialize in the middle of an empty road, blocking it.
Travelers on foot have also encountered the terrifying black animal. In the 1800s, many local folks did not own a horse or wagon. In the early years of automobile, motor vehicles were a luxury item and foot travel remained common.
A man on foot encountered the Snarly Yow positioned as though guarding the road to block his passing. When he tried to circle around the animal, the large, black dog began to increase in size, growing to the size of a pony. This supernatural event completely unnerved the man. He ran back the way he came and waited until daylight to return home.
A hunter who tried to shoot the Snarly Yow claimed that the bullets passed through the apparition without affecting it.
Folklore travels with people. Stories and lore are treasures people transport with them to other places. The Snarly Yow spirit does not seem to come from African folklore. I have included it though, as an example of folklore that was imported to the southern state of Maryland.
There are a number of black dog spirits in the folklore of England and Scotland, though they have different names in different regions. These phantoms are described as large, often about the size of a calf or donkey, with large, glowing, fiery red eyes. These black dogs, or black hounds, can be encountered in wilderness areas: on old roads, lonely paths, bridges, and crossroads. They frequently seem to be guardians, particularly in graveyards. They may manifest suddenly, growing in size when encountered, or vanish mysteriously. Some are reported to be malicious. They can be death portents. Black dogs have been sighted for over 400 years. If they manage to physically contact someone in an attack, they can cause paralysis, death, or savage wounds.
For example, a solitary canine spirit known as the "Black Shuck," "Old Shuck," or "the Shuck" is often described as one of the otherworldly creatures of Dark Faerie in the folklore of East Anogla, England. The Black Shuck is often described as a black dog the size of donkey with red eyes. The Black Shuck dwells in the salt marshes and at dusk patrols the lanes, river banks, and graveyards. It is considered bad luck to set eyes the Shuck.
On the other hand, the Essex Shuck in southeast England can be a benevolent spirit that will sometimes guard or guide travelers. The Essex Shuck is described as wandering around the sites of gallows and graveyards as well as roads.