I love dogs.

Actually, I hate dogs. I said I love dogs so that you don’t hate me.

OK, here’s the truth: I’m neutral on dogs. Take ‘em or leave ‘em.

If you have a dog, I’ll acknowledge it with some cursory petting. Just don’t insist that we play fetch or lick each other.

The other day, I knocked on a front door. A human answered. So far, so good.

Then a dog the size of a Smart Car stood on its hind legs and lurched onto me for a full frontal assault.

His paws scratched my face and forearms. The owner looked on indulgently and said, “Oh, he likes you.”

I care about what people think of me. But I don’t think, “Thank God I primped because I want this dog to like me.”

Moments ago, I glanced out my window at yet another neighbor walking a dog on Lincoln Avenue. The dog pooped on our lawn—as they all do.

Ninety percent of Lincoln’s dog walkers clean up after their pets. Do I confront the other 10 percent?

No. With wars in two countries, a deep economic recession and billions underfed worldwide, why add to the disharmony?

It’s raining again. Got to go and clean up the mess before it dissolves.

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Morey Stettner is the author of five books including SKILLS FOR NEW MANAGERS (McGraw-Hill) and THE ART OF WINNING CONVERSATION (Prentice Hall). He is the editor of the popular newsletter Managing People at Work (www.managingpeopleatwork.com) and his articles on leadership and entrepreneurship appear every Monday in Investor's Business Daily.