Article Updated: March 24, 2018 They don't call our home town, Seattle, the Emerald City for nothing. We have a lot of green space in town, have more than more than 6,000 acres of parks within the city limits, and are surrounded by sparkling waters and lush, green forests. There is a lot of nature and beauty to appreciate and be thankful for here. It's because of this natural beauty that … [Read more...]
To Scoop or Not Scoop the Poop? That is the Question.
Bring up the issue of what to do with dog poop in any group, especially a group about hiking with dogs, and a heated discussion usually breaks out. There are different views on how to "dispose" of it and there are very passionate people on both sides of the issue. One belief is that dog poop is natural and should be left on the ground to let nature take care of it. People in this camp believe … [Read more...]
Celebrating National Trails Day by Picking Up Other People’s Trash
This past Saturday, National Trails Day, we did our part to help preserve our trails. Through our Seattle Active Dogs Meetup group (I organize a group for all dogs - not just Doxies - now too), I organized a small group to hike the Lake Twentytwo trail and pick up trash. The last time we hiked there, the trail was super, super crowded and I was horrified by the amount of trash I saw. I used … [Read more...]
Protect Your Pet by Choosing “Safer Choice” Cleaners
I certainly don't clean my house or car as much as I should. The two things I do most often though are mop our floors with wood cleaner and wipe dog snot off my car windows with glass cleaner. I try to keep Chester and Gretel off of the floor when it is still wet but that is near impossible so the cleaner can get on their paws. I usually clean my car windows while Chester, Gretel and I are … [Read more...]
Dog Owners Who Feel Peer Pressure More Likely to Pick Up Dog Poop
Todays post is part of the Scoop That Poop Blog Hop (click the link to view all of the participants) hosted by Sugar the Golden Retriever. We invite you to join us to educate and raise awareness to make a positive change in the world, #Scoop That Poop. Follow @Scoop_That_Poop on twitter and check out Scoop That Poop Campaign site. Many people think that dog poop is natural and that it will "go … [Read more...]
Who Are These People Who Don’t Pick Up Their Dog’s Poop?
I don't know who these people are. I know they exist because of the abandoned dog poop piles I see. I find abandoned dog poop piles more often in the City than I do in the woods...and a lot of times sitting in the middle of the sidewalk. Who ARE these people? I never see them myself. What do these people tell themselves to make leaving dog poop on the ground ok? Do they live in a vacuum so … [Read more...]
Dog Poop Is Natural, Right?
Well, POOPING is natural. The effects dog poop can have on people and the environment is not. Yesterday I ranted a little about pet owners leaving dog poop on hiking trails. Well, specifically, the rant was about people scooping the poop but then leaving the little plastic baggies on the side of the trail. I do sometimes see naked poop piles on the side of the trail too though (or the sidewalk … [Read more...]
Yes, “Pack it Out” of the Wilderness Means Your Poop Bags Too
Back when I used to have an office job I was called the poop queen. I am sure you can imagine all kinds of scenarios that would lead to that nickname but I assure you the real reason is far less amusing. I was a Water Quality Specialist in charge of making sure the lake, stream and ocean water in our community stayed clean (or at least making sure it didn't get any worse). In my 10-year career, … [Read more...]
Poo 1, Me 0
We can’t be a winner every day. I have been picking up dog poop for 9 years without issue. Recently I had to come to terms with me mortality. We were out for a hike and, of course, Gretel waited to take a poop until we were 3 miles up the trail and nowhere near a garbage can. As some of you know, it is very annoying when your dog refuses to go poop at the trailhead but instead waits until … [Read more...]
How Can They Label Dog Poop Bags Biodegradable?
When I exposed the Myth of the Biodegradable poop bag in Part 1 and Part 2, a few of you commented about the “fancy marketing”. I am sure a few more of you wondered how a company can label their poop bags biodegradable or compostable when they don’t actually biodegrade in landfills? “Biodegradable” and “compostable” are terms that can be applied to a product if they meet the standards of the … [Read more...]
The Myth of the Biodegradable Poop Bag – Part 2
Where did I leave off? Oh yes. In my last post, The Myth of the Biodegradable Poop Bag – Part 1, you just threw the poop bag in the trash. Here is where I get all “science-y” on you. In the old landfill days, people dumped stuff in a pit in the ground. Much of the stuff decayed, releasing methane and other gasses into the atmosphere. When rain passed through the decaying matter produced … [Read more...]
The Myth of the Biodegradable Poop Bag – Part 1
We love to get out in nature so we are all for bettering the environment. As written in my previous post, Does a Dachshund Poo In the Woods?, I am a water quality specialist by trade and very passionate about the issue of dog poop. One hot button issue for me is the biodegradable poop bag. I read a lot of articles touting their praises but I want to scream because there is so much … [Read more...]
Hiking with Your Dog? Pick Up Your Dog Poop Please
Yes, yes they do. Do you pick up after your dog? You should. Here is why and how. One of my many hats is a Water Quality Specialist – the streams and lakes kind of water. I help keep the world’s waters clean. This makes me very passionate about poo, or more specifically, what you do with it. I am not afraid to speak my mind about but either. It makes me cringe when I see a pile of dog poo left … [Read more...]
