DOG
The origin of dogs dates back to ancient times. Moreover, in ancient times, dogs reached gigantic proportions. One of the skulls of the fossil dog was one meter in size and surpassed the skull of any modern predator.
In the beginning, before dogs were domesticated, they were eaten, as in our time in some countries of Southeast Asia. Having tamed, dogs began to be used for protection, hunting, including fishing, and among some northern peoples, dogs are still pack and sled animals. Sometimes dogs were used as fighting animals, because some dog breeds were distinguished by special strength and ferocity. According to ancient authors, the Indian Shepherd Dogs were considered the largest and most fearless dogs in the world. They even fought with lions and at times overpowered them.
And in ancient Egypt, a dog, along with a cat, was a sacred animal and after death was mummified. The Egyptian god Anubis had a dog (or jackal) head and was an intermediary between the world of the living and the dead.
In ancient Greece, the dog was considered the animal of the messenger of the gods, the patron saint of travelers and the guide of the souls of the dead, Hermes.
Interestingly, the history of the dog is associated with the planet Sirius, the brightest in the constellation Canis Major. This star rose at the most unhealthy time of summer. Before the appearance of Sirius, rabies began in dogs, and it was universal in nature. This was mentioned by many ancient authors, from Hesiod to Virgil. In the book "On Animals" the Byzantine writer Timofey also noted that "before the appearance of Sirius, dogs become rabid, but recover if they are bathed."
In the Middle Ages, a dog, moreover black, acquires demonic features. In Western Europe, there are stories about big black dogs, messengers of the devil. In English folklore, there are legends about hellish headless dogs. A pack of these creepy creatures hunts not only for humans, but also for demons. These dogs were said to serve the ghost of the famous pirate Francis Drake.
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SIRIN
The wonderful bird Sirin is mentioned in Byzantine and Slavic legends. This is a bird of paradise with a beautiful and deadly voice, hearing which, a person forgets about all sorrows. But he no longer needs any joys, he no longer desires anything else and dies. In this respect, Sirin resembles the ancient Greek sirens. ABC books and popular prints draw it from head to waist as a woman, but with wings instead of hands, and below the waist - a bird. It should be noted that Sirin poses a danger only flying out of paradise, where she usually lives. In Paradise, Sirin sings to the righteous the future joy.
SKYAPODS
In ancient legends, unusual people, “people of the divia”, inhabited distant lands, such as the Indian kingdom or the kingdom of Presbyter John. The skypods had only one leg, but with such a huge foot that they could use it, lying on their backs, as an umbrella against the rain or the sun. Despite having one leg, they could move very quickly. But some authors have mention of skjapods with four legs. In this case, they could use one of their legs as an umbrella, even while walking. To maintain life, skypods needed to constantly inhale the aroma of the fruits that they always had with them.
Sleipnier
In Scandinavian mythology, the eight-legged horse of the supreme god Odin. He was born by the fire god Loki, who was in the form of a mare. Sleipnir's father was a giant stallion who helped his master build a wall around the city of the gods of Asgard. Actually, Loki turned into a mare to distract the stallion from work. Then, not wanting to have anything to do with Sleipnir, he presented the horse to Odin. Sleipnir was the fastest horse in the world and, although he did not have wings, he could rush across the sky, jumping from one cloud to another.
Yuri Belyaev