Dear Dog Owners,
When I’m working in the parking lot (or at any other time, for that matter), I do not want to discuss dog feces.
I know what you’re carrying in the small plastic bags. I don’t want to hear about it.
I don’t want to listen to you ramble on about your dog’s ability to know exactly when you are at the midpoint of any walk so it can take a dump there and force you to carry the bag of “poop” for as long as possible.
(By the way, when did we as a society decide on “poop” as our acceptable term to use when referring to feces? Why can we not say “feces”? “Poop” may be a cute word, but using it doesn’t make bodily waste any cuter.)
When you put the little plastic bag full of your dog’s feces in the trash can, don’t tell me you’re leaving me a “present.” Don’t tell me it will be there later when I’m ready for it. You may think you’re making a funny little joke, but you’re not. You’re being gross, not charming, and I don’t want to hear it.
If you’re going to do me a favor and put the bag of doggy waste in a trash can by the restrooms instead of in the one I sit near during my shift, thank you, but don’t tell me all about it. Yes, I know shit stinks. Yes, I appreciate not having to smell shit every time someone opens the trash can. But you’re not going to get any extra heaven points if you tell me all about the great favor you’re doing me.
Hey, I know it’s embarrassing to carry around a bag full of fecal matter. That’s why we don’t need to talk about it. Here’s what you do: Walk directly to the trash can. Don’t stop to make chitchat. Open the trash can’s lid. Deposit the bag of fecal matter in the trash can. Replace the lid. Don’t say anything about what you just did! Don’t worry, I won’t say anything either. We’ll pretend it never happened. It’s ok. Some things don’t need to be discussed.
If your dog defecates anywhere in the parking lot, for goodness sake, pick up the waste and dispose of it properly. Don’t leave the feces where it fell to collect giant blue flies until I notice it and pick it up. Your dog and your dog’s feces = your responsibility.
And while I have your attention: Don’t let your dog piss on the iron ranger. I shouldn’t have to tell you that. You should pay attention to where your dog is squatting or raising a leg. But if you’re not paying attention and I ask you not to let your dog pee on the iron ranger, don’t get all offended and tell me your dog wouldn’t do that. You dog would so do that, especially if your dog is male. But we workers have to put our hands on that iron ranger when we extract the self-pay envelopes, and we’d prefer not to touch dog piss while we’re doing it.
Sincerely,
Your parking lot attendant
After picking up dog droppings for almost 60 years, I find it difficult to work up much animosity about it. The shit that people produce (in all of its forms) annoys me a lot more.
Maybe you could carry a smallish sign (or 2 or 3) to work with you, and tilt them up around the trash can nearest you: “Dog waste in that can, please →→”. American humans being what they are, some won’t do it, but the more that do, the better it would be.
The company I work for does not allow me to post any handwritten signs.
Also, most people know to put the dog waste in the cans, they just want to talk about it first. So my sign would have to say, “Please silently dispose of dog waste in the can.”
I think you have to give credit where it is due, AT LEAST the are picking up. It drives me crazy when people don’t pick up. Such a piggish way to live.
I live on the edge of an environmental reserve, birds, bunnies, some deer and the city has placed containers on the walkway for people to deposit. Easy as can be but people still leave it on the grounds. I always say something when people don’t pick up. One fat slob told me to mind my own business. He got an earful.
Yap, there are some human beings that they don’t give a rat’s about anything good, all they care about is themselves, how to make it easy on themselves, how to have an easy ride etc, etc, Sad, but unfortunetely there many of this inconsiderate type on our world.