And so I have used one of my favorite expressions for the first time since moving to my new blog host, and will therefore have to create a new category for it.

Although I don't deal with too many dogs since getting promoted, I still carry a dogstick in my truck in case I need it.  This is simply a length of PVC pipe with a tennis ball bolted to the end.  The dogstick is actually a much better defense against dogs than pepper spray.  Some dogs will attack the tennis ball, and you simply let them chew on it while you back out of the yard.  Some dogs think it's a weapon, and won't get close to you because they're afraid of getting hit.  Other dogs can only be pushed away repeatedly until you're safely out of their territory.

South Park Pundit has pointed us to another tool that, although the manufacturer doesn't mention dogs, I can't help but think that the 4-foot pole with a 12-gauge attachment would make one heck of a dogstick.