Hey, That's Just Not My Bag, OK?

Something has to be done about this business of people walking around with dog poop in little plastic bags. Maybe this happens in your neighborhood too -- some otherwise normal person follows his or her dog around, waits for it to poop -- and then cleans up the poop, putting it a little bag that wobbles and sways around like some kind of lucky charm all the way home. Think about it: Adults---Carrying dog poop around---In little bags. Would your dog do this for you? How did we let things get this far gone? I was going to suggest that dog poop carriers keep some kind of larger bag such as a purse or satchel in which to place the little bag out of sight. I realize, though, that much of this activity has to do with making a cultural statement: “I am taking my dog out for a walk and even though my dog poops all over the neighborhood I pick it up as a good neighbor should. You can tell this by looking at this little bag of poop that I dangle in a conspicuous manner.” The other thing is -- I think the dogs themselves are embarrassed by all of this. They can’t tell you, of course, but how are dogs to comport themselves with dignity knowing that their owners (sorry, “human companions”) are waving their (the dogs’, that is) poop around for everybody to see? So the whole thing is pathetic all around. Now I don’t like dogs very much and as you might guess I don’t like dog poop even more. But I wonder if things might be more pleasant if, rather than having to watch people carrying dog poop, I were to occasionally spot or even step in some dog poop on my own lawn, just like in the olden days.