Tips for a Safe Halloween

I have two tips for Halloween safety this year:

1. Dog owners: Pick up after your dogs.

2. Parents: Make sure that's really a Tootsie Roll your child is eating.

I've developed this handy graphic to help you remember.

Keep a close eye on your children, canine or human, this Halloween.

You can find more info about the graphic I used for this in an earlier post.  The campaign stirred up some controversy in the UK when several towns used the image to try and shock their residents into being more diligent about picking up after their dogs, so I've adapted it for Halloween.

Hobart Street Woods in Quincy, MA

A sign posted at Hobart Street Woods, Quincy, Massachusetts.  Taken October 21, 2013

I found this sign while riding my bike with my son.  We were riding along, exploring some of the side streets that we pass but never use, and I noticed a large, fenced-in wooded area.  We did a loop around it and I stopped on Belmont Street to get this picture.  While I was there a woman who lived across the street was going in her house and she asked me what I was doing.  I stuttered for a little bit while I tried to figure out how I was going to respond, and eventually told her it was an internet thing, and that we put pictures of "clean up after your dog signs" on the internet.  She stopped caring the second I said it was an internet thing, and warned me several times about the poison ivy that was all around where I was.  There is a sidewalk-width patch of grass and brush just outside the fence, and the woman told me that lots of people walk their dogs there and she always warns them about the poison ivy.  "It's all over there" she told me, perhaps to keep people from loitering near her property.  She definitely thought we were weird.

I looked it up on google maps and discovered it's called the Hobart Street Woods.  We circled it once and didn't see any way in; it seems to be just an area of woods that's completely fenced in.  I'll have to investigate it further another time.

Wordless Wednesday

At the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton Massachusetts

Dog Doo in Charleston, South Carolina

This past weekend I attended a wedding in Charleston, SC, which was a beautiful city.  At least the area where we stayed and where the wedding was; I also remember the beginning of town from the taxi and it wasn't without its keg and party centers.  The people were all very friendly and polite, and we saw lots of dogs in the city.  I only found one poop to photograph, and I wonder if it's because everyone is so polite they wouldn't even consider leaving it for someone else to step in.  Or it could have been because the area was so fancy.  Either way, fun city.

Dog doo in Charleston, SC

#ScoopThatPoop Poetry Contest

This month's #ScoopThatPoop blog hop is a poetry contest, featuring poems about dog poo.  Mine is entitled, "It's Getting Dark" and I'll save my disclaimers for the end.


It's Getting Dark


It's getting dark

I want to stay out and play,
but slowly
the world gets darker.

I stepped in the smelly dirt
and Baba helped me wipe it in the grass.

He showed me how to wash my hands in a rain puddle
and hang from the monkey bars.

Before everything got fuzzy we went to the park all the time
but now we see the doctor more
and Mama cries

but I still can feel the warmth of the sun.




The poem was a bit melodramatic.  I want you to be able to put your own meaning to the words before I explain what I had in mind, so at some later date I'll share more about what I was going for.  I in no way mean to trivialize anyone's experience with this subject, and I myself have not experienced this.

Take a look at some of the other entries in the poetry contest.  Most seem more lighthearted than It's Getting Dark, and there are lots of pictures of cute dogs to look at.

Aparna Nancherla defines the "New York Moment"

Here's some funny commentary from Aparna Nancherla about what constitutes a "New York Moment."  The production company is called "Above Average," and they seem to do some pretty funny things.  This video only qualifies for my site because it incorporates dog poop, but some of the recommendations afterward are great too.

Here's the info straight from YouTube:

Published on Oct 22, 2013
In the premiere episode of Storytime, comedienne Aparna Nancherla recounts a New York Moment that almost turns out deadly...

SUBSCRIBE to Above Average Network: http://bit.ly/LlHUTM
TWEET This Video: http://bit.ly/15YsTQU
SHARE This Video on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/177VmVv


Director: Chioke Nassor
Writer/Performer: Aparna Nancherla

Producer: Julie Miller
Cinematographer: Tyler Ribble
Production Sound: Chris Schneider
Editor: Jenny Filippazzo
Music: Tim Bright
Production Design: Kayla Nadel-Lamotta & Kelly Harper
Featured Extras: Steven Stover & Jake Willet

Above Average Producer: Josh Poole

Waste Reduction Week from MMSB

Here's a tweet that I discovered that led me to a Waste Reduction Week campaign in Canada, or more specifically Newfoundland.  The tweet suggests using bread bags to pick up after your dog, which is a fantastic idea.  Rather than purchasing or ordering bags that were manufactured specifically to pick up dog poop, save a step and use a bag that's already in your possession!

Pick it up, literally. Bread bags make great dog poop bags. Share your NEW habit to win: http://t.co/G7LynDuFTU #WRW2013
— Our Greener Future (@mmsbnl) October 22, 2013

Cathedral of Saint John the Divine's Dog Poop Signs

At the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York they've put up new signs to get people to clean up after their dogs, and as you may have guessed, they take a decidedly religious tone.  See for yourself:

Image found at http://www.wired.com/design/2013/10/this-nyc-church-is-waging-a-holy-war-on-dog-poop/

Image found at http://www.wired.com/design/2013/10/this-nyc-church-is-waging-a-holy-war-on-dog-poop/

Image found at http://www.wired.com/design/2013/10/this-nyc-church-is-waging-a-holy-war-on-dog-poop/

Image found at http://www.wired.com/design/2013/10/this-nyc-church-is-waging-a-holy-war-on-dog-poop/

Image found at http://www.wired.com/design/2013/10/this-nyc-church-is-waging-a-holy-war-on-dog-poop/

I included this one because I love the font.  Image found at http://www.wired.com/design/2013/10/this-nyc-church-is-waging-a-holy-war-on-dog-poop/

This story came to my attention through this article at Wired.com

Wordless Wednesday

dogpoopproject.com

X-Factor and Dog Shit

I've discovered, through my investigations on twitter, that there is some kind of correlation between dog poop and the British TV show "X-Factor."  It could be that they talk about dog doo on the show a lot, or there are a lot of dogs on the show who end up pooping on stage.  Or it could be that "dog shit" is a popular expression in the UK.  In any case, check out the X-Factor and Dog Shit page, you'd be surprised how often it comes up.  Here is but a sample of what awaits you:

Ellie Goulding showing us why people usually mime on xfactor #DogShit
— Chris Thomas (@chris_thomas8) October 13, 2013

NMSU Students Living in Dog Poop

New Mexico State University students set up a mock apartment with filthy conditions to practice gathering evidence in child abuse cases.  I'm sure part of the training involves photographing the evidence, so NMSU students learning about child advocacy are also learning to take pictures of dog doo-doo.  I would be happy at any time to come out to New Mexico and lend what expertise I have in the field of dog doo photography to the program, although up to this point it hasn't been for anything so serious.  It is important for childrens' playgrounds to be free of dog poop, but it is even more important in their homes.


Here's the info straight from KRQE News 13:

LAS CRUCES (KRQE) - The scene looks horrific.
 
Rats, dog poop, bugs and weapons were all found inside a four-bedroom college apartment where children live. But it is all fake.

There was a mock house on the New Mexico State University campus, where trainees and child advocacy studies students practiced collecting evidence in child abuse cases.
 
The Southwest Region National Child Protection Training Center based at NMSU trains attendees from San Diego to San Antonio.
 
They say training, like this, is badly needed to protect the children.

Republicans Less Popular Than Dog Poop

The Huffington Post did a survey that found that the U.S. Congress is less popular than dog poop, and in this clip Democrat Alan Grayson (9th District Florida) tries to convince the house they should resolve the government shutdown ASAP.  My personal take on the shutdown is that everyone is so quick to point fingers and slow to get to work.  Dog poop comes up 2:59 in and before he finishes the chairman interrupts.  The chairman interrupts him several times as he lists all the silly things found more popular than congress in the Huffington Post poll that first broke this story.  It's funny to watch.

Dog Doogity

This is a real music video that parodies a now classic song, seamlessly incorporating dog doo into it.  I found this with the help of youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com, a blog by the owner of two Dachshunds who was involved in the production.  Youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com is worth checking out, and (if it isn't apparent) the author has a good sense of humor.

Here's some more information pulled straight from youtube:

We made this video to help raise awareness about how cleaning up your dog poop will improve water quality in Puget Sound (http://pugetsoundstartshere.org). So pick-up that doo! And learn more about what you can do to help Puget Sound at http://ScoopPoop.org


FYI, this music video is a spoof of Blackstreet's 90's hit song "No Diggity" (see it at http://youtu.be/3KL9mRus19o)

Check out the "Dog Doogity" Poop Pick-up Dance here:
http://youtu.be/XPnq3vkK9wE

Behind the Scenes and Outtakes from the "Dog Doogity" video shoot here:
http://youtu.be/MzYnyTt26rU

Subscribe! http://youtube.com/subscription_cente...
And don't forget to Rate/Comment!

Thanks!
-Pantless Knights

CREDITS:
Starring Martin Luther (http://youtube.com/martianluther) and Mishel Prada
Featured Dogs: "Lola" and "Ranger"
Dancers: Paul Benshoof, Marissa Benshoof, Andrea Benshoof, Megan Ryan, Meghan Doyle

Created by Seedwell / Pantless Knights
Directed by Peter Furia
Produced by Peter Furia, Beau Lewis and David Fine
with funding from the Puget Sound Starts Here campaign and the Washington State Department of Ecology.
Line Produced by Kimi Milo
Lyrics written by Beau Lewis
Instrumental by Jeff Kite
Director of Photography: Shawn Anderson
Dance Scene DP: Tyler McPherron
1st Assistant Camera: Alan Certeza
Steadicam: Chris Duerkopp
Grip: Kyle Daley
PA's: Katie Furia and Bryn Anderson
Dance Choreography by Paul Benshoof
Song Performed by Martin Luther

OUR FACEBOOK
http://facebook.com/pantlessknights
OUR TWITTER
http://twitter.com/pantlessknights

© 2011 Pantless Knights / Seedwell
Contact us at info[at]seedwell.com

LYRICS
INTRO
You know what,
I like the Puget Sound,
Dog doogity, no doubt, uh!
Play on Puget
Play on Puget
Yo dog dropped a deuce!
VERSE
Doggy get down, good dog
Baby got her walkin through Seatown
And all around the Puget Sound
Cover much ground, she ain't a hound from the pound
In the rain, it's a good day
Each and every day, the Northwest way
The girl and her dog, they were fine (wow)
Until they left a doodie, that's a crime (bow wow)
East side to the West side
Pushin I-5, take a ferry ride
I hope she got treats in the stash
Bacon gives her gas
Fast when it comes to the snacks
I noticed that dance
It's on when she kicks like a rabbit
Doggy, when you do your doo, I'm gonna help you
Can I get down so I can
CHORUS
I like the way you walk it
Dog doogity
We've got to bag it up (repeat 4x)
BRIDGE
Hey yo x4
Hey yo, lets keep this clean
Hey yo x4
Pick it up! Pick it up! Keep it green
Hey yo x4
You don't want to swim in poo
Hey yo x4, Heeeeeey
CHORUS
I like the way you walk it
Dog doogity, we've got to bag it up (repeat 4x)

Wordless Wednesday

Tweet from David Stinemetze ‏@DavidStinemetze

I think I'm going to start posting my favorite tweets that I find in addition to the archive in the above menu.  I think this one is funny because in my head I pictured a German Shepard wearing a suit with glasses and a briefcase arriving to work in his/her BMW, gaining access to the building using an electronic keycard, then nonchalantly dropping trou in the lobby and leaving this:

Who let their dog poop in a office building? Seriously, how did that get in here? This building requires key pic.twitter.com/2ijjxnY7l4
— David Stinemetze (@DavidStinemetze) October 7, 2013

I wanted to find out more from David Stinemetze, and learned there's video footage of the perpetrator:

@PODogDooDoo did you see the video too?
— David Stinemetze (@DavidStinemetze) October 8, 2013

It's hard to see his face, but if you live in San Antonio and recognize this man please contact David Stinemetze (@DavidStinemetze):


I'm not sure the dog's owner is looking when the dog poops, but that's no excuse!  It's every dog owner's responsibility to be aware of their dog at all time and clean up when they poop!  I suggested Stinemetze forward the video to his local news, but he didn't seem too optimistic about their using it.

@PODogDooDoo I actually did but don't think they're gonna do anything with it
— David Stinemetze (@DavidStinemetze) October 8, 2013

National Walk Your Dog Week

www.walkyourdogweek.com

It's National Walk Your Dog Week in the United States, and according to www.walkyourdogweek.com, "National Walk Your Dog Week was founded in 2010 by Celebrity Pet Lifestyle Expert and Animal Rescuer Colleen Paige, to bring awareness to the ever increasing problem of canine behavior issues and canine obesity in America."  Raising awareness is what we're all about here at Pictures of Dog Doo-Doo, so we're happy to join the discussion!  Canine obesity?  Not my problem.  Canine behavior issues?  Also, not as much my problem.  Owner behavior issues?  That's my speciality.


So naturally, our focus is on cleaning up after your dog when on a walk.  To that end I've boiled down all the tips and advice into these three simple points:

A German Hundetoilette

1. Bring bags

Most responsible dog owners use some kind of bag to pick up after their dog.  The jury is still out as to what type of bag has the least environmental impact, but the bag needs to be sturdy enough to prevent any accidents.

This German dog-toilet has a diagram of the proper method for cleaning up after your dog with a plastic bag.  Some communities have these installed in parks and dog walk areas for your convenience.  This one even supplies bags for you!


2. Bring extra bags

Maybe your dog goes once on your walk.  Maybe your dog goes twice.  Maybe you pick up someone else's turd you find along your walk.  Maybe you find a winning lottery ticket on the ground right next to that poop.  It never hurts to be prepared!



3. Dispose of the poop properly

I see so many pictures of bagged turds hanging from fences, trees, or otherwise tossed aside, when the last step is the easiest one!  Throw that poop in the trash!  Some communities have special receptacles just for dog poop, and some even harvest methane and fertilizer from the decomposing material.  There are numerous campaigns that try to reinforce the idea of putting the bag in a bin or trash can, even if you have to transport it some distance.  Check out these vehicles doing just that, just hope they don't accidentally turn on that back wiper:

Even police dogs have to go sometimes

They must have a few dogs

Take a look at some of these other pet blogs participating in the Walk Your Dog Week Blog Hop to hear some different perspectives on taking your dog for a walk (and to see some very cute dogs).

Do You Dump Dog Poop In Strangers' Trash?

Here's a question from twitter that I thought was noteworthy, because I think people have lots of different opinions about the subject. I don't think it would bother me if there were other peoples' dog poop in my trash barrel, but I can see where it might seem like a violation. What do you think?

Is putting bagged dog poop in a stranger's outdoor garbage can illegal/immoral?
— Seth Rosenthal (@seth_rosenthal) October 7, 2013

@seth_rosenthal It drives me CRAZY when I find foreign dog poop bags in my garbage, but I can't figure out if it's justified or not...
— Justin Baldinger (@J_Baldinger) October 7, 2013

Man Caught Dumping Dog Poop Onto Another Man's Car

I think the title for this one says it all, but in this footage from a dashcam in NYC you can clearly see this man empties the bag of dog poop onto the car.  It's been happening so much to this car owner that he set up a dashcam to catch the perpetrator.  You would think there must be some long-standing rivalry between the owner of the dog and the owner of the car, but according to this article the car owner doesn't recognize the man.  I appeal to the fans of Pictures of Dog Doo-Doo in New York to keep their eyes open for the man seen below:

Hunter Harris's post on Vine

Here's another dog doo smack cam shot, this time from Hunter Harris.  I don't want to spoil the mystery, but you can clearly see fingerprints in the "dog poop" from when it was molded into its current shape.  It's still a very good effort, and it's never a good idea to smear real dog poop in your friend's face.  It came with the caption "#smackcam #dogshit JakeWilliams Justin Hayden."  What a cute puppy!

Infographic from PoopBuddy

Here's a fun info graphic from PoopBuddy, a site that sells dog poop bags and products.

This image can be found at http://poopbuddy.com/pages/free-infographic-dog-poop-and-water-pollution