If excessive itching and scratching are problems, that may simply be lack of Omega 3,6 and 9 fatty acids in your dog's diet that's making their skin and coat dry. Winter indoor heating may also be exacerbating condition. Adding simple food additives to your dog's food may be key without switching diets. Supplements like Mrs. Allen's Shed Stop, Flaxseed Oil, Pet Botanics Skin

All that being said, let me be fair to this bloodthirsty pooch - he was not only dog who was running around loose and unsupervised today. And I’ll bet my Elvis CDs that if you asked any of these dogs’ owners why they didn’t have them secured, they’d tell you one of following:

1. My dog needs some freedom, we hate to chain him up in our backyard.

2. My dog is quite gentle and poses a threat to no one.

First, if a dog needs freedom, why is it being kept in a subdivision in first place? Next, regarding “dog who is quite gentle” baloney - folks, chocolate lab I encountered was third one that growled and got fairly close to me during today’s walk. So don‘t spit in water and tell me it‘s tea, because truth is that no one likes to say that there are ugly babies, but there are lots of ‘em, and no one wants to admit that their dogs are potential menaces, but streets are full of ‘em. And that‘s me saying it level.

Folks, from here on out, here’s how it goes with me. I just bought a nice little container of pepper spray, and I’ll carry it with me whenever I take a walk in future. If a dog leaves his yard and comes out into street with me, I certainly won’t spray him/her. But if a dog leaves his yard, comes out into street, gets real close to me and starts barking threateningly, well, he/she is going to receive a snout full of pepper spray. That’s a promise.

In closing, for any of you animal rights activists that I’ve offended out there, don‘t whine one tiny bit to me. I still believe that human rights come first, and that means right to walk out on a public street that my taxes pay for without being threatened by some crazed animal. And if y’all still want to protest what I’ve said here today, email me and I’ll be glad to give you a street address that y’all can go stand in front of and protest all you want...

Ed’s latest book, “Rough As A Cob,“ can be ordered by calling River City Publishing toll-free at: 877-408-7078. He’s also a popular after dinner speaker, and his column runs in a number of Southeastern publications. You can contact him via email at: ed3@ed-williams.com, or through his web site address at: www.ed-williams.com.