Part of what makes Ocean Beach a great community is its spirit, and the friendly attitudes of the residents and business owners. OB has long been a friend to dogs and their good owners. It used to be that our lifeguards were cool, too. Maybe they still are, but it seems a few need to lose their power-play attitudes when it comes to well-behaved dog owners. I thought maybe my experience was unique, until I heard similar stories from others on Newport Avenue. Last week, when I was walking my dog (an exceedingly mellow 12-year-old golden retriever) on leash, as far inland on the sand as physically possible near Dog Beach, I was summarily tracked down and hassled. I was acting responsibility, bothering no one and obeying the spirit of the law. I was nowhere near the water, there were no people nearby and I was politely walking my dog on a leash. So why threaten me with a $300 ticket? Is this what we want our lifeguards to be about? Kids love these dogs. The elderly smile. Again, this scene takes place nowhere near the water, but rather as far away from the water as possible — and the lifeguards find it necessary to seek out a dog walker and hassle him. It was extremely troubling to learn I am not alone with such an incident. This is not what our community is about. And that is not how our lifeguards should behave. Lifeguards, if you think this makes you a bigger person, you need to get a life.