I really, really do love old people. I think a society that stops caring for its elderly is one step away from complete implosion. My grandpa was a World War II veteran, and I couldn't get enough of listening to his stories. I volunteered in a nursing home during high school and (once I got used to that one half-bald lady who thought it was hilarious to repeatedly crash into the backs of my legs with her wheelchair) I enjoyed it immensely. Old people have so much life and so much wisdom to impart, that it is worth taking the extra time to let them get out what they have to say.
So, when I moved into a neighborhood that had a lot of old people in it, I didn't think twice.
Many had a soft spot in their hearts for an excess of yard art and peach colored exterior paint, but their yards and homes were very well-cared for.
It was alright that they gave my kids ball point pens or dinner mints at Halloween.
It was not quite as alright, but almost endearing, that one particular older gentleman took it upon himself to be the neighborhood **Snow Nazi**-- letting everyone know that he use to work for the city and the PROPER way to shovel snow off the sidewalk was back onto your yard and not into the gutter (never mind that this meant standing in the gutter full of melted snow to accomplish....).
~But there's one old people thing going down that's not so endearing.....~
Involving the neighbors I have dubbed "the poodle people" because they take their orangish-colored teacup poodle out for a daily walk around the block.
I think the walking part is great--everyone needs to keep moving. However, their doggie has taken quite the liking to pooping and /or peeing in my yard every. single. day.. Including when it's very obvious that I am looking out my window at them. They just wave as the little thing does his business, then walk on. No picking up anything. It leaves a chronic dead spot in my grass during the summer, and a stinky spot that has to be avoided (unless I go get the Wal*Mart bag and clean it up myself) the rest of the year. Just so ya know: Cleaning up someone else's dog's poop is like cleaning up another person's child's vomit.....not fun.
I think the walking part is great--everyone needs to keep moving. However, their doggie has taken quite the liking to pooping and /or peeing in my yard every. single. day.. Including when it's very obvious that I am looking out my window at them. They just wave as the little thing does his business, then walk on. No picking up anything. It leaves a chronic dead spot in my grass during the summer, and a stinky spot that has to be avoided (unless I go get the Wal*Mart bag and clean it up myself) the rest of the year. Just so ya know: Cleaning up someone else's dog's poop is like cleaning up another person's child's vomit.....not fun.I don't want to be a meanie. Especially not a meanie to old people and their teenie dog. But I am kinda bothered by this. What do I do? Anything? Nothing? Antifreeze? (I'm KIDDING about that....sheesh!)
Let me know---or tell me about old people you love---either way, leave a comment.... because it's Monday ......and I need 'em :) .
43 comments:
i've been reading your blog for awhile now and LOVE it! I thought I would finally leave some comment love.
What you need is one of these signs!
http://www.dogguide.net/blog/2008/05/this-is-not-your-dogs-bathroom-10-anti-pooping-signs/
HAHA. They crack me up! Just stick it in your yard for a week or two and see if they get the hint!
Oh dear - what a predicament! I have no good advice at all... I'm totally stumped. I mean, they see you and smile and wave?... They probably won't get it (or just won't care) if you say something. It would be so much easier to take care of this if it were the punk kid down the street (*sigh*).
Good luck!
It's Monday? Oh. I guess it is!
I suppose the major malfunction here is that they can't bend over to pick it up, thus, they take their little poodle out to doodle in places that they won't have to smell later. :) There is always the obvious answer: barbed wire and German shepherds, but I see you as the more spunky unique answer type. Like...
who actually goes out and chats with them now and then and gives them cookies and offers a little doggy treat to Schnitzel now and again. Perhaps then, due to your overwhelming kindness, your charming smile, and the incentive of future cookies, they will be hesitant to allow Schnitzel to leave wontons on your lawn. Hmmm?
I see you as the type who would actually enjoy your chats with your Q-tipped neighbors. I know I would!
I don't know if you can do anything. I have the same problem with my neighbor and we just flick the crap over in their yard. The other alternative was to buy one of those electronic pest repellers but it's not the dogs fault...it's the owners who need to get a clue!
I say you get one of those doggie signs, or make your own. Put a stake in the grass and staple some baggies to it. Make a note to use a bag to take the dog do do off your property. I'd be SO annoyed. Especially since they ARE old and you feel guilty saying anything to them.
You must write a book!! The way you write is just too much!!! I'm serious!!
This is just one more reason that I live in the country! I feel sorry for ya, that is terribly rude!
Well, you could make a cute little sign that says, Pick up your POOP!, cover it with a plastic bag to keep it nice and dry, glue it to a popsicle stick and plunk it down into your grass. At least that's what all the old people in MY neighborhood do.
Yes - a yard sign! Preferably one with lots of profanity in it so, you know, the oldsters will know you mean business.
Or, if you happen to own a buffalo, you could walk it over and have it poop in their yard every day. Believe me, that's hard to ignore.
...A.
Leave a little sign in your yard. Right in the spot where it usually goes. It should say something like "Please clean up after your animals," or "Anything your pet leaves on this lawn will be promptly returned to your sidewalk." That might work. It would probably only take a few times of finding their dogs poop on their front step before they started cleaning it up. And, if you leave little bags on the sign it might fix the problem. Maybe they just always forget to bring a baggie for it. Good luck!
I like the buffalo idea. But I can't remember you mentioning your pet buffalo. Therefore, I like the cookies and dog biscuits idea.
you can buy animal repellants at any pet store (petsmart petco whatevs)
sprinkle it on your yard (can't be rained on) and the cute little baby can sniff it and pass on buy.
I would run out and sprinkle it right as you see the old person coming that way you can strike up a conversation and SAY something (be brave!) to the little old person. Have a suggestion about where they might take their dog to do it's duty where it won't bother anyone.
Make up a story bout your kid stepping in dog poop if you have to. My total advice...STAND UP! and SAY SOMETHING
I am falling in the floor laughing! Oh my, what a problem. I hate dog poop and I have dogs. But, we live in the country so poop is not a problem.
Ok, for your issue; I think a little sign would do. Sweet, kind, to the point. Like, "Kiddos play here, please pick up Fluffies poo!"
Lisa Q
that is when you run out the door with a wal-mart bag at the ready saying, "It looks as though you forgot a bag to clean up your dog's buisness. Here's one handy for you." Who knows what they'll choose to do after that. my experience with the elderly (both in a retirement home and with my own grandparents) is that when they reach that age, they just don't care any more. they've spent a lifetime worrying about everyone and everything and they just don't care if their dog poops in your yard any more (or maybe their hips won't allow them to bend down and pick it up.....). and they don't care if they tell you off b/c someone obviously needs to (i'm speaking figuratively here, not literally---esp. not to you jennifer!) they just don't care.....it's funny for the most part, but sometimes can be a little infuriating. :) good luck!
Ewwww! I am grossed out by what goes on in your yard. We have a cat that roams free and does its business in our flower beds. It is gross and not cool but I think for some reason that dog is way worse!
J - I'm a walking rug... meaning I let people run over, hurt, and use me so I can avoid things like this... I'm bad to ask advice from this way (smile). I'm to much of a peace keeper and my own personal expense of being tortured. BUT considering that most elderly are old enough to have strong opinions (I love em' too) I would think they would respect your request if you asked them to clean up after their dogs... if gone about in the right way. (take banana bread, oldies LOVE the stuff) :}
---T
What a funny post, and your photos and music add to the ambience. I volunteered in a nursing home too and loved it! Maybe your neighbors don't have any idea that they are supposed to pick up after their dog. Maybe this is a more recent idea? After all, they probably feel like it is OK because he is outside. The buffalo suggestion made me laugh, but I somehow can't picture you doing that. Maybe a friendly chat would do the trick.
You could put up a little fence - just a teeny one, you know those little wire borders? - around the front of your yard. Or, how about a "No Pooping Zone" sign? :) Peach colored exterior paint - now there's an idea. I was looking for a new color for my house. Isn't it amazing how neat they can be, though? I feel like a slob compared to older people.
Hmmmm??? I'm stumped. I mean I love old people too...and I love dogs...but I don't want their poop (the dog of course) in my yard :( ARGH! Maybe just a friendly little chat to tell them that your going to send your kids' shoes down to their house if they should step in her dog's poop :) hee hee! Good luck my friend! And thanks for my birthday wishes :)
I'm still laughing at Anna's buffalo suggestion!!
HAHAhahahahaaha!
Do keep us posted, whatever you do!
That's a hard one! I think I would make a little sign and stick it on my lawn. At least it's something, right?
XOOXXO
Jen
Hmmm....I have no idea what I would do about that, except maybe to run out and sit in your front yard every time you see him walking down the street. Maybe he wouldn't do it if he saw you? Yeah--I'm sure you want to sit out in your front yard all day. Heehee!
Well, seeing as how I'm already an ornery person and as an old lady, am going to be such a bucket of fun, I say be a little mean.
I am chicken and don't like directly approaching people, so I'd say put a sign up in your yard where the dog does it's business because that's what I'd want to do.
It could say something like, hello idiot I have children--DUH--and I don't want them walking in dog crap and HELLO?! you are KILLING my grass so could you make your dog piddle in the snow-free gutter and clean up after it's you-know-what (and here's where I'd have to strongly refrain from inserting swear word--yes I'm that grouchy sometimes) yourself or so my kids don't play in it? really work the kid factor--they have to at least have a soft spot for that right?
or, when you see them coming--if you're brave enough, which I obviously am NOT, go running out with a bag and ask them to pick it up.
and here's where I'm hoping they're not in your ward. but I guess it's worse if they're not lds because then they never might be--just because of dog poop. sad world, eh? ;)
I totally agree with the yard sign. Just make the letters large in case they have impaired eye sight due to cataracts! Love your blog by the way! I'm trying to post comments more.
Here's an idea...Make some goodies (banana bread is a good idea as mentioned) and then bring over a box of wee wee pads you can find at the local Petco or other retailer with a little note that says "We love you and your little furry friend but not so much the surprises he leaves on our lawn while you're out for a walk. We hope this might encourage him to potty at home instead." You don't necessarily even have to sign it. I think they'd get the point and you get to save your face in the end. Just an idea.
This is something that is not an old people only behavior or only dogs either for that matter.
We have some renters a couple of doors down who let their dog(s) out front to do it's duty. Because their yard is full of "mounds" it has moved down to the next few yards. It makes me so angry to go outside and have to pick up other's pets feces. I've wanted to put a sign out front saying "I don't let my dog crap in your yard, please don't let your pets crap in mine!" but was told by the hubby that wasn't very friendly/neighborly.
I have thrown cat crap back into the neighbors yard (even in the street). I've wanted to scoop up the dog poop and leave it on the neighbors porch. I've contemplated antifreeze even to the point of calling the humane society to ask what can be used, but they never returned my call. We've used that spray and no sooner did I get in my house and there was that animal, trapsing across my yard.
I wonder if you were to video tape it if you could send it in to the city for a citation. I seriously have "track marks" in my front yard after 6 1/2 years of my neighbors cats crossing into my yard to use the area around my tree. Talk about trespassing!
The only thing I haven't tried is one of those high pitch things that are to keep deer and other animals away. If I didn't have a dog myself, I would so be out there with one and wouldn't care what animals ears I was hurting.
Good luck!
What? Pooping in someone else's lawn is not okay?
Okay...I think we can all agree that there's something inside of all of us that let's us know that if we make a mess in someone else's lawn (whatever the mess) that it's just not okay. It's not your lawn; not yours to walk on, drive through, and pick the flowers (although that one is tempting sometimes) or least of all, POOP ON! I mean, even pretending that you "just didn't know" is kind of far fetched.
I did have that problem once with some new renters. They would purposely walk their dog across the street to do its business in my huge front lawn. I came out and asked politely if they would not do it because I had children, and it was killing my grass. It didn’t work. They still did it. I then walked out on another day (after watching her through the window didn't deter her) and in a more confrontational manner, told them that it was not okay to let their dog pee or poop in my lawn. The lady got offended (a mid-aged woman in her late 50’s) and said flat out, "I can do it if I want to."
I was so taken back by her brazenness that I didn't know what to do.....so I did all I could. I said, "NO YOU CAN'T!"
Yes, I am the MASTER at comebacks.
She started strutting up and down the sidewalk saying..."This is public property. I can walk up and down it all I WANT!"
I said, "Yes you may walk on the sidewalk, but your dog needs to stay out of my lawn!"
I know! Pretty brave of me, and mean!
Ohhh, I was soo mad. Just as the battle was in full throng (as I was not going to let her win), her son came out from the house. He apologized on her behalf and said she had mental problems. Then, upon hearing this, the older lady danced even more. You know that she didn't have mental issues!
I told him that I would be happy to work with anyone and do my part, as long as the dog stopped going in my lawn, and if it didn't stop, I was going to have to call the police.
Nasty ha? Just nasty!!! You know, I wish I could tie the story up in a bow, and say it ended like that, but it didn't. Here's the part where I went maybe a TAD overboard. May I hang my head a little now?
I went in my home and immediately typed up a letter explaining the incident (in a sense, I tattled on the lady who thought she could do whatever she wanted), and left it in the surrounding neighbors mailboxes (including these renter people). Yes, I know....overboard, but boy, was I steamed!
Shortly after that, the renters moved away.
Okay. Doesn't that sound like a wonderful experience!? Aren't I the beacon of an example?
I hate having that memory. I hate it. I wish there were a way to make naughty people stop doing their naughty things without having to confront them.
Is there? Do we always have to be nice to the meanies to entreat them? Do we have to be mean to the meanies and make them stop by force? The last option is confront less, to just go ahead and clean up after them you, but do we want to spend the rest of our lives letting meanies laugh at us as they take full advantage of our kindness, as if the world is their cruise ship and everyone else is to serve them?
How do you make anybody stop doing anything to you if they don't want to?
It's really a very interesting question, and when you think about it, society has struggled with it since the beginning!
Of everyone's suggestions, I liked Trish's the best. I think I could live with myself a little better knowing that I tried to create change through kindness. I guess we should start with the least intrusive method first, and then move on to nasty neighborhood letters last....
yeah....nasty neighborhood letters last.
(deleted comment was me...edited some things).
Take your dog to their yard and see how they like it? OK, that wasn't very charitable of me. I would probably just do nothing....although I don't know that that is the right thing to do.
Didn't take the time to read everyone's comments, so this may be a duplicate.
If you know where those rude people live, I would totally leave an anonymous note on their door stating your case and begging they never repeat the crime. You could threaten to have the snow nazi guy intervene too.
I realize this may be the unpopular response, but I say extend them enough grace to just let it go. I mean really it is one little pile of poop. People heap poop on us everyday and we take it, so why lash out at the little old people that probably don't even think what they are doing is rude?
Just my take. Love Wins! Extend the grace and reap your rewards in heaven.
WOW! You have got me BUSTING at the seams!!!
I gave you an award at my blog! ;-)
I'm sorry about your pooping predicament. But I love the elderly...they have such history...such great stories, and most still have a beautiful faith and hope.
Except when they drive 25 MPH in a 55 zone, and I have to say things such as, "OK, Grandpa Moses...time to kick it in high gear, dear."
Good times.
I get what you're saying!! I do! We live in a condo, downtown SLC. It's full of elderly single adults. We have very nice carpeted hallways, very appealing place to live. Until you inhale!
The lady across the hall has a little poodle that poops and pees in the hall every day!! I hate it! It stinks! It smells like a kennel...no matter HOW many times they clean the carpet. I've watched her stop as "Lady" does her business (through my peep hole). She stands there humming and then says, "All done?" And they head back to her condo!!! ARGH!
don't call your pest control company, they can not stop a dog from peeing or pooping on your yard. I had a lady call and ask me if we could do something to stop her neighbors dog from using her yard as a toilet. she also asked if there was something we could do to stop the birds from pooping on her car. so just remember Pest control takes care of bugs not stopping dogs OR birds pooping in your yard or on your cars;) Good Luck!
I say join them in the yard art department and get a little no dog pooping here sign -- I think I've seen good ones around. Perhaps that will convey the message in a clear but nonconfrontational and friendly way.
old people lover here, too. so no good suggestions. good luck... cleaning dog poo STINKS!
; )
I love your music selections. I am totally going to play your blog in my classroom!
I have NO dog advice. I would be the one who would clean it up everyday and not say a word. Which isn't the right thing to do...but in light of all the other "crap" (pardon the pun) going on the world, i figure this "crap" is something i could deal/live with.
but then again, i am not the one actually cleaning the stuff up, so it's easy for me to say that.
Oh that is so frustrating. I'm not good at saying anything.
I can't say bad things about old people, my father might follow me here and spy it.
A healthy dose of cayanne pepper along the edge of your yard should deter the poodle from sniffing around too much. I used it off the back of my apartment patio for the same reason. Worked like a charm.
If that doesn't work, let your boys do what boys do best. Send them to her yard to relieve themselves when in the hood playing. A shot of one or more of your boys peeing on their lawn may just do the trick. Of course you will have to act motified that your boys did that but we can ham it up a bit, can't we?? Or maybe a potato cannon? A spud across the bough as a warning shot would get her attention.
My thoughts exactly!! I love old people, and I love animals....but I do not cleaning up after either one. They should get a clue! We have a similar problem as we live on a street that has many people walking along the sidewalk. If I see someone let their dog stop in my grass, I step in front of the window. Usually if they see me they quickly have the dog move on. If I need to get a bigger hint across, then I shake my head "no". Occasionally someone sneaks in the grass and leaves a gift. Ugh. We are also tired of picking up cigarette butts, candy wrappers, etc. Germany is a place of clean streets, but there are many who aren't doing their part.
When we lived in the UK, I would always see these red boxes along the sidewalk with a dog pooping symbol. That is a nice way to allow dog walkers to have a place to make their deposits, eh?
hey there! i love old people! i took all our young women to an old folks home and we all had the best time! they were full of so many funny funny stories and prove that they are still valuable citizens! thanks for this post!
Post a Comment