Ah, the challenges of owning little dogs.

As I headed out on our morning walk today, the plan was to leave Eddie behind. He's limping and his vet appointment isn't until Wednesday. But as I called Rusty and Jillie to the door, I discovered Eddie would have none of that. He was going, and that was final.

He's 10 pounds, so I decided to carry him in my coat. I figured it was easier to do that than to have to deal with his attitude if I left him behind.

It was a little trickier than I thought, especially since I was carrying the video camera too, but all was going well. Eddie was content to go along for the ride, and the other dogs were behaving off-leash.

But as we were completing the loop around the park, I spied a neighbor walking his dog on leash. I don't know what it is about this dog, but mine don't like him. I think it's because they watch him walk past our window a couple times a day while I'm at work.

Panicking a little, I called both of mine over before they saw the neighbor dog and got my hand on Rusty's collar. The leashes were in the same pocket as the video camera, tangled. Just then, Rusty spied the neighbor dog and started to bark and pull. I dropped the camera in the snow, leashed Rusty and stuffed Jillie in my coat.

Before I realized what I'd done, a dogfight had broken out in my coat. Eddie, I'd temporarily forgotten, is not a snuggler. His space is his space. And Jillie was in it.

I reached in and couldn't tell who was who. I just found the spot where my hand fit between a pile of fur and was able to separate them, remove Jillie and put her on her knotted leash.

Fortunately, there were no injuries and the "fight" turned out to be more snarling than biting. But I don't think I'll ever be able to look the neighbor in the eyes after having him witness a dogfight in my coat.