..."They struggled and eventually got ahold of the collars of all four dogs allowing us safe passage. They didn't seem upset at all, and the owners even bid us a good day as we rode on."

Out of curiosity, did they then leash the dogs or simply let go of the collars after you had passed?

I regularly ride a multi-use path where, despite the signage, owners let their dogs off-leash, and this past weekend I was told of an electronic leash that works similarly to an electronic fence apparently. My concern with an electronic leash is that it is triggered by the owner, which presumes that the owner realizes that the dog is chasing a rabbit, or another dog, or a cyclist and that the owner isn't busily engaged in conversation or distracted by the shape of a passing cloud.

Foolish person that I am I persist in hoping that people will behave responsibly, despite all evidence to the contrary. However, I have about had enough of being told "...oh he won't hurt you...". How am I supposed to know that and why does someone think that is appropriate?

My very young grandchildren have started riding with me this year and my milk of human kindness (tolerance, understanding, or anything else) disappears when they are out there. Anything that potentially threatens them gets removed; animal, vegetable or mineral. I purposefully take them to a multi-use path for safety. As far as I'm concerned when they are with me a loose Chihuahua is a threat.

While some might deem that overreaction I would rather apologize than see a child hurt, and if the dog is loose there won't be an apology. Those who lecture on needing to understand dogs and of the need for the rest of us to be more tolerant of dogs should also be aware that there are always limits and that those limits will change based upon the situation. If you love your dog don't put them in a situation that puts them at risk by presuming that the rest of us love your pet.