I lost it

My temper, that is. Yesterday was a beautiful day and a wonderful evening. Delanah, Bailey and I were sitting out front on a blanket on the grass when Dave got home. There we were, sitting as a family, chatting away, but always watchful on Bailey, she's a good dog, but can bolt, thus the leash. Anyhoos, I heard our neighbors door open and out come trotting the little menace, I mean dog, Wendall. This dog is unleashed about 95% of the time, almost gets hit by cars weekly, has never done anything but growl and bark at me when I am getting out of my car, walking to the mailbox, and one day as I was trying to leave my house! The brat was on my porch, no owner in sight. Now I love dogs, trained dogs, not spoiled, allowed to do whatever they want, out of control dogs. Back to last night...I was already standing so I walk over to their walkway where Sue has her back to the dog and tell her she might want to get her dog. Bay had already bolted over to investigate (the dogs had never met before) and as she was wearing a new leash Dave got some wicked rope burns on his hand.
Sue comes over, I had retreated back to our side and starts going off about Bay being a vicious dog. Okay, I have worked very hard to keep my 65# mutt under control, but dogs are dogs and if hers is not under control, it can set off Bay. Well, I lost it. This dog has been around for a year and has caused nothing but problems with all the neighbors since. I informed her (not very politely) that there are leash laws and she was violating them, she disagreed and said she could walk him unleashed to her car. I think not! This I had looked up several weeks ago (good to stay informed on your cities pet laws) and I let her know this. Then she unleashes on how I have always been rude to her dog (and here I didn't think it was possible to be rude to an animal) and I was rude to her. We exchanged a few more heated words, yes I am ashamed of my behavior, and she placed her dog on her lap and sped off....this act is against the law as well, but I thought best not to chase her down and tell her :)
I went over and spoke to her husband about it. I have nothing wrong with him, he keeps the dog on a leash, now, and I said that I hoped we could stay civil, but I was done having rude comments made to me by his wife. He said he hoped we could work things out at a later date and to please keep an open mind. Now mind you, this woman has referred to me as a "screech" when I have greeted them, commented on my size when I was pregnant (beyond rude if you ask me) and has made me stop doing what I was doing as I will not put my child at risk because she cannot control her dog.
Yes, at the time I felt I was in the right. Okay, okay, after some reflection I realize that I was not really acting very Christian like. Would I assume I was Christian if I had witnessed the exchange? Ummm, no. I will go over in a few days, when I am sure I can keep myself under control, and apologize for my behavior and hopefully be able to get my concerns about their dog across in a civilized manner. We'll talk about their cats at a later date :)