A tell-tale sign that you're a dog lover? Every item of black clothing that you own looks like it's growing a lush shag carpet thanks to perpetually magnetic doggy hairs. Another indicator? When Fido hits the street in search of sweet bodily relief, you never forget to tote along a crumpled stash of plastic shopping bags which serve as a somewhat sterile all-in-one poop recovery and disposal system. You're making a conscious effort to prevent potential bacterial contaminants like salmonella, E. coli and giardia from infiltrating local bodies of water -- no one can accuse YOU of being a thoughtless, irresponsible member of society...or CAN they?
Granted, you're actually getting out there and removing your pet's waste rather than hoping that a torrential down pour will wash it away...that effort alone deserves a gold star. One of the most recent Center for Watershed Protection surveys found that 44% of Americans still don't bother taking care of their dogs' business, so those who do...well, here's a high five and a pat on the back.
As for the gold star, please hand it back. I'm serious...your gold star privileges are officially revoked and here's why. Of the 77.5 million dogs wagging their tails in the United States, you and the majority of the other canine guardians out there are using plastic grocery bags to square things away...you know, the stuff that's made out of natural gas and petroleum-derived polyethylene.
In all fairness, we'll give you half a gold star for being practical enough to recycle what was initial designed to be a one-time-use item. Here you go. Looks shiny and pretty, right?
Your good intentions are appreciated by our ecosystem and marine life more than you could know...but no more warm-fuzzies for you...time to hand back that half-sized seal of approval because thanks to your plastic-bag-poop-depositing ways, photographer John Darwell has made a career out of documenting the insanely inappropriate places that you've chosen to fling these generously filled bags of excrement.
From suburban neighborhood streets and parks to the great wide open, he's encountered enough organic fodder for his camera lense in the past 2 years to create a full-fledged photography show consisting entirely of improperly discarded dog waste bags. Ever heard of a pooper scooper, people...or simply refilling a large stewed tomato can repeatedly and depositing the contents in a doggie-specific composting pile?
What's the point of picking up anything if we're just going to end up flinging it in the woods? Doesn't that completely defeat the purpose? Jeesh, we apparently still have so much to learn.
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