I have doggie mace, and...

Yes, it is true:  I have doggie mace, and I will use it if provoked.  I will say I am sorry.

I haven't yet, but it always accompanies me on my walks.  Like a gun slinger, I strap it to my belt ready for action at the first snarl, baring of teeth under curled lip, rush of canine flesh and threatening bark.  I know, I know, you love "doggie woggie, my baby, sweet little lover boy," and you think I am cruel.  Come on, it is specially formulated for dogs.

I planned to purchase a five shot can of regular mace that can knock a full grown man into an unconscious state for about 15 minutes, but a dog-loving friend of mine handed me two cans of Halt shortly after hearing my intentions of macing tear-ductless dogs; or maybe it was because I said I would kill the next dog that tried to bite me.  I described my intent to wrestle it to the ground and break its neck: if it is him or me, it's him.  I can't remember at what point my friend freaked out...

I meant it, too.

Don't get me wrong, I like "Precious" under controlled circumstances, but you know the old saying, "once bitten, twice shy..." http://www.funtrivia.com/askft/Question94604.html

What about "twice bitten, kill the next one?  - or mace it."  Yep, this is a "me" you didn't know existed.  I am normally mild-mannered and try to be nice to everyone,  but this really is my story.  It isn't premeditated, it's prepared.

I know what your are thinking, "My dog is all bark and no bite.  He's just a sweetie who wouldn't hurt anyone." Maybe when YOU are around that is true, but without you, your dog is, well, a dog.  In my experience, 99% of dogs, absent their owners and sometimes with, will behave in a menacing manner toward a stranger walking, running, or biking past their property.  If they are in a pack, they are even more menacing (attacked by 4 dogs about a year and a half ago while walking).

So, how does this fit in with the new me?  Well, obviously, I no longer intend to be bitten or scared out of my ever-lovin' mind while defenseless on my walks.

Why am I writing about this.?

Once again, an owner let "sweet little baby, yeah, yeah, yeah, give mommy a kiss" out in the yard this morning, unattended, probably for an innocent potty trip, and "sweet baby" turned his doberman act on me as I walked by.  With pounding heart and adrenaline laced veins, I turned on my version of "dog whisperer" and avoided unholstering my defense mechanism, but I have to ask, "Who is really at fault here?"  The dog?  Me?  Or the owner?

Do your dog and me a favor, and don't put either of us in a frightening, possibly violent situation.  Never leave him unattended and free outside:  leash or fence him.  We will both thank you.