I was in the front yard working on my list of honey-do’s when I noticed an odor that was stronger than anything I normally produce. Turns out that as I was cleaning the sidewalk I took a fatal step and landed in Buster’s revenge.

My neighbor has confessed to me that he lets his dogs, Buster and Gigi, run loose around the neighborhood late at night when the streets are empty. They get their exercise, do their business and come home. Unfortunately, they occasionally fertilize my lawn during their late night romps.

When I told my neighbors that I have noticed their dogs’ presents in my lawn, they have apologized but they continue to let their dogs run loose and do their business around the neighborhood. This is certainly convenient for them, fun for the dogs, but not such a great thing for those of us who want to walk in our yards without constantly looking down.

Most dog owners love their dogs like parents love their children. They pamper them, buy toys and doggy treats for them, and give them the run of their homes. What I don’t get is why a small percentage of them think its okay to let their dogs do their business on someone else’s property and not clean up after them?

While I am clearly not a dog owner, I do have a toddler who is still in diapers. Can you imagine the outrage if upon changing my daughter’s diaper, I left it in my neighbor’s front yard rather than disposing of it properly? Or maybe after dinner, I should simply send her outside to find the nearest bush before getting her ready for bed? This is clearly not something a good parent would do.

While it takes a village to raise a child, it unfortunately seems to also take a village to clean up after dogs with inconsiderate owners. What ever happened to the pooper scooper?