P.U.P.

[Cathy C. Bennett]

This is not the most pleasant subject, nor my favorite blog topic either, but - definitely one that warrants some attention from everyone with and without a dog....

Tell me if you've had the misfortune of witnessing a similar scene:

“I was about to take the boys out for a morning stroll. As I walked past my front door I caught a glimpse of a man with his dog. As I gathered my “dog walking” gear (jacket, leash, soccer ball for Leo, and poop bags), I noticed him again through my foyer window - and I watched as he slowed down in front of my neighbors house.

His dog began to creep up on the neighbors lawn because his owner  allowed him about 100 feet of freedom compliments of his retractable leash. In the middle of their yard, the dog - after twirling around like a spinning top - got into position. He hunched down with that curvature in his back and proceeded to “do his business.” When he was finished, he “strutted” back to the street, while his pet parent tried to “slither” away looking from side to side, praying no one saw him... Well too late! - cause I did! 

Well pinch me with a fork - I was done! I opened my door, surprised myself actually, and didn’t think twice about swinging it wide, yelling - yes I yelled - “Hey, you gonna pick that up?” He was mortified. If he could have wilted away and blended in with one of the azalea bushes in that yard he would have. By the manner in which he sort of acknowledged me and then tried to move forward without really lifting his foot, led me to believe that he probably thought I was going to go away - but “oh no”, I was on a roll. I stood there, hand on hip, and waited for an answer...

After a few uncomfortable seconds, he mumbled something about not having a bag, to which I said, “stay right there - let me get you one.”  I gave him a few bags (one for now - some for later), and as he thanked me, he told me he didn’t like to pick “it” up. REALLY? Can anyone reading this tell me who does? I couldn’t help but chuckle as I told him “ Sorry, you got a dog, so now you got poop.”

Statistics tell us that 40% of Americans do not pick up after their dogs - UGH! We’ve got to do better by educating those that just don’t get it.

• Don’t allow someone to walk away without picking it up

• Don’t let them get away with it just because it’s dark outside either

• For “us” that do, we get a bad rap thanks to those that “don’t”

• Poop attracts flies and rodents

• Public parks should get the same respect

• A large portion of water pollution is caused by animal waste not cleaned up

The “Poop and Scoop” laws across the country all vary from state to state, and are not clearly defined either I might add. So dog owners and dog enthusiasts with no dog - let’s get “deputized”, and save our neighborhoods.

I hereby give you all the authority to yell to the top of your lungs, PICK UP the POOP, the next time you see someone “running from the scene of the crime.”

 

  “DON'T LEAVE ME HERE...”

 

 

Thanks for reading ... FOR MORE GROOVY GOLDENDOODLE ADVENTURES VISIT: www.groovygoldendoodles.com

[Sue & Lily Grace]

Yea for you.  I also have stopped people and asked them to pick up.  I think I am know as the crazy lady with the black dog.  Little did they know how sick Cassie was and how easily she got infections.  She sure did not need to be walking around in areas that had some other dogs poop that was not cleaned up.  You should not have a dog if you don't pick up.  

[Christine & Shelby]

Also a pet peeve of mine.... It's rude! I think of the parks and little children running and someone falling down in it. It is city ordinance where I live... I wish it were enforced. Maybe I could request a stake out with some undercover officers?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We once had a neighbor who let her dog poop in our yard all of the time.  I finally picked up the poop and placed it in the middle of her driveway where she drove over it.  Ha!

[Bonnie and Kona]

My darling granddaughter stepped in dog doodoo yesterday in her front yard while I was babysitting. I was so mad at the man I saw a few minutes earlier go strolling through the yard with his puggle. ARRGH. I didn't see the offense but the evidence was clear enough. Disgusting. Good for you for showing this person that a plastic bag is an essential part of dog walking.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Ha, I'm glad you called him out! 

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Wow...good for you!  I'm sure he was embarrassed!  I know that I did that once with Bexter...forgot to bring my bags and he pooped in one of my neighbor's yards by his mailbox.  I felt so bad that I went home & got my bags, walked back, & picked it up (without being told!)  You know...s#@$ happens sometimes!  But the least thing you can do is CLEAN IT UP!

[Janice Hammond]

It drives me crazy when people don't pick up after their dogs.Several years ago before we moved to the acerage a woman who lived on our street and had two schnauzers would strut up the street and let them poop on our lawn.One night I  lay in wait and as the dogs finished their business I bolted out the door and confronted her.She was suprised embarrassed and defensive. I mentioned that I had watched her bringingher dogs to our lawn for more than two weeks and it was to stop.She thought that I was going to pick up the poop again.Oh No. I handed her a bag and watched as she picked it up .She handed it to me and I gave it back and told her to put it in her own garbage. I never saw her walk our way again.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

We also have people who have dogs poop on the cement sidewalks! Who does that? They just do it as they are walking and the owner doesn't pick it up! So we have to watch our every step! Some day we will see who's doing it!

Gross! I saw a sign in a magazine that says "HERE LIES THE LAST DOG WHO POOPED IN MY YARD" a drastic but funny way to say it I guess!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Love the picture. YES-we see it at the park all the time, you are right we get the rap for it such as: DH was walking Chloe and she decided to pee on this really green perfect lawn and a guy came to his door and started yelling to Dh "ARE YOU GOING TO PICK THAT UP?" He said DUDE! She's a girl and it's pee not poop! He said maybe you should figure it out before blaming me for leaving it there.To clarify this was curb side, city property really. We usually don't let them go on "pretty" lawns but she had to go! You go girl! Awesome job! Another time Chloe decided to poop twice on her walk and he already used and threw away the bag in the park. So the lady was outside and he asked if she had a bag and she said NO and shut her door! WTD? So he left it there and came home to get a bag, I can't remember if he did go get it or not. I always tell him take 2!!

[Wynn, Fudge, and Willy]

Good for you! Thanks for yelling! We go RVing a lot and this is a problem in the campgrounds as well. Most campgrounds even provide bags for you to use. I hate it when I am walking my dog with bag in hand and step in another dogs poo! People want to take their pets on vacation with them, but the owners of these campgrounds get tired of dog owners not picking up after there dogs. They are hurting themselves and the rest of us that pick up. Yes, Please pick up your dogs poop wherever you go!