Thylacines From A German Illustration Of Marsupials From 1890.

Gef the Talking Mongoose said a number of notable things in his time living at the home of the Irvings on the Isle of Man. He could speak a number of different languages according to those he spoke to, including but not limited to Welsh, Spanish, and Russian. However, even though he could speak more than English, he once claimed that the Irvings were the ones that had taught him to speak: “For years, I understood all that people said, but I could not speak until you taught me”. 

Them :(

Let’s say you’re being chased by a demon. Your first instinct is to run to a church because evil beings can’t step foot on holy ground, right? Well, that rule doesn’t apply to hellhounds. These black canines have been spotted across the world, and while some think they’re Satan’s attack dogs, others say they’re the devil incarnate. And despite their hellish nature, churches offer no sanctuary.

The most infamous hellhound attack took place on Sunday, August 4, 1577 in Suffolk, England. As the citizens of Bungay prayed inside St. Mary’s Church, a thunderstorm rocked the countryside. Hail pelted the church, and lightning flashed outside its walls, when suddenly a giant dog appeared. The canine leaped into the congregation and began ripping out throats. Just the heat emanating from the beast vaporized anyone who got too close. Some even say it used its front paws to strangle worshipers. By the time it was done, the hellhound had killed three churchgoers, but the night was still young! The black dog ran towards Blythburgh Church where it continued its carnage, claiming more souls before disappearing into the night.

So did a hellhound really attack Bungay and Blythburgh? Records show there was a thunderstorm on August 4, 1577, and that St. Mary’s steeple was struck by lightning. Further, the Churchwarden’s records indicate that two men died in the belfry that night. So was it a natural occurrence? Perhaps. But an old verse claims, “All down the church in the midst of fire, the hellish monster flew. And, passing onward to the quire, he many people slew.” And if you visit Blythburgh, you can still see where the hellhound supposedly scorched the church door.

Black Dogs -

An English ghost, a black dog can be seen as an omen of death and bad luck. They are often described as monstrously large with eyes of flaming red or green, appearing to those who are doomed to die. It is possible for them to have other demeanours though, some black dogs are benevolent and choose to watch over humans, even going as far as to walk women home at night and watch over children while they play. In some stories they are not so friendly, attacking and killing humans where they find them.

A notorious black dog from Suffolk was Black Shuck. This dog burst into a church during a service and killed a man and a boy who were attending church. The claw marks from the dog’s attack can be still seen in the church to this day.

Dartmoor is said to be home to many ghostly black dogs. They inspired the novel The Hound of the Baskervilles after Sir Arthur Conan Doyle spend some time there. The story of the hounds of Dartmoor tells of a huntsman who sold his soul to the devil. When he died he became a ghost that rides through the moors with a pack of black dogs running alongside him. 

Here’s a nice thylacine photograph I personally hadn’t seen before. From Eric Guiler’s book “Tasmanian Tiger: A Lesson to be Learnt.”

Photo caption in the book states that it’s a male at the Beaumaris Zoo.

The English band Faustus created this beautiful song based around the legend of the Gurt Dog of Somerset. It was featured on their October 2016 album Death and Other Animals. The song highlights the protective nature of the Gurt Dog and tells a tale of a child that wandered at night only to be ushered home by a large, gentle canine friend. 

Soundly dream, Sweetly dream, Close your ears and pray. Gurt Dog howls, On the prowl, For children who’ve run away. 

A muzzle pushed into my palm, Velvet it was and warm. The hills were kind, the moor was small, I’d soon be safely home. 

He galloped me up to my door, I stretched to kiss his nose. Then climbed back into my fleece-lined bed, Dry down to my clothes.

The Black Dogs of England are said to be violent predictors of death and doom, but that is not always the case. The Gurt Dog (“Great Dog”) is said to wander around Quantock Hills in Somerset, England, and it is different compared to its fellows. The Gurt Dog is said to be a kind and gentle protector of those that wander the moors. It is specifically a protector to small children and legend says that the Gurt Dog watches over children that play alone and will even help guide lonely travelers. 

84 years ago today the last known thylacine died. It died of exposure after being locked outside in its bare concrete pen overnight. 

(The body was reportedly thrown out in the garbage shortly after)

Grim in a broken graveyard.

This alien big cat was caught on CCTV in the streets of Birmingham, England. The video was captured in May of 2018 and shocked residents when it was made public. The security footage was at the home of Dawn Paige. The animal in the video shows an animal over 3 feet at the shoulders with a long tail. The footage was sent to the Dudley Zoo and experts claimed they could not ID the animal.