Why? Because this is the Black Hound and people need to know of its wondrous existence!
As for being stingy in magic items, I do the same. I figure if the PCs want a particular magic item they will quest for it, seek out someone who has it and buy it (if they have the money), or spend the resources and make it themselves. Some common magic items, like the atypical +1 longsword might be found in a cave on a previous adventurer or a baddie but I try to keep the uninteresting magic items out of my campaign.