I was chased and bit by dogs several times as a kid, so I have something of a complex. Recently some neighbors (now gone) had two dogs. One was a huge menacing beast that would emit a low growl whenever I walked or ran past. The other was a yippy terrier that would sneak up, unseen, on the other side of the fence, and let out a burst of loud barking at some random point while I was passing, giving me a minor heart attack each time. He was like a jack-in-the-box; I never knew he was there, or whether or when he’d go off.
Now, thankfully, all of our neighborhood dogs are quiet and civilized.
Happy New Year!
-Jim