Perhaps a dog's howl is simply a legacy inherited from its wild ancestor. However, people still believe that a pet's mournful howl bodes ill. Over the centuries of human-dog coexistence, superstitions have evolved, some of which come true.
If a dog howls with its head up
If a dog looks at the moon and howls mournfully, the weather will change. But when it simply raises its head and howls, it foretells a fire. In this case, the animal may already smell something burning and is rushing to inform its owner. Ignoring your pet's howling isn't a good idea; it's best to check all electrical appliances, outlets, and the gas stove. Sometimes, a dog's drawn-out howl with its head raised warns of a neighbor's death. It's looking in the direction of the impending black disaster.
If a dog howls with its head down
A dog's crying in the yard (especially at night) can inspire superstitious thoughts in anyone. One popular belief holds that an animal looking down at its feet and howling protractedly senses the untimely death of its beloved owner. Perhaps there's little mysticism in this, and the person begins to smell peculiarly, as a dog's sense of smell is thousands of times better than ours.
There's currently no scientific evidence to support how pets sense distress. How could the scent of a person who's going to die in a car accident within half an hour change? After all, it's impossible to predict. But if a dog lies quietly whining, its head resting on its paws, it means it's feeling ill and premonition of its own death. In this case, it's appropriate to seek veterinary attention and help the unfortunate animal.
If a dog shakes its head and howls
An animal shaking its head from side to side, howling loudly, foretells the beginning of a dark period in its owner's life. Losses, robberies, and fires are possible. The worst omen is considered to be when a dog darts around a sick person's bedside—it means the illness will never be overcome.
How to ward off the effects of a sign
In the old days, people trusted the instincts of our smaller brothers and sisters, and devised many ways to ward off potential trouble. The most heartless would take the dog far beyond the river and abandon it to its fate. More humane methods can be used to ward off this omen:
- If your own dog howls, go out onto the porch and recite this spell three times: "May trouble come, not through these gates! The dog barks, the wind carries it away, I speak truly!" and then you can rest assured – nothing bad will happen.
- If a strange dog comes into your yard and howls, throw it a treat over the gate or fence, and it will leave along with the bad omen.
- If a dog starts howling while standing on the threshold, be sure to bring it inside or take it outside. According to ancient belief, the threshold is a portal between the spirit and the waking world (the world of the living and the dead).
- If a strange dog follows you and howls, give the beggar some alms and go about your business, but take a detour home. It's advisable to cross three bridges and an intersection, as if to ward off misfortune.
- If your dog is howling at the door, splash a bucket of clean water on the threshold.
- If your dog has cowered in its kennel and is howling, read prayers while walking around the house three times with a church candle.
In the modern world, there's no room left for ancient superstitions, but there's no point in denying the existence of paranormal phenomena, as many cases remain unexplained by official science. Nevertheless, first and foremost, pay attention to your pet to understand the reason for their crying, and if they're completely healthy, try to avert any potential trouble using one of the methods described.
