You may have noticed that some canines out for a walk in BV or elsewhere are sporting bright yellow these days. It’s not a frivolous trend for fashion-savvy, sartorially resplendent canines or their owners. It has an important purpose and indicates an internationally-recognized symbol with safety in mind.

If you see a yellow bow, ribbon or patch of yellow duct tape attached to a collar or leash or a yellowbandanna circling the animal’s neck, it simply means “I Need My Space.”

It indicates the dog - including your own - is shy, perhaps aggressive, fearful of people or of other dogs, not yet fully socialized, in heat or otherwise “intact,” old, infi rm, arthritic or asthmatic, needing to stay calm. It signals others that they or their dogs - however well-meaning - should not approach or allow their pets to encroach on a dog’s space until he/ she is comfortable with theattention.

This saves owners from having to explain awkward situations and saves human-to-human or petto-pet altercations from escalating to doctor or veterinary visits or, heaven forbid, lawsuits.

Added to obeying leash laws, not allowing pets to roam free and cleaning up after our pets, this practice shows common courtesy and respect for everyone’s “space.” Linda A. Farrell Bella Vista

Opinion, Pages 6 on 09/11/2013