Then you could've used the ticket to pick up the poop. Genius!

I have the carrier, but I hate attaching it to the leash because I always accidentally clock the dog in the head with it. Instead, the carrier stays in the car, bag roll in in my pocket. Spare bag roll is in the pocket on the dog's coat (we're in Canada). I always have a few extra bags stuffed in my purse, my pants pockets - everywhere. I have never, ever forgotten a bag. If you remembered to bring the dog, you should remember to bring a bag! And on top of that, the dog park where I walk him PROVIDES THEM. And people STILL don't pick up. If you can't pick up after your dog, don't get one.

I actually stopped using the carrier as well. But I tie bags to the leash just in case I run out of the house in a hurry. I also have a backpack with supplies for him when we go on long walks, to the park or to the beach. The one dog park here I stopped going to, also provided bags but people never pick up. It got downright disgusting in the Florida summer heat.

#28, while I do agree that not picking up after one's dog is absolutely irresponsible and disgusting for the other people in the park, assuming that they don't bother to keep up with shots is a little bit too much... At least in my opinion. Lack in consideration for others does not necessarily mean they do not take proper care of their dog's medical needs. But yes, the amount of people that don't pick up is quite sad. Sure, every once in a while a person can forget, but they should have the decency to at least pick up their dog's waste with a leaf. That's what I do when I forget to take the bags with me.

After being put on immune suppressants, I stop assuming people are doing the right thing to look out for other's health. I know that it's not the case the majority of the time, but I've already been laid up for awhile from it being the case before. As far as assuming that with pet waste I randomly find on my street, its because I know it has been a problem around here before. If I got bit by a strange dog, I'm not going to assume he had his shots and not try to find the owner to ask. Animal control doesn't either. And I'm not going to assume some random dog crap is parasite free either. I would rather err on the side of caution.

There is recent evidence showing a massive over vaccination in dogs. Rabies shots should be every year, but most other shots only need to be done every five or so. Bordetella (kennel cough) usually isn't necessary unless you're boarding your dog, or if they have a weakened immune system - otherwise, your dog might catch a cough, that's it. Leptospirosis is becoming resistant to some strains of vaccines - I got the shot anyway, but if your dog stays away from stagnant water and the contaminants therein (ie: walks mostly on a leash), it's wholly unnecessary. Same with the Lyme vaccine, if you don't live somewhere endemic. But most dog-to-dog parasites spread via poop, which is why it's SO important to pick up. I can't walk my dog normally on a leash (I use crutches to walk), so I drive to our local dog park, which is kind of a combination of a huge field and some paths, where he can go off leash. I *always* have bags, in the car, and in my pockets, and I pick up after him even if it means crawling my crippled ass into the underbrush. It's not bad in the winter, but as soon as the spring thaw comes, that park will just be mud and poo and that's it. Shots for indoor cats? Even less necessary. My cat hasn't had a shot in ten years, and even then, it was just rabies, so we could go across the border with him. What drives me nuts is people who bring aggressive dogs (I've noticed they're almost universally UNFIXED MALES) to the park, and claim their dog is "just playing" when he is snarling and snapping at my dog's face. I have a border collie. He likes to rough house. Rough housing can sound pretty vicious. YOUR DOG IS TRYING TO KILL MY DOG. Get a muzzle! A muzzle is the sign of a responsible dog owner trying to socialize their dog! It doesn't mean you're a bad owner!

152, I completely agree with you, I had a cat that lived indoors, and I don't remember her getting shots, other then when she was a kitten, she lived for a very long time, and was healthy!

Actually, rabies requirements vary by state, southern states it's annual because rabies is more prevalent there, northern states it's usually every 3 years. Distemper/parvo shots can safely be given every 3 years, you're spot-on about lepto and bordetella, those 2 vaccines only last a year because they're bacterial and not viral illnesses. Lepto's a big risk in my area because we've got a lot of wetlands and wildlife, and humans can catch that one, so if there's an immunocompromised person in the house it's a good idea to get. There's 6 strains of that particular disease, some vaccines cover 2 and some 4. Make sure you get the 4-strain version as it has better cross reactivity against the 2 strains that can't be vaccinated against. As for indoor only cats, totally agree vaccines don't matter as much because they aren't exposed to anything, but I'd still keep current on rabies. Can't tell you how many times an indoor only cat has escaped and come back with a bite wound, now you have a rabies quarantine to deal with. Rabies may be rare, but I've seen it (escaped cat scenario) and it ain't pretty. Thanks 152 for being a responsible and educated pet owner. Wish there were more like you out there.

My apartment complex provides them. Yet I seem to be the only one in the whole damn complex who actually picks up after my pup. It's pathetic and disgusting. I have the holder for bags, keep meaning to clip it to my leash, but I normally just carry it in my pocket. Don't leave the house with him without it.

156 - I'm a bit more than an average educated pet owner - I've been in the veterinary business ten years. I've worked with animal rescues, pet food supply stores, behind the scenes at a veterinarian (and as a receptionist), besides pet sitting and doing independent consulting on animal nutrition. I've reversed diabetes in cats using diet alone, same thing with allergies and many other illnesses pets get from food. I work with a veterinarian who doesn't go the conventional route - she's a full supporter of raw or homecooked food, and of not over-vaccinating. Rabies isn't endemic here - every three years is fine. And in my province, if you find a tick on your dog and give it to a vet, by law they HAVE to test it for Lyme - basically trying to work out if Lyme disease is coming farther north and becoming endemic. She sends me out as a consultant to families who need a more detailed dietary plan, or some help adjusting to giving medications to their pets. :) I know what vaccinations are important here, and which ones can be just ignored. BTW, I'm also immunocompromised (I have Lupus and am on immunosuppressants) - the amount of illnesses that CAN be passed from dog to human are pretty low. Dog to dog, yes, but not dog to human. Wash your hands after picking up after your dog, or touching a strange dog (especially if they lick you), and you should be more than safe. I wash my hands after picking up after my dog (I carry some antibacterial hand wipes with me), but I feed him raw meat, and I've *never* gotten sick from the dog. Ever.

Ah, speaking about over-vaccination makes me feel sad for my two dogs. My family moves around a lot and not within the same country, so every time we move to a different country they require a brand-new batch of vaccines because nearly all countries require the vaccines to be recent. Some vaccines are new to them, as they are specifically for diseases of the country, but quite a few are repeats. To be fair, though, I have to get shots as well, so we suffer together.

Ahh well that explains a lot then. Vet tech here. We drive our receptionist nuts because we don't have a 'standard' vaccine protocol and she never knows what to quote over the phone.

as a uk resident i can safely say that, like ops hand, you are full of shit. yes there is a lot of dog poo around but not once has there been a story of kids falling in it and losing sight

You are so full of shit it's coming out your ears. You can't go blind if you fall face first in dog shit, if it was true my friend would be blind

"our parks" - I was meaning my local parks and generalising that I was in the UK. I was not referring to UK parks in general. My bad, dog feces can cause partial sight loss. Google it. I've read a few over the years, including one in my local evening new.

If you fall in dog poo and end up with an infection due to the bacteria, yes, you could end up with vision loss if the infection became bad enough. So no, he is not full of shit for saying that.

they are full of shit for the saying there is stories about it though. yes partial blindness can be caused by the poo but putting it the way he did makes it sound like the uk has a nationwide epidemic