Know Your Limitations!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

My daughter’s car broke down this week and because it could not get into the shop until Friday, she has had to enjoy some special mother/daughter time with me driving (a few days) her to and from work.  She works a long way from home and she would probably tell you it was hell.  Eventually, she found a co-worker a little closer to home and it shortened our drive, but not by much.  I have found when I have a member of my family in an enclosed space, with no way to escape, is when I can give some of my best advice.  Sure, I have had to get used to the shrill cries of, “I swear I am going to jump from this car,” but they never do, so in my mind, they really do want to hear what I have to say.  Like I do many nights, I used a story I heard on DK to make my point, ignored all the “who cares?” and hoped some of what I said got through to my daughter.  I could tell I made a small impact by the way she leaped from the car when we got home and said, “I am taking my dinner down to my room and I won’t be back up.”

 

The point of the story I told to her was to find what you are good at and work to get better at it every way you can.  Everyone has something they excel at and knowing what that is about yourself can help you both professionally and personally.  I told her in great length how I never wanted to be a boss to anyone when I worked, because A) people get on my nerves and B) I was never a good delegator and always thought I could do it better.  She didn’t seem surprised to learn any of this about her mother and in fact said, “in other words, you are impatient and think you are always right.  Tell me something I don’t know.”  I forged ahead without saying what I was thinking, “You are really bugging me and you need to listen to me because I always know best, “ and instead said,  “You are missing the point.  The point is I know what I am good at and my limitations.”  She followed up with, “did my car get fixed today, so I can drive myself next week?” Every parent knows you try and plant the seed and hope it grows, so hopefully, I can fertilize it a little next time we are alone and continue helping the little seed’s growth.

 

By now, you might be wondering where is this story going and in a roundabout way I am getting to my point.  Every day I take my dogs for a walk at a beautiful park near our home.  The campground is closed for the winter so we have the place mostly to ourselves, although we do see other people out walking their dogs.  I really do think every time I am at that park how lucky I am to have such a great place to take my dogs.  Beauty is everywhere and from time to time, we see a deer, an owl, a woodpecker, and too many of those darn squirrels.  This week, however, I noticed something not so pretty, dog poop that lazy owners did not pick up.  I noticed it everywhere once I started looking.  There can really be no other excuse except lazy dog owners for this because our park has poop stations all along the paths complete with bags and trashcans. 

For some reason, I am sure it is the same dog owners that allow their dogs off leash despite signs everywhere that say all dogs must be leashed.  We encounter these idiots all the time who always like to yell out, “Don’t worry.  My dog is friendly.”  One day I was walking Fudge and Vern and out of nowhere appeared a dog walking toward us with no owner in sight.  All coherent thought left me and I weighed several options as the dog approached, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to hoist Vern into the nearest tree.  Luckily, the owner finally appeared apologizing profusely and called the dog to her, but the dog continued to approach us.  He had no intention of listening to his owner and she had no more control over that unleashed dog than I did and finally as she closed in on him, I said, “you had better get him, because my dogs are not friendly.” Whether or not that is true does not matter and all this could have been avoided if she had followed the rules and kept her dog on a leash.  She did get her dog before anything bad happened and Fudge and Vern behaved far better than I anticipated as I stood there shaking in my boots and trying to decide if I had enough momentum in me to make a mad burst to the car or if it would be faster to just drop to the ground and have the dogs pull me.  A lot of “what ifs” crossed through my mind that day.

 

I think knowing your limitations applies to dog ownership, too.  If you have no intention of picking up after your dog, then don’t get one.  If you think all the dog rules posted throughout parks and public places don’t apply to you, then don’t get a dog.  Picking up dog poop is not my favorite thing either and I have one dog who waits to poop until we are way past the poop stations every single day, because I swear she likes to see me carry her poop around and juggle a filled bag and two dog leashes.  Don’t try to tell me that make no sense, because you won’t change my mind. I  know I am right and you will just bug me if you try :)  I never thought in a million years I would be walking behind my dogs with a plastic bag and encouraging them to do the one thing that was going to require me to pick up something gross. 

Ask my family, I don’t even like to know people go to the bathroom.  The next time I see anyone talking or writing about whether or not they should get a dog, my first question is going to be, “how do you feel about sticking your hand in a plastic bag, gathering up the goods, and turning the bag inside out and carrying it around like an unattractive purse until you can locate a trash can?”  Oh, and unlike kids, they don’t ever learn to go on a toilet and eventually cut you out of the equation. 

Oh, how I wish Fudge and Vern did this every day!

Nothing would give me greater pleasure then to walk up to those people who do not pick up their dog’s potty (I am getting grossed out from writing poop so much) and hand them a very expensive ticket and a poop bag.  Unfortunately, Pennsylvania does not have Poop Police, so I am SOL and pardon my French. The rules apply to all of us.  I worry that someday I will drive up to my favorite park and see another sign that reads, “No dogs allowed!”  It could happen, because it seems that the few who don’t follow the rules always ruin it for those of us who do.

[Christine & Shelby]

I use it on a standard leash.... It works great!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The photo shows it attached to the housing of a retractable, though; I wonder if that might not be too heavy for a regular leash. JD produces some weighty stuff, lol.

The bags I use have tie handles, and it's no trouble to hold, as it slips over your hand if need be, and with only one dog to walk, I always have a free hand.

[Christine & Shelby]

F. Yes, it seems like an easy concept, but I went for tagging it on to another order. It seems so simple, I've been using it for about a year and it is great. Maybe we can get your version mass produced with a DK logo :).
I'd be interested in seeing your finished product!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Christine I like this concept but I think I may jury rig one as good, maybe better?

[Christine & Shelby]

Laurie.... This has been my pet peeve since day one and honestly it frustrated me before I was a dog owner too! I always pick up after Shelby... I have bags in my car, my purse and my dog walking belt which holds everything I need (keys, bags, treats, hand sanitizer, iPod, and a tiny bit of cash.

As for the glamorous task of carrying the poop... About a year ago I decided to try a simple little gadget and I have to say... It works great. It is a little plastic device that attaches to ou leash handle with a Velcro strap and it hold the poop for you! Here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/Kelston-Products-LLC-Clipper-1-pack/dp/B001W3...

I've been know to offer someone a poop bag when I see their dog pooping and there is no indication they are about to pick it up. The reactions I have gotten are mixed. It is our responsibility as dog owners! It saddens me to see all the poop left on the grass in the local parks... Where the children run and play.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Bingo!!!  That's the way it is in general - not just the dog poop world!  The "few" who feel above the rules always ruin it for the rest of us!!  

[F, Calla & Luca]

Oh Laurie I'm full of s... Sometimes :-)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Camilla, I fantasize about the same thing...we should team up :) LOL

Nancy, Oh, I like this idea a lot :)

Sheila, I love your attitude and your quote. You go, girl :) Gosh, I hope you don't even give me a "gift". LOL

Karen, Well said!! 400 Poop Bags....WOW! I thought I had a lot when I bought 6 rolls at a time. I lose them just like I do my purse, cell phone, and keys.

Cheryl, Sounds like you have it all under control. There used to be a lady at our dog park that came in with her dog and went all around and picked up the "you know what". YUCK!  My two don't go to dog parks anymore.

DJ, I hope it works. That is very nice of you.

Sheri, I hear you loud and clear. Some people just think since their dog is friendly, everyone's is and at the vet, my two are already stressed and don't want a friend :) I am the least friendliest person to meet on a walk...I want to be left alone with my dogs. LOL  I hope Sophie is having a better day.

Lonnie, Thank you! Any more you have to be careful what you say to someone, so who is to say your way isn't the smartest way :) What is with our kids and not liking our advice? LOL

F,  Wow....a poop Limerick? Who knew you had that in you...LOL!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Sooo true about those few lazy people ruining it for the rest! I do sometimes fantasize about ticketing people for off-leash dogs in on-leash areas, or not picking up poop. I'm weird like that. LOL

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Irresponsible poop-picker-uppers need to be confined on a small island with all of their dogs for a month.  Let's see how they like it!