This morning, when I was walking the park, around 6:10 a.m., a large dog ran, with conviction, right at me. He was not on a leash, and because I was listening to music, I did not see him until he was almost on me. I pulled my earphones out and tried to think how to defend myself. I started yelling and out of nowhere, I heard, ''He won't hurt you. Don't run, he won't hurt you. He just wants to play.''

After several minutes of heated exchange about the leash laws, the owner of this animal informed me that his dog is friendlier and generally happier if he is allowed to run some each day. I fail to see how this is my problem, and how disrupting a serene beginning to my day is appropriate. He should take this animal and move to a farm if he feels that his ''friendly'' dog needs to run to stay happy.

As we parted company, he threw a ball to his pet and the dog gleefully ran off to crap and chase other humans.

All dogs owners who do not observe the leash laws, or who attempt to get away with letting their dogs run, have my undying disdain. I don't care if you claim to pick up their poop, I still now and then step in crap. I don't care if your dog is friendly and ''just wants to play.'' I have my own agenda when I go to the park, and I have every right to expect some time without fending off your ''friendly'' pet.

Fed up

By Fed up East Wash Park Resident

Yes, and YOU'RE an adult

My daughter is not all that comfortable around dogs. When this happens to her, it irritates me even more. I'm with you, Fed.

I do get tired of people who think their dogs don't threaten, crap, or bark or that others view that as playful, fertilizer, and music respectively.

Dogs are part of the American culture. Even if I move out to the sticks, I'll have the same problem. Oh, well.