Men ‘ marking their territory’ led to deluge of letters

however, the practice is not as unusual as you may believe. If you want to try it, I can’t stop you, but I do suggest you bring along some tissue and plan ahead for a place to dispose of it.

As to whether your letter is a first, the answer is no.

The topic arose about 20 years ago when “The Whiz-zard’s Wife” wrote me about her husband doing it after dark, and occasionally in the side yard during daylight hours. She wondered if it was a normal male ritual. I replied:

“This is not a subject that’s often discussed, but I suspect the practice is not unusual. Dogs and cats urinate to mark their territory. Your husband may be doing it for the same reason. For pets, the problem can be resolved by neutering; however, I wouldn’t recommend that for your husband. The Los Angeles Police Department informs me that it’s ‘not illegal as long as it is not in public view.”’

When people ask me what some of my favorite letters are, I tell them the correspondence generated by “The Whiz-zard’s Wife’s” letter ranks among them. Here’s an example from someone you may know:

Dear Abby: Though a frequent reader (after my wife), I’ve only now found reason to write to you, in response to the lady who feared her husband’s habit of urinating on their lawn was inappropriate. So it may be, but all men pee outdoors.

My best to you and continued good luck with your column.

Dear Charlton: Thank you for the input. Your letter is but a drop in the bucket compared to the deluge that has flooded my office since I printed that letter.