Did you know that dog’s look at you while they’re going to the bathroom because it’s their most vulnerable position and they’re looking for you to keep them safe? If you’ve ever gone to the bathroom with the door open, you’ll notice they do this to you too – for the same reason. You’re vulnerable and they’re doing their job…protecting you.
When you’re on a walk with your furry friend do you pick up their poop after they go?
We do…but then we leave it on the side of the road and grab it on our return back.
To me, I’d think this is a no-brainer…why would you want to carry the smelly bag with you the entire time if you’re going back the same way?
I mean, the worst part of it is actually bagging it, so if you’ve done that much, wouldn’t you think you’d commit to throwing it out?
In our neck of the woods, I guess we’re the only ones who think this way.
My girls are predictable…
If they’re on the leash, we can do laps around the yard and neither will go to the bathroom.
Ivy will pee the second she gets the urge outside, whether it’s on the stairs, the walkway or even your foot (been there, done that unfortunately) and Addie will tug and tug you until she gets to the spot she likes. Both girls have their favorite location, and wait to do their business until they get there.
Ivy will poop as soon as she leaves our yard, in front of the neighbors house (whose always home I might add) and Addie has her special spot down the street in front of a vacant house (like a good girl).
Regardless, I always pick up after them. In the rare case that I run out of bags or it’s not in the condition to pick up, I at least move it as far as possible, away from any wondering feet.
I love the street I live on, and I would be upset to see poop piles where I walk everyday. I bring my handy fanny pack, which holds my poop bags and some treats for my furry friends and make sure I don’t leave any of their remnants behind.
But I always get asked the strangest question by the families we pass on the road…
“Is that your poop bag?”
Unfortunately, this never seems to be a very friendly question, and I would think the answer is fairly obvious. I don’t have a bag swinging in my hands, and I have a dog on a leash, so it must be my poop bag.
My girls are always barking at people passing by (it’s a work in progress) and I’m doing everything I can to keep them quiet and behaving. Carrying the bag actually adds a lot to the situation…can’t they see I have my hands full?
With all of this commotion going on, their first thought is always to ask me about the bags; and it doesn’t make any sense to me…
This is my thinking:
- “Why would I want to carry that the whole walk?”
- “Where is their poop bag?”
- “Do they really think I’d leave that there after I already did the worst part and picked it up?”
Granted, some bags are biodegradable [eventually]…but I strategically place these bags…I don’t want to lose them or accidentally step on them next time around.
They’re placed along the side of the road, in a position that I am clearly not trying to hide. I’m not picking up the poop then chucking the bag into the woods…but I am doing the worst part – picking it up!
While we are on our walks, we never see old bags [from anyone] that were not tended to. We do see piles of poop here and there, but nothing consistent that shows anyone being negligent of their pets.
Does anyone else have this issue? I’d love to hear your opinions in the comments.
Maybe I’m on the wrong side of this and they see a plastic bag and think it’s going to be forgotten. As I’ve mentioned before, we live on a very quiet road…there are generally no other dogs walking than the ones of the neighborhood.
Maybe I should start adding flags next to my bags…
Today’s Lesson: believe in the good of people. Don’t assume the worst the first time you see something. Dogs see the good in everyone – it doesn’t matter who we are or what we say…they love us unconditionally and never judge us, no matter what happens. We should consider taking a page out of their book and believing in the good in everyone too.
#blog-26
This is such a sore subject with us as you know my “poop” story with my neighbor that resulted in a shit show and years of not speaking to each other. People need to be responsible for their pets and respect other people’s property. You are right, why carry the bag with you on the walk. You are picking it back up on the way. I see a lot of people that do not even bother to pack it up. I’ve even gone so far as to hand them a bag when they just look at you after their dog pooped and shrug their shoulders. Maybe you need to leave a sticky note on the bag saying “I plan to pick this up on my way back from my walk, if not please feel free to return to my home” LOL
LOL! Love the sticky note idea – I’m sure that will get the point across!