Dear Jim,
I second all you say... and have said much the same before.
Ok, there has been some jumping up and down in the past, minor upsets, but all get's sorted out in the end. The Moderators do a good job, and whilst getting some flack from time to time, I have to say I have never seen any unfair judgment.
I do a bit with equines... and, you know, they are the best 'people' to be amongst - certainly the most honest. The psychology of the equine is such that they are always right in whatever and anything they do. All you have to do is 'suggest' to them another way of doing things - if they don't do what you want them to do! Mind you, if they might refuse point blank with ears laid back and other body language, other tacks need to be employed (gentle all the same - after all no-one likes to be forced and the same applies to equines - and most other animals as it happens). It is only too easy to fall foul of things... believe it or not, the exact same principals of working with equines applies to humans! - both can be just as deliberately awkward simply for the sake of it!!!!!
We all have 'moods' and animals do to... who wisely advised would think otherwise? But this is something that few give consideration to.
So, the next time your dog, cat, pigeon, horse, pony or lion shouts at you, they are trying to tell you something! They don't actually need to talk... at the end of the day it's all in the eyes and face... it's just a matter of 'seeing it' - or taking the trouble to notice it. So many don't recognise or know this. Shame really... but I like to try to do my bit.
Regards, Bernard