I got in the strangest argument with a neighbor once. I knew she was afraid of dogs, although she claims she just doesn't like them. We have the world's worst mailman, and apparently one reason he smashes packages into mailboxes and abandons them in the middle of the driveway is that he's afraid of dogs. I suggested to her that perhaps the mailman had chosen the wrong line of work and she went into long rant about how someone shouldn't have to risk his life for a job.

And still exhibit physical markers for fear. Ironically, exactly like dogs.

I grant that you're an expert on dog behavior, but I don't think you can read the human heart like you think you can here.

I think the woman had wildly inappropriate behavior, but all I'm seeing from your description is that you were angered on Bartleby's behalf. That he would be perceived as a bad dog. And your behavior in going back to get the name of her company - that was invasive, retributive and passive aggressive.

Just my read, but humans are quite fallible at reading others motives.

Anyway, I don't even feel particularly judgmental on the matter. Her reaction was overblown and yours was understandable. But if you think you can presume that you know what her motives and behavior were coming from after one negative interaction on the street, then I think you're very wrong.

It's no different than diagnosing somebody over the internet after hearing about their behavior in one instance. It would be malpractice if a therapist did that.

I suggested to her that perhaps the mailman had chosen the wrong line of work and she went into long rant about how someone shouldn't have to risk his life for a job.

I actually agree that post people, delivery people and such, should be able to ply their trade without fear of being bitten or chased.

This is why I work hard to teach everyone I can get my hands on to train their dogs away from aggressive behavior. It can totally be done.

I just wish that people understood how much their own behavior can save them (much of the time) from what they fear most.

I'm seeing from your description is that you were angered on Bartleby's behalf. That he would be perceived as a bad dog. And your behavior in going back to get the name of her company - that was invasive, retributive and passive aggressive.

I can see why you would think this, but honestly, I wasn't offended on Bartleby's part at all. He was right by my side, completely calm and not even remotely 'out of line.' If he had been, I'd have been embarrassed, not offended.

What did bother me was creating a public scene over virtually nothing. If it were my company, I would want to know that my employee was making me look like that.

It's no different than diagnosing somebody over the internet after hearing about their behavior in one instance. It would be malpractice if a therapist did that.

Have you ever seen me do this David?

In the case of this postman, his fear is really overblown, since I've only seen a handful of loose dogs in this neighborhood in 20 years. The county is really aggressive about animal control.

Also, I have trouble feeling understanding about a person who pounds packages into mailboxes so tightly that I've had to put one foot on the mailbox post and pull with both hands.

Have you ever seen me do this David?

I didn't see you diagnosing her, but you ascribed motive to her behavior and I don't think you can.

Also, I have trouble feeling understanding about a person who pounds packages into mailboxes so tightly that I've had to put one foot on the mailbox post and pull with both hands.

Lordy!

Again, I really do have total compassion for people's fears. I help where ever I can...even when that means just crossing the street.

In the case of this woman this evening, if I had videotape, I'd share it.

Also, David, did you not see me cop to the passive aggression? Yeah. I did. Whether or not I should speak to the company is something else, but I should not have tried to hide that when I spoke to the woman.

There are enough bad dog owners out there anywhere that mailcarriers get a total pass on that. I wouldn't second guess their fear.

(We had a german shepherd growing up who would bark like mad at the mailman, and we always felt awful about it. Then one day my mom came home in the afternoon and saw him peering in the window making taunting gestures at the dog. Funny.)

I'm just wondering how that mailman walks around his hood? My landlady walks her dog with a stick, just in case.

Fortunately, my current mail carrier adores Bartleby. He'll even knock on the door to howdy to him on a nice day.

I know he's on a massive time clock, so I'm not sure how he can afford to stop, but I think he likes chatting about the weather and patting the pooch.