BBC News reports that the fundamental public art necessary to a new civic campaign to pick up after your dog has gone missing from Torrelodones, a city just outside of Madrid.
Someone has taken the…fiberglassed dog pile. As BBC reports “staff was shocked and perplexed by the theft, and a replacement excrement was already on order because we know the campaign has been a great success”.
The Atlas Obscura also features this story, noting that until a replacement inflatable excrement is found, selfies will have to be taken with another object.
We have a superstar on this malodourous issue a little closer to home, Victoria’s Mr Floatie!
http://static.theglobeandmail.ca/ffb/incoming/article24423573.ece/ALTERNATES/w620/web-bc-mr-floatie27.JPG
He is a committed citizen and activist.
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=PT&Date=20121126&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=311269999&Ref=EP&NewTbl=1&item=1&maxw=350
And popular with tourists.
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000qeFklIAbPfg/s/900/900/mr-floatie-mascot-POOP-bc-legislature-victoria.jpg
And doesn’t take crap from any bureaucrat or politician.
http://www.tactixleadership.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/pics-077-1024×768.jpg
In fact, he can dish out as much as he takes.
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zDTmpxNxoVk/hqdefault.jpg
Hooray to Mr. Floatie!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/128/317904588_5606189825_b.jpg
I used to be very involved with dogs – like them more than people in many instances – but I’ve come to see dog ownership like car ownership. It would be better for many people – and dogs – if they could share.
People get so enmeshed in their dogs – a British poll showed that many preferred their dogs to their kids. The truth with dogs is that they’d rather be running around sniffing other dogs’ butts than spending time with you. They think the dog walker is way cooler than you.
If you calculate the cost of owning a dog for its natural life, you’re looking at $15,000-$20,000: food, vet bills, toys, boarding, grooming – to say nothing of the damage and funk to your home and car. You’d be surprised how many rich dog owners send their servants to pick up high end goodies for their dogs.
Someone should start a dog share company. Currently, if you want to borrow a dog, you can get one from the pound. How do dogs wind up at the pound? Mostly, they’re products of the puppy mill industry sold to the ignorant.
People often “rescue” dogs from the pound. They feel good about themselves. Newsflash: no amount of “rescuing” is going to put a dent in this breeding industry.
We dog lovers like to say that a dog is a dog is a dog – but the reality is that people want dogs that you’re unlikely to ever see at the pound. If you’ve ever experienced the extraordinary energy of an Irish Terrier; or the silky fur of a Springer Spaniel; or the serious focussed power of a Bloodhound, you know what I’m talking about.
Many of us get the urge to have a dog – owning one full-time is not that great – unless you have that servant ready to take care of your pride and joy while you’re at work. Picking up a few thousand turds dampens enthusiasm.
So, someone should crunch the numbers – there’s a good business there – an extension of the doggy daycare doggy walking industry.
Let’s say you want to enjoy the company of a dog. The amount you pay depends on the dog you choose – a Great Dane, or English Bull will be expensive; a chihuahua, or Llhasa not so much. When you pick it up it should already have done its business. When your done with it, take it back. If you can’t bear to part with it, give it a few days or weeks thought, and then adopt it.
Otherwise, your cash contribution to this business would go to the long term care of its dog population.