It's a real catharsis, Sorcha. That's why I do it. It gets rid of my deap-seated anger, frustration, and other festering emotions, and in a harmless manner...although it is hard on small, nervous dogs, no doubt about that. It does no permanent harm to the dachshunds, mind you, they're too phlegmatic and self-absorbed for that, but a Pomeranian or a Dandy Dinmont can be emotionally scarred for life by one of my sneezes.

topical tom - You are so right. I have employed the sneezing-into-the-arm technique myself. Matter of fact, it may be precisely that which threw my right shoulder out of whack about 5 or 6 months ago, and it still isn't fully back to normal. So I think I'll stick with the towel method for now.