MY PAL MAX--

The neighbors were clearing brush along a creek as my dog Max and I hiked our south trail recently. Their two dogs were romping untethered with them; one an aggressive short hair-type we have encountered before.

We managed to pass by them unnoticed and were well down the trail when I heard a ruckus behind us. I turned in time to see the nasty dog snarling rapidly toward us while Max barked several warnings, then, to my amazement launched a counterattack.

I yelled to call Max off (to no avail) while the neighbors came running through the tall weeds; realizing Max and I were under attack on our own property.

Seconds later, the attacking dog evidently realized the folly of his aggression and did a tail-between-the legs retreat while Max slid to a barking stop at the property line behind the aggressor; Max’s legs splayed and his ferocity unchallenged any longer.

We had a productive chat with the apologetic neighbors then continued our hike; Max demonstrating the jaunty air of his victory which came in complete defiance of his aging (in doggy years) 70 year old body.

I felt like a proud father seeing his young son thump the neighborhood bully.