Annie Haslam Artwork

did I mention I also think that people who call themselves animal lovers who hate cats are the sickest of all?

also problematic, though I don't know that I have ever met someone in that category.

good point about fear of dogs, but also dogs that aren't trained can be very problematic, while cats who aren't trained are just cats!

I learnt to just ignore them and not make eye contact when they are wound up.  Eye contact only aggravates them.  Not long after this encounter with the super friendly retriever, my wife and I were taking a walk when we heard barking and saw this really big dog (as big as a St Bernard but not that breed) barking and running towards us angrily.  I said to her, don't make a sound and don't look at it.  We stood still for a few moments and then quietly crossed the road over to the other side.  It was a calculated risk as the dog might have decided to give chase but I had a hunch that if we ignored it, it would calm down.  And so it did.  I have stuck to that thumb rule then.  No matter how wound up it is, just ignore.  If it still attacks you, it does.  Not like trying to run away from it in such a mood will help matters at all.