My perfect winter is one with mountains of snow causing havoc for drivers and people pleading for warm weather as soon as possible.  This year has not even come close to what I’d prefer.  We’ve had large amounts of snow, then temperatures in 60′s and 70′s, then back to blizzard conditions.  It’s actually the worst way to experience winter.  The period between warm and the cold is wet, muddy, and rainy.  

I was out with my dogs for a walk today, temperature around 60 degrees, and I noticed more and more of something my neighborhood consistently keeps under control.  Mounds and mounds of it, to be more precise.  Almost ever little grass patch between the sidewalk and the road was filled with pile upon pile of old wet dog shit.  The saying, “would you like a little coffee with your cream?” should have been changed to “would you like a little yard with your dog shit?”

I know every once in awhile you forget to take a bag with you or maybe it’s just not the type that can be picked up, but this wasn’t the case.  I’ve come up with some techniques people in my area are using to keep you doggy do do on the down low.  

The cover of dark is a great time for the negligent dog walker.  The entire neighborhood is your dog’s wasteland.  Chances are you will run into another dog walker, but they’re not going to be carrying a flash light, scouring the road for your dog’s mess and asking questions like, “what’s in the bag?”  
I don’t believe this is the only source of the problem.  Snowy conditions are also great.  Don’t think I haven’t thought about kicking some snow on those steaming piles and continuing on.  It’s probably the easiest time and looks like a lot of people have taken advantage of it.  The final way takes a more audacious personality.  They are the hardest to catch, especially in the fall.  I call them “fakers.”  Here’s how it works: if anyone is watching, they make sure you see them take a bag out of their pocket.  Next, they kneel down and take their time like they are being very thorough.  In reality what’s happening is they kneel down, cover the evidence, and grab a handful of clean leaves of snow, tie it up their bag and they’re on their way.  I know it’s hard, but can we try a little harder next year?