Dear Abby: There are a large number of dog owners who frequent the same walking trails I do. On several occasions, I have encountered off-leash dogs running ahead of their owners. Sometimes the owner isn’t even in sight.
Dogs have jumped up on me, almost knocking me to the ground. I’m in my late 60s, under 5 feet and weigh 105 pounds. I could easily be injured. I was once bitten.
My question is this: What’s the best thing to say to these dog owners? The last time it happened, the owner happily said to her dog, “I know you’re excited, but ...” The rest I couldn’t hear because she had already passed me. She saw her dog jump up on me and never even acknowledged me. I don’t want to respond angrily or sarcastically, but in a friendly yet firm manner. — Walker In Washington
Dear Walker: You are far too nice. Carry pepper spray or bear spray when you walk on the trail. If an off-leash dog starts to jump on you, use it. When the owner shows up, say their dog charged you and take their picture. If they give you any trouble, file a police report. When you were bitten, you should have involved the authorities and your attorney.
Dear Abby: I’ve been married 33 years. A year ago, my husband started wearing girls’ frilly socks and pink nail polish. He thinks it is great. When we go out, he has to show off his nails to everyone. It’s embarrassing. I hate going anywhere with him now, and he’s mad at me for it. — Mortified In Texas
Dear Mortified: Some performers in the music business wear nail polish, and no one thinks twice about it. (The frilly socks, I’m not so sure.) Could this be your husband’s bid for attention, or a way of announcing that he has a proclivity for cross-dressing? If it’s the latter, please understand that it doesn’t make him any different than the person you have known for the last 33 years.
If you haven’t already talked with him, do it now. On a scale of one to 10, this problem isn’t world-ending. But, such a sudden change in behavior is worth exploring.
Dear Abby: I met a Realtor when I sold my house. He represented the buyer. After the sale, he represented me in a rental property. Then he said he wanted to partner with me in purchasing properties. We also formed what I thought was a relationship. After he borrowed $750 from me and didn’t repay it, and I refused to loan him any more, he ghosted me. Should I take him to small-claims court or chalk it up to a lesson learned? — Still Waiting In New Jersey
Dear Still Waiting: If you have proof that you loaned the Realtor money that he failed to repay, feel free to take him to court. Then report him to the ethics committee of the state real estate board.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069 or visit
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