Poop and Snow
I grew up in Montreal. It is one of the snowiest large cities in the world and, due to this snow, lots of sand and salt are thrown onto city streets and sidewalks to prevent cars and pedestrians from slipping and sliding and also to minimize ice and freezing. The result of all of this is that when spring arrives and the sun starts warming the city up again, the snows recede and what is left behind is a heck of a lot of grime.....and dog poop. Every spring the aroma of the city changes. Layers of dog poop start thawing as they get revealed by the disappearing snows of the winter. Watch your step and breathe through your mouths. Yuck.
This winter Vancouver got a lot more snow than normal. We had about fifty centimetres in our neighbourhood. The city is not well equipped to clear the snow and so, four weeks later, there are still some snow banks. There are still some shaded streets with snow covered sidewalks. The city looks dirty and grimy and there is dog poop. Lots of it.
During other seasons we just do not see as much dog excrement on the sidewalks. People do a decent job of picking up their pet's droppings. But when it snows it seems to stop and we end up with shit covered paths. Why is that? Is it more complicated to pick up the crap off of snow than off of grass, asphalt or concrete?
Dog owners out there help me understand. Oh, of course, it isn't YOU. You pick up in the snow. It must be the other canine lovers out there. Oh it isn't YOU either? I love a good mystery.
Comments
Also some dog owners pick up their dogs excrements only if there is someone around, have you noticed that we never see the offenders! And how about dogs's urine? Pet owners, do they pick up the liquid stuff? It makes the lawn greener, doesn't it? And on the snow it makes real "beautiful" yellow spots also!
But the problem is much more profound...Humans domesticate every living creature they can catch and put them in captivity. Canines are the most visible example, in Canada there is roughly one pet for every second household which means more than 15 millions pets! But are pets "real dogs"? Not so, they lost most of their identity. Pets are dogs mentally and physically sick thanks to the human company. Many people are of the opinion that the family is not complete unless there is a pet around. But don't get me wrong I like dogs, "real ones"... Such as those that help blind people, those who help to catch criminals, those who help save lives, Those are real dogs. But don't get me wrong again, I have nothing against pets themselves, they are not the ones who created the "pet race"...