A very, very short leash. I don't mean this in the negative sense. Bartleby's leash is less than a foot long.

I follow the short leash school of thought too, bonny. And use a body harness rather than a collar because that controls the tugging/pulling without the choking/gasping for air things.

I haven't tried a backpack though. That's a good idea.

One of the biggest problems I have walking Jas around our neighborhood is that a lot of my neighbors have small dogs that they allow out into their front yards without benefit of leads or invisible fencing. So they come charging at Jasmine and Jas, being a happy Lab, wants to PLAY! And who do you think gets the stinkeye? The owner of the cute, eensy puppy or the owner of the big, black, 65 lb. dog? It's kind of frustrating.

Oh, ugh. I have a huge, HUGE thing with people who let their dogs wander unleashed. If they are with their dog, it's not such an issue, but if not, I get really crabby. I have worked really hard with Toto to wait for permission from me before approaching another dog. So, when a dog runs up to him, it really throws him off. It's not always about your own dog, you know? There's a reason why there are leash laws.

I've actually called animal control and/or the police on wandering dogs. I just have no patience for it. That and people who don't clean up after their dogs. No patience for that either. I have trouble with a couple of my dogless neighbors because of other people. I always clean up, and they know that now, but at first they would be really crabby if Toto even inched onto their lawn.

Oh Brenda!!! {{{Bren and Luce}}} You gave her an awesome life honey.

Yay on the new cat, Nora!

Oh, ugh. I have a huge, HUGE thing with people who let their dogs wander unleashed.

Yeah, it's not good on any number of levels. When I lived in the NC countryside, my neighbors would let their dogs wander, because we lived what they thought was a good ways away from the nearest busy road. All well and good, except the dogs formed packs, knocked each other up, and ran wild. Also, that "distant" road was a state highway, and it was less than half a mile from my home. The dogs could run there in minutes—and did. Some got injured. I felt like Artemis when they'd join me on my runs, but it still wasn't that safe for the dogs.

I met some adorable dogs there (the world's sweetest rottie, the world's dumbest Irish Setter), but I'd have rather met them while they were being walked by their people.

Yeah, since we're in a subdivision of a planned urban development, I think the prevalent mentality is "It's safe here," followed closely by "my dog is in my yard." All of which is true except for when the dog runs out of their yard and is tearing between yards and I'm forced to keep Jas at a sit while the owners chase after their dogs and try to retrieve them.

And like I said, I get the stinkeye for having the temerity to walk my dog past theirs.

Entitlement-- let me shows you it.

Barb, that sort of entitlement absolutely fills me with rage. It's phenomenally unfair to everyone around those people, and unfair to the dog who is allowed to run wild.

What also drives me nuts is when people allow their small dogs to run amok because they're small, and therefore behavior that would be unacceptable in a larger dog is downgraded to "cute."

Edit: I'm also annoyed by people who leave their dogs loose and unattended in a yard bordered only by an invisible fence. I've noticed that dogs bounded by those tend to be more threatening towards passing dogs than dogs with a physical barrier between them and the other dog. Also, people don't seem to understand that a properly motivated dog will plow through the invisible fence, or that invisible fences won't keep other things (coyotes, other dogs) out.

The bad part about holding a party is waking up the next day with a mild hangover and looking around your apartment.

I keep food until it smells, looks, or tastes weird.

I have yet to become ill via this policy.

One of the biggest divisions amongst people -- bigger than the Miracle Whip vs. Mayo divide -- is the Milk Date Controversy. When the date on the carton says "sell by Jan. 11," do you:

(1) pour it down the sink on Jan. 11?

Or

(2) on Jan. 11 (and also the days approaching it and, yes, even AFTER it), sniff the milk, possibly take a small test sip, and then if it smells and tastes fine, use the milk?

I have had violent arguments with people who nuke their milk from orbit as soon as the clocks ticks over to midnight on the date on the carton. (I'm obviously a #2 person.)

First of all, the date is "sell by," not "USE by." Which implies to me that the store isn't going to sell you something that is going to go bad the moment you get it out of the store; you probably have a week (probably less) after the "sell by" date to use the milk.

Second of all -- I am boggled by the people who won't even check their milk (via sniff or tasting it or making a little sibling taste it) before wasting it. Mostly because I'm cheap and hate to waste food.

So -- flame war. Let me have it. What are your positions on the Milk Date Controversy?

t edit I should note that I'm much more judicious if the carton truly says "Use by," rather than "sell by." Although, again, I just look at the date, check the calendar, and sniff the milk before tasting it. But I've had friends who've seen me taste milk that was 1 day past the date on the carton -- whether "sell by" or "use by," who have FLIPPED OUT. Telling me I was disgusting, going to get botulism/salmonella/whatever, etc., etc.

And if it's a week past the date on the carton -- whether "sell by" or "use by," I'm probably going to dump it. A week is my limit, even if it smells okay.

I am a #2 person wrt Milk Date. But I also disregard exp. dates on OTC drugs, per my brother the pharmacist, who told me they're generally good long past the dates printed.

What are your positions on the Milk Date Controversy?

You suck, but are still right about this.