Thank you for your feedback, Discombobulated. I sincerely appreciate it.

First thing, you are right when you say I am protective. I will stop at nothing to defend those I love (whether that loved one has two legs or four legs). I have no ill toward the law. It is fair. Technically I did not abide by it so I will eat it. Still, there is a "moral law" at play here that I just cannot get past. I know people's morals differ and are very subjective so it is just something I have learned to deal with.

And you are right. It has very much consumed an unhealthy part of my life. This is nothing I am proud of and, yes, I show anger toward this guy whenever the opportunity presents itself. A few months ago I was walking/running on the sidewalk in front of his house, he just so happened so be backing out of his driveway. I knew he was seeing me in his rearview mirror so I clearly mouthed an F YOU! to him. I felt better for a second then back to anger. There is no denying I would love for him to get tired of my shenanigans and actually confront me then I could claim the whole "self defense" schtick. I think he recognizes that and perhaps that is why he is passive about it. I am not sure. I would argue that is my way of vowing to my dog to "make things right" with my dog as well. My wife, being the sensible one, always reminds me that as big a sweetheart as my dog was, even she would not want me to avenge her attack.

To answer your question on if I could avoid his street, the answer is yes. However, I choose not to. He lives a few blocks away and I really have no business going by his house in order to get where I need to. Still, I run by his house to let him know I am still around and things are not forgotten and spitting in his yard gives me satisfaction albeit for a moment.

But I get what you are saying. I have a lot to lose with family and all. Still, I struggle with this everyday and, like I mentioned earlier, read scripture and try to find comfort.

Thanks, friend.