Over the weekend at my son's hockey game, some friends brought me an article to read about a man, his dog and dog poop. It was hilarious and got me thinking about my own backyard and dog poop. With three dogs, two large and one small (but a big producer!) I have some spring cleaning ahead of me. I have always tried to encourage my dogs to do their 'business' in our backyard hoping that I when I walk them they have empty bowels and bladders. This doesn't always work, but with my handy plastic bag I am ready at all times. There is a lot to be said about dog poop really. I have received many a call from frustrated dog owners who tell me that they walk their dog for hours with no 'results'. I ask them if they usually end the walk and go home after the dog has pooped. Why yes, they say. I tell them that if I was a dog and I was having a great walk but knew my walk would end if I pooped, I wouldn't poop either. I am usually met with dead silence for a minute or so until the befuddled owner realizes what they have inadvertently taught their dog. Poop and it's over. I tell them the best solution is to have the dog relieve himself BEFORE the walk and then proceed as planned. You would be very surprised how fast a dog will poop when there is a walk at stake! Always bring your handy plastic bag along just in case. Which now brings me to my next dog poop story. I received an e-mail from a reader who said that since the recent snow melt she had a concern about dog excrement in her neighbourhood park. As a dog owner herself, she was disappointed and annoyed that some owners had not been cleaning up after their dogs throughout the winter. With so much snow this year she thought that perhaps owners either didn't make the extra effort or simply buried the 'evidence' with snow. I was curious so I called my friend Clive at Toronto Animal Services to find out if this was an isolated incident or whether there had been other people who shared this reader's view. It seems there have in fact, been more than a number of calls made with regards to this issue. I can't say that I was shocked, but a little surprised and like the reader, disappointed. I admit I do not follow my dogs out into our own backyard and anxiously await with bag in hand however, when I walk them off my property anywhere I am fully prepared to clean up after them. It is expected and it should be. They are my dogs, my responsibility. Even though I may be one of the biggest dog lovers in this community, I don't want to step in dog poop and I don't want it stuck to the bottom of my shoe. I'm sure parents, neighbours, and park goers don't want dog poop stuck to the bottom of their shoe either. It's gross, it stinks AND it can carry parasites and parvovirus, which can compromise my own dogs' health. For those who are not aware, parvovirus is a potentially deadly canine virus that is transmitted through the feces of an infected dog. I believe the majority of dog owners are stooping and scooping I really do, so please know that for those of you who are in that majority of courteous, responsible dog guardians, I am not lecturing. The fact is there are some dog owners who are not on the 'clean team' and I for one don't want dog poop to become an issue that debates restrictions or loss of privileges to those of us who try in every way to be good dog ambassadors. By the way, for those dog owners who are not scooping the poop, there is a $255.00 fine so I suggest reaching in your pocket for that handy plastic bag, instead of having to reach for your wallet!