Partner and dog should roam free

You have been handed an extremely clear lens through which to view this man. If you ignore what you see, your life will quite literally go to the dogs.

DEAR AMY » I have never had a dog as a pet (but I have had cats and horses).

I am uncomfortable about some things regarding my boyfriend’s German Shepherd.

Some examples: We stopped at a rest stop on the interstate and he let his dog out of the vehicle to run around loose while he used the restroom, although there is a leash law at the rest stop and a designated area for dogs.

When we were camping, he let his dog run loose without supervision, and it urinated on the mat our friends had placed in front of their motorhome.

His dog greets me by jumping on me. I feel that this behavior is too rough, especially when sometimes the dog’s toenails scratch me and break the skin.

When I try to walk, the dog stays right in front of me, touching me. My boyfriend says that the dog will move along with me as I move, but it makes me feel off-balance and I worry I will trip.

I’ve voiced my concerns to my boyfriend, but he doesn’t see a problem. He says that dogs will be dogs, and that he likes dogs better than people.

I look forward to your advice.

— Canine Questions

DEAR QUESTIONS » You say you have some experience with animals, and yet I maintain that any human being with a shred of human-sense (regardless of animal experience) would realize that a loose dog can get hit by a car, can attack another human or animal, can be taken, injured, or simply choose to leave with a better-suited and more responsible family.

Every scenario you present exemplifies a complete lack of regard for you — your comfort and your safety — as well as for the dog, which is obviously undisciplined and at risk.

You have been handed an extremely clear lens through which to view this man.

If you ignore what you see, your life will quite literally go to the dogs.

My immediate advice is that you should set both man and dog loose to wander along the interstate rest stop of life.

DEAR AMY » “Dazed and Confused” was extremely distressed by the sudden reappearance of a longago ex.

I totally identified with her. I had an ex reappear, toy with my emotions, and then abruptly leave — just as he had done years before.

What a waste.

— Burned Twice

DEAR BURNED » I assume that at this point you’re relieved he took a powder.