As it’s my blog, I can write whatever I like I guess.
So this is about dog shit.
Dog shit.
I have two dogs. Colin and Frank.
I don’t walk them as much as I should and that makes me feel guilty. But that’s another story.
Anyhow, this is a question for all dog owners. And, once you see where this is going, maybe non dog owners too.
Have you ever picked up, willingly and with no fuss or self-aggrandising, another dog’s shit?
I have. More than once and – on and off – for a long time now.
For one reason.
It’s wrong that dog shit should be left around for people to stand in/kids to fall in/toddlers to play with.
That’s it.
Choices.
I choose not to do any of these things:
- Walk on by and call the dog a dirty sod. Under my breath or to my friends or partner.
- Walk on by and call the dog owner a dirty sod. Under my breath or to my friends or partner.
- Pick the dog shit up and tell the world, ‘I picked up another dog’s dog shit today’ to make me seem like a good guy. Remember, I’ve done this for years.
The point of this post?
We’re surrounded by other people’s dogshit.
And homelessness.
And bullying.
And older people crossing a busy road.
And someone being cruel to their dog.
How about you just walk over and step in every now and then?
Either on a micro or macro level. Sandwiches for homeless people or voting for a government that (we hope) gives a shit about homeless people are both pulling in the same direction.
Elbow out of the way those moaning and blaming and pointing and taking selfies, pick up the dog shit, put it in the bin, glare a bit at the idiots if you must – then get on with your day.
I just wanted to say that, whether you agree with the exact sentiment here or not, walking on by is not an option any more. For us or for our kids, actually.
And doing it because it’s good for business will, I hope, soon be seen as just as weak.
Sainsbury’s adding information to their packaging about what food is best for a food bank is not what I mean.
Sainsbury’s invisibly giving and doing something meaningful and permanent for the homeless or underpriviledged with (say) £100,000,000 of their £400,000,000 annual profits – is.
Change.
Stopping and making a change because you know damn well that something is just plain wrong or unkind is where it’s at.
And we should feel privileged as we do it.
We are so exceptionally lucky to have the opportunity to be a part of the change we want to see.
