This appears to be an older ghost story from Galax, Virginia, that has been lost through the years.
The legend states that a turn in the Old Pipers Gap Turnpike, near where the road crosses the creek, is haunted by a ghostly dog.
Near the turn in the road sits a graveyard, and this patch of land seemed to be the favorite resting place for specters. Much like the Hound of Goshen in South Carolina, not many tales mention ghostly animals.

It appears that the dog would wait for a lone rider to make their way down the road during late hours of the night. As the rider passes the area, the ghost dog would jump on the horse behind the rider to hitch a ride to a point near the ford of the creek.
Once the rider and horse made it to the point, it would leap off and disappear into the night.
Written By: John G. Clark Jr.