If I might interject here, I think there's one more aspect to keeping ourselves safe that no one has brought up yet, and that's taking responsibility for ourselves.

Many of us have an inner voice or a sixth sense that we tend to ignore. A few of us had "a feeling" about Sleeps from the very beginning. I was one of those. Sometimes I listen to that inner voice or whatever you want to call and and sometimes I don't. Luckily, I did this time and althought I responded to Sleeps on the board and also PMed with her, I kept it on the surface. It was mostly about my search for the right dog. Even then, I didn't listen to her advice 100% although it would have been really easy to do it. I know I can be impulsive and have regretted it. Sleep struck me as Very Impulsive; not too much thought to her actions. So be it...

Another thing to keep in mind is how much personal information we give out in our bios as well as the board. I've seen several "savvy" people post their email address on the board for everybody and their uncle to see!!

Before this happened, my bio gave my general location. It doesn't anymore! I've also given out my phone number and lived to regret it. It takes time to get to know someone and you NEVER will get to know them really well on the Internet. You get to know who they allow you to know.

So let's not expect Doc John to do the impossible here. He can only do so much with a public medium. Let's help him and OURSELVES by thinking things through before we act on the spur of the moment or because "it feels good/right." Remember, feelings are not facts!

Wishing everybody here a much safer Internet experience!