DEAR ABBY: Please remind readers to keep their dogs on a leash for their pets’ protection and the protection of those around them. In my community, leash laws are rarely enforced. It’s common to see dogs running loose in city parks. The result is an increase in dogfights and unwelcome contact with people. Coyote attacks are also common here, and small dogs are often the victims. If other dog owners kept their dogs leashed, I wouldn’t have to worry about dogs bounding up to mine and the ensuing fight that follows when my dogs interpret that behavior as a threat. Just because you think your dog is friendly, doesn’t mean all the other dogs are. If people would keep their dogs leashed, it would avert a myriad of problems for dogs and their owners. – MARGE IN PHOENIX
DEAR MARGE: Unless dog owners are in a designated area where their animals can run loose, their pets should be leashed. Off-leash dog parks (and beaches) provide a place for pets to exercise and socialize while also encouraging compliance with leash and “scoop” laws.
Coyotes are intelligent and highly adaptable. While they mostly hunt at night, they have also been known to “grab a snack” during the day if they are hungry. It has happened in an instant in front of the owner.
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DEAR ABBY: I’m moving in a few weeks and have asked my girlfriend of two years to move in with me. She’s considering it, but I suspect she’s unsure about it because I am pretty messy at times – underwear tossed on the floor, plates piling up in the kitchen every other day, etc.