An Unpleasant Encounter

[Heidi & Milton]

Milton and I enjoy taking walks in the early evening when the sun is finally beginning to wane.  Last night we left here at about 8:00P.M., and we began our usually two-mile loop.  We go up one side of the street, sniffing about, and we return down the other side because we need to check that out too. 

Now, Jeff and I might have created a nasty habit (I don't think so.), but during our early morning jogs throughout the school year, we were always faced with a reoccurring dilemma.  Whenever Milton went potty, we would bag it up, and then run with it for about three miles due to a dearth of public trashcans.  This was unpleasant, as you can imagine.  So instead, we began placing this stinky bundle on the corner of the sidewalk to pick up when we looped back around.  A small plastic bag sitting out of the way, to me, does not seem like too much of an inconvenience to anyone, especially if it is not directly situated on someone's property.  Gasp, shake your head, and think what you may, but we are responsible adults, and we always circle back to pick up what is rightfully ours to dispose of in a trash receptacle.

Getting back to my original story, last night Milt and I were enjoying our evening stroll and, most importantly, minding our own business.  Milton began heavy sniffing on the edge of someone's yard, and he proceeded to potty.  As Milton's Momma, I immediately untied the waste bag, that we always carry on Milton's leash, and I scooped up his poop.  As this occurred in the first few minutes of our walk, I neatly tied up the bag and carefully placed it directly under a stop sign at the end of that street.  I checked the street name, to mark our spot, and I knew we would be back in about 20 minutes to pick up the bag and take it home.

Milt and I continued about our merry way when I was spooked by a jogger, in his late 40s, huffing and puffing along on our left.  This is the dialogue that ensued:

Disgruntled jogger:  "That was a very unneighborly thing you did back there with your poop bag."

Incredulous me:  "We walk this route daily, and we are circling right back to pick it up.  Do you expect me to carry it for the entire walk?"

Disgruntled jogger:  <Grunts.>  Proceeds to continue jogging.

At my yoga class, we always discuss life issues, including energy.  Well, my positive energy collided with that man's negative energy resulting in a very unpleasant remainder of our walk.  How dare he intrude upon my life with his snide remark.  Nasty rebuttals, that I wish I had said, began to circulate in my head, like, "From the looks of you, I obviously walk this route a lot more than you jog it," or "I would never comment on your painstakingly slow pace, so don't comment on my dog etiquette."  My main point of contention is if this man thought I left the bag there, with no intention of ever picking it up again, why would I have even bothered to scoop up Milt's waste?  Instead I would have just left it smoldering on the grass...

Post-walk

Favorite spot

I concede.  Perhaps our habit could be interpreted as rude.  I see it as savvy especially if you are walking or running multiple miles, carrying a noxious bag of excrement is a bit bothersome.  Right or wrong -- the take-away from this story is I let that jogger's negative energy run all over me; I had an awful lot of trouble shaking it off.  For next time that anything rattles me, I need to refocus and realign my thoughts.  The person affected the most in a troublesome situation is the one who harbors the ill feelings instead of breathing and letting go.

The funny part is Milton's simple, natural action induced that spiteful comment, and I don't think he was bothered in the slightest.

To read more about Milton the Goldendoodle please visit www.goldilocksandherdoodle.com

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I don't blame either you or the jogger, actually. As a neighbor who cares about his neighborhood, the jogger was doing the right thing by making the comment. Yes, he could have/should have been more tactful in how he said it, but he was doing his neighborly duty, and I applaud him for making a stand. Now, as far as you leaving the poo to circle back for it, I'm right there with you! I do the same thing on our long loop walks. I tuck it somewhere out of the way to pick up on the return trip (I confess though, I only do it on the more 'deserted' stretches and not so much in the actual neighborhoods... I'm afraid of someone thinking what the jogger thought... that I'm an irresponsible dog owner). So you were doing nothing wrong in my book, and I suppose you could have been a bit less defensive in your response. A simple, 'I'm picking it up on my loop back', would have sufficed. In the moment its often difficult to say the exact right thing, and I understand your defensiveness to his comment. The point is, the entire interaction could have been handled better, with the least amount of 'negative' energy. (I'm pretty sure the jogger felt bad too, afterwards). I do not think its your responsibility as a dog owner to pack the poo all the way around when you have every intention to pick it up later. That's just silly.  My only advice is in the future if you want to avoid comments like the jogger's, be a bit more discreet with stashing the poo :-)

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I think it was a little rude, but I do agree that he probably didn't know you were coming back to get it.  Some people just find anything to worry about.  I had a runin about Peri's poop last year-got cussed out by a neighbor while pushing a stroller and two dogs.  I live in a part of town with 2 acre lots and no one picks up their poop.  I worry about it when I can and have a free hand.  Sorry but it's true.  LOVE Milt's photo in the bath :)

[Amy & Albee]

I think it's always frustrating when you obviously had a plan that was thought-out and possibly reasonable, and then someone approaches you regarding your action.. as though you didn't give it any thought whatsoever.

The manner in which he brought up your character, as being 'unneighborly' definitely would have bothered me as well. Communication and they way it's delivered really goes a long way! Especially when criticizing someone- something you probably know all to well since you're a teacher (and critique homework and such).

Glad you were able to shake this!

[Heidi & Milton]

Hi Jarka,

Asking for more trash cans is a good idea, but we live in a very residential neighborhood within the city, so I doubt that would happen.  Each house does have a big trash can on the side or by the curb.  I used to just pop our bag in one of them, but now that I own a house, and we take out our trash, I have begun to notice that those little bags are the ones that just kept stuck down deep, especially if the can is empty.  Then when the sanitation workers empty them, that bag remains.  That seemed gross and unkind to my neighbors, so that is why I switched to this new alternative.

Milt absolutely loves the tub!  He is wild about water and staying cool, especially in our 100+ Texas heat...!

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

PS. I still can't get over Milton's favorite spot in the tub. I wonder how he learned that. I guess he likes to lay there because it's cool? It's way too cute!

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Unfortunately, only you know that you are coming back for the bag. There is way too many irresponsible dog owners everywhere so I don't blame the guy for telling you his thoughts. He did not know you are picking the poop on the way back. How about asking the city to put in more trash cans?  In our area, there is a reasonable amount of doggy stations that include both the trashcan and free poop bags. I still have to carry the bag, though, for a while. And I do find plenty of uncollected poop on the way as well. :-(

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

I have to disagree with you.

I don't blame the man for confronting you.  Remember Milton and his waste is your responsibility so " carrying a noxious bag of excrement is a bit bothersome" is really out of line.  "A small plastic bag sitting out of the way, to me, does not seem like too much  of an inconvenience to anyone", it is just as much an inconvenience as carrying the bag until you can find a place to properly dispose of it.

Glad you did not utter any of your nasty rebuttals - it would have only inflamed the situation and not helped.  Anyway why would you want to ridicule a person whose "only crime" was to confront you about keeping the area clean.  Perhaps it would have made you feel better about your actions.