A dog's business

Does your neighbor's dog do its business in your yard? Are you tired of stepping around piles when walking?

Speak up. Kindly, gently, not in anger, let people know you want them to take responsibility for their dog's behavior.

This spring, while camping in southern Utah, I observed three separate women walk by with a dog on a leash, look around, unleash the dog to do its business and start to walk away.

Each time, I nicely offered a bag. The first woman said I saved her a trip to go get one, the second quietly accepted it, and the third professed to have forgotten and wasn't it a lovely day? No harsh words and the job got done.

I think most dog owners are responsible. Those who aren't may not be reading newspapers, so let's help them out with a little nudge.

Ask dog walkers if they have a bag. Carry an extra and offer it. Demonstrate how to use it, if need be. Put your hand in a bag like a mitt, pick it up, pull it through and tie a knot in the top. No smell, no mess and easy to carry to the nearest trash can.

Having a dog park in Whitefish will help elevate pet responsibility through learning opportunities and peer pressure.

Where's the proposed dog park? Mark your calendar for Sunday, June 29, and come to WAGFEST 2008 at Armory Park to see what it's all about.

From 10 a.m. to noon, you can learn from professional dog trainers, and from noon to 2 p.m. there will be food and fun dog and family activities.

Kerrie Byrne is a resident of Whitefish.