Creature Companion - Interzoo Special September 2019 | Page 17

polite smile and start a conversation
by complimenting their pampered
companion and asking its name. Then
subtly hint towards the mess their dog
has created in the community space. You
can end the conversation on a courteous
note by offering an extra bag to clean
up the poop and thanking the RWA
authorities and colony residents for the
well-maintained dog park to induce
guilt.
You can also convince your RWA
representatives to form a local pet
waste removal service at a minimum
contribution from all pet owners in
your colony. Housing complexes can
also allocate specific park areas for pet
defecation to prevent the entire green
space from getting
filthy.
You
can also
p u t
up
a
poop when nature calls. You can carry
along a poop scooper, plastic bag or
newspaper packet to clean up after your
pet the next time you take it out for
a walk in the park. Secure the packet
properly and dispose it off in a dustbin
designated for this purpose.
Never throw your poop bag in neighbours’
garbage bins as this can easily become
a bone of contention between colony
residents. Even though disposed waste is
no one’s property, trash cans come under
personal belongings of residents. Always
remember to carry extra eco-friendly
or newspaper disposable bags for poop
emergencies.
Don’t ever allow your pet to relieve itself
on other people’s property like gates,
lawns, mailboxes, vehicles and potted
plants. Dog and cat urine
is very high in acidity
and can damage grass and
plants. Allowing your dog
to do its business on others'
personal property is a sign
of bad manners on the part of
both the dog and its owner.
You will often come across pet parents
conveniently forgetting or ignoring
the dog park rules. If you encounter
other owners ignoring their pet’s mess,
don’t become aggressive and turn into a
community watchdog at any cost. Instead
play the diplomatic card and confront
the ill-mannered owner in a civil and
tactful manner.
Approach the erring owner with a
“Scoop
the Poop”
sign in your
balcony or backyard to encourage fellow
residents and pet parents to do the same.
Be a responsible and well-mannered pet
parent! Make sure that you cause the least
nuisance to children playing in the park
lawns, residential property owners and
adults taking a walk on road pavements.
* Editor
September 2019 • Vol. XII • Issue 9 • Noida
17
| Creature Companion