Words Fail

My neighbors continue to take their three dogs out into their front yard without a leash. Our little town though has a leash law, and most of the neighbors abide by it. I wouldn't be so annoyed if I didn't walk by this particular house at the same time every morning for my daily walk--7:30 to 8:30. In my old neighborhood I was bitten by a boxer once while walking and have been somewhat dog shy when large animals start barking and chasing me. These dogs include two golden retrievers and, yes, one very big boxer. For the first couple of times that the dogs displayed antisocial behavior, I was polite and did not complain. The third time, however, I asked the owner if he would please keep the dogs on a leash. He did not respond and simply took them inside the house only to let them out again once I was a half-block away. What's a person to do? It was obvious that words were failing me.

In recent days, I have tried non-verbal communication to let the owners know of my annoyance when the dogs are out. I have tried displaying certain signs--like counting from one to five fingers as each incident occurs. When I displayed two fingers, the owners returned a peace sign to me as well. When I was up to five, they gave me a full-fingered wave back. I have not chosen to use any obscene gestures. I gave up--at least until this morning. As I approached the house from a block away, the owners--sipping their coffee with the dogs on the porch and in the yard--noticed my arrival. They quietly went inside the house with three dogs at their heels. When I passed the house, I gave them a thumbs up and a big smile. I hope they were watching.