As some others have said, fairness requires us to acknowledge that there are inconsiderate idiots of all stripes, both doggy and nondoggy, birdy and nonbirdy. I happen to be a nondoggy person, and generally that doesn't pose a problem while birding or just walking. But the dog-owners I just adore are those who allow their unleashed dog to run far out of their control, to rush at you and stand barking like mad a few feet away, looking as though at any moment it will jump you and tear out your throat. And then the owner casually strolls up and says nonchalantly, "Oh, he won't hurt you." If anyone knows an appropriate reaction to that situation, I've love to hear it. I've known of people who carry squirt-guns with ammonia water, but that seems unnecessarily cruel, and likely to have negative repercussions from both dog and owner.

Burt Guttman
The Evergreen State College
Olympia, WA 98505 guttmanb at evergreen.edu
Home: 7334 Holmes Island Road S. E., Olympia, 98503