Hey Humans, we need to have a little chat.  We couldn’t help but notice when out and about this winter that not all people are picking up their dog’s poop.  I thought we had a good thing going?  Dogs would make these magical gifts, and you would proudly carry them in colorful little bags along our walk for all to see and then happily bring them home to cherish.  Has the novelty worn off?

We know it is winter, so you may think because the poop is covered in snow nobody knows it is there.  But trust me, our sensitive noses tell us otherwise.  Or worst yet we see some folks take the time to bag it, but then leave the bags behind.  Here’s a little secret you may not have realized.  Those bags don’t magically disappear when the snow melts.  We understand it is winter and it may be inconvenient to pick it up, but it is also difficult for us too.  Have you ever tried pooping in the snow?  It’s not pleasant!

In addition to boosting our self-esteem when you celebrate our accomplishment, there are also serious health  and environmental reasons for picking it up.  Did you know dog waste deters other wildlife from being in an area?  Bet you didn’t know a single gram of dog waste can contain 23 million fecal coliform bacteria which can cause Humans to have health problems if it gets into our water.  Our poop is not only magical, it’s powerful!

Another thing you may not have realized is if it continues to pile up, towns and organizations can ban dogs from using the parks and trails that we enjoy so much.  Not to mention most towns have ordinances about removing dog waste with some pretty hefty fines if you don’t do it.  That would certainly cut into our squeaky toys and treats budget.  So let’s pretend we didn’t need to have this little discussion, and go back to the way things use to be.  No poop left behind!