I was walking my dog Remi and an interesting thing happened. There is a sweet old woman who walks around the block with a wheeled cart she uses to help her walk. We speak often. She just loves my dog Remi. Remi is high energy and rambunctious, but she is very gentle with the woman because she senses her vulnerability. We stopped to chat under the shade of a tree. She gave Remi her pets, and we chatted. A 20 something man was skateboarding down the sidewalk from behind her, and stopped because we were in the way. As he walked by, he shouldered the elderly lady, rudely saying "EXCUSE YOU!!" I quickly threw out my arm and caught her, otherwise she would have fallen.
In that instant Remi let out a sound. It was part, bark, part growl, part roar. She launched herself 3 feet in the air the length of her leash. She hit his leg and bit his other knocking him down. She growled and shook wildly on her leg hold, ripping his jeans. He crawled out if range, swore, then ran a few yards before speeding off on his skateboard. Remi then ran over,stood on her hind legs, put her front paws on the womans cart and began frantically licking her hand. That young man learned several lessons. I learned that although she is my girl, Remi will fiercely defend her friends.