"There's a hole in the baggy, dear Petey, dear Petey. There's a hole in the baggy, dear Petey, there's a hole."
I take a bag with me, sometimes even two, when taking the dog out for a walk. It is hard to believe that some people don't, and let their dogs poop just anywhere and simply leave it. But, sad to say, it happens. I wonder how these people would feel if some strange guy went on their lawn, pulled down his trousers, and took a dump? I’m sure that wouldn't go over too well.
I must admit that there have been a couple of occasions when I have forgotten to take a bag (seriously, only a couple) and when I realize my faux pas I panic! I can remember both occasions clearly.
The first was a fresh spring day, bright skies and no clouds. A great day for a walk; I was lovin' it, Petey was lovin' it, it was great, except for one thing. I don't like turning back once I've gotten going and the dog is none too thrilled when we go back home so soon. It confuses him, or he thinks he has done something wrong. Fortunately for me that on this day it was garbage Monday. Recycling was being collected and after spying a couple of blue boxes I found one with a bag holding a bunch of newspapers. I emptied the bag and viola! It was all good again, I could breathe a sigh of relief.
My second incident came on a cool fall day and it happened toward the end of a walk. It was about the same distance into our jaunt that I realized the problem, and this time I did not luck out with garbage day. I'm not sure if Petey read my thoughts but he did not poop, at least not right away. Not having the means to clean up the mess plagued my mind the entire walk and then toward the end it happened. The dog went! I looked to see if anyone was around. No one. So I quickly got Petey back to the house, let him off his leash, grabbed a bag, and quickly returned. I felt like I was sneaking back to the scene of a crime and covering up, or taking away, evidence.
I just can't leave my dog's mess for someone else to walk through or another dog to sniff at, it is just ignorant and a bit disgusting! So at home I keep the baggy holder with all of the leashes and whatever else is needed when going out for a walk. Grabbing a bag before heading out has become part of the routine when getting Petey ready. It is so automatic that the other day I neglected to see the hole in the bag I grabbed. I noticed only too late, when I felt the warm, sticky, stinky, sensation on my finger.
It really wasn't that bad when I look back. It was a small hole that only got a trace amount of …… yeah, never mind, it was bad! It was gross! Petey looked at me funny and could not understand the terror in my eyes and the unpleasant look as the corners of my mouth twitched downward. I furiously wiped my finger in the grass over and over and all around. I held my victimized appendage out to my side for the remainder of the walk until I could get home and scrub it in boiling water. I also managed to fold the bag and hold it way out in front until I found a garbage can to toss it in.
Regardless of the traumatic experience I still carry a bag to clean up after my dog, I do inspect for holes though.
Written By: Mark Koning