Going back to Teresa's comment (#3) I think the dog walker was raising an issue. Sorry, I suspect there is more to this story. Where I live the law explicitly states a dog must be on a leash/lead when not on your own property. There are enclosed dog parks for large and small dogs to mingle and run free. I walk my son's dog frequently. He has no interest in mingling with other dogs, but, does show too much interest in raccoons and squirrels. If your dog is not on a leash you basically cannot control what may happen. One of my former co-workers had a dog that was very territorial and killed any dog that came onto its property. It was trained to not go off its property, which did nothing for any dog wandering in innocently. What would you have been able to do if your dog had gone up to his dogs and unintentionally provoke an aggressive response. Basically, nothing.

To me, Teresa, your words may have elicited a threatening response which was out of proportion to the situation. Because you did not state it, so I don't know if his retort was about sexual identity issues or your attitude.

Last year a family pit bull race out into a street right in front of my car. No chance at all to brake. Dead dog. And, the owner is responsible under the law for any damage to my car of which there was to some splash panels. Leashes are there for the unexpected.

As to the general subject all one has to do is ask the wives of their personal experiences. My wife has been accosted many times when she was younger. Many males think their uncouth behavior is a right. My wife yelled at a group of construction workers for accosting her with the question thrown in their faces; "How would you like it if your daughter or wife was treated in the manner you're treating women passing by?" We have had a neighbor accused on being a prostitute while waiting for her husband to pick her up outside a hair salon. Soaking wet hair and all.

Frankly, it's a tough world being a woman.