Smart bear,dumb bicycler

considering the circumstances.Listen folks,I have had neighbors warn me about the new VICIOUS dog in the neighborhood.Turns out she was nearly totally blind and deaf and the neighbors would just walk up to the dogs owner and not acknowledge the dog or announce their presence until face to face with the person.Of course the dog made ferocious protective barks.I am not saying there is no such thing as a bad dog.I am saying be cautious.The so called vicious dog walked up to me and sat by my side while I petted her.I let her make the first move and would never get in somebody's face while they are walking their dog without addressing the dog FIRST. You don't have to pet them,just look them in the eye and say good dog!Simply put EVERY dog,big or small, considers themselves the deciding factor of ANY encounter their master makes with a stranger.If the dog has any physical weakness ,he or she will magnifyhis or her aggressiveness appropriately to try to control the encounter.Wild animals are very much the same and this bear,make no mistake realized very quickly that it was an accidental encounter and wanted no part of any more of it!