Fitz-G: Terror Dog

I have a small Jack Russell Terrier. She's very innocent and friendly looking. She has tried to hurt flies, and failed. However, whenever I go to the park and she approaches a stranger (to sniff, say hello, check it out, check him out--she's got good taste in men), the person often behaves as if she's a Rottweiler foaming at the mouth about to bite them in the crotch. I try to reassure them with a friendly smile, or an apology, but to no avail. They look at me, indignant that I would let such a dangerous and potentially lethal beast out in public. I try to comfort Fitz-G by telling her she's a sweetheart, and they've probably just had a bad experience with dogs at one point. Fitz-G, most of the time, has already forgotten the incident and is busy sniffing pee, poop, or someones ass (those are her preferences, in that order). If only people could be so forgiving. When someone doesn't return my friendly "Hi" or my courteous *Smile* on the hiking trail, my heart falls in my chest. Why wouldn't a fellow hiker, walker, etc, want to acknowledge someone else out enjoying nature? Los Angeles remains a mystery.

VA