Yes! I said it! Poop, a.k.a. poo, crap, dung, fecal matter, #2, or doo doo.....when you have a dog, you have it in abundance. Some owners handle it well, but others do not.
We are the family who follows the dog outside and picks up the crud as it is deposited. Into a bag, knotted and into the trashcan it goes. When I walk my dog, I carry it with me until the walk is complete. When we are back home--into the trash can it goes. Even on trash days--when our neighbor's cans are accessible at the ends of their driveways....I carry it to our own trashcan.
I do not leave it along the roadway. I do not toss it in someone else's trash can. I do not toss it in my neighbor's yard waste bag.
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| Poo bag left on sidewalk |
Our subdivision is a large loop, so walkers pass our home on their way into the subdivision and on their way out. So if I see you walk by with a poo bag dangling from your mitts, I expect to see it when you walk by on the way out! Take it with you back to your own abode. Be responsible and be a great neighbor! We don't need more poo!
One of the things I love about living where I do (in Bayside, Wisconsin) are the many species of wildlife. I'm mostly attracted to the variety of birds we can attract to our yard through our bird baths, peanut tray and bird feeder.
This morning I noticed the abundance of rabbits in our neighborhood. Where are the coyotes when we need them? I counted 16 rabbits on my 50-minute walk...no wonder my garden plants are doing so poorly. It doesn't seem to matter where they are, they seem to live everywhere.
I have a small trap and could try and catch them and repatriate them somewhere else, but I believe I'd be doing that all summer long. So I need to find that secret potion to keep them away from my gardens...cayenne pepper spray, or the pepper itself? Fox urine pellets...nothing seems to be working. Fences defeat the purpose of a garden to enjoy....I'd rather do the enjoying and not the rabbits. They truly are equal opportunity destroyers.
One of the things I love about living near Lake Michigan is that (a) it is typically cooler with nice lake breezes and (b) our growing season is delayed compared to our counterparts who live west of Milwaukee. (It is late June and I have yet to turn on our air conditioning!)
In my early morning walks through the neighborhood, I am still smelling peony bushes and a few late blooming lilacs. The crab apple trees are done blooming this year--I already miss their overpowering scent. One morning in particular, I was thankful I do not have allergies because the scent was so strong in portions of the neighborhood I got a headache (but I'm not complaining!)
While out on my many walks, I notice that some fellow walkers listen to music. I'm a purist and listen to nature. Owls hooting, birds chirping, and squirrels scolding. Some late afternoon/early evening walkers talk on the phone. I've often wondered how sore their arm is when I see them do the loop near our house (15 minutes) and are talking on the phone the entire time.
Walking at the start of the day, early enough where I am the only person out and about, works for me. If I wait until after work, my walk and exercise sometimes doesn't happen. I strive for at least 10,000 steps each day. I choose to wear a Fitbit...I've had mine for several years. It tracks my steps and sleep (or lack thereof.)
So tomorrow as I head outside to begin my day, I'll be taking deep breaths and enjoying the smells of summer in Bayside, Wisconsin.
