Kael + Thor = 160lbs of doggie-ness |
While I love many different types of animals, our current
pet capacity involves the retention and care of two large dogs. Both rescues, one is a pure-bred Alaskan malamute and
the other a standard mutt. Kael, whose name means ‘mighty warrior’, was born in
the heat of Florida when his mother was dumped from a puppy mill. The average
litter size for a malamute is only six, and Kael is one of ten. Having a dog
bred for cold weather living so close to the equator is a challenge, and
walking the dog takes on a whole new meaning when A) he looks like a wolf and
either scares or intrigues people at first sight, B) he weighs 115 lbs. and C) is
prone to overheating due to a thick double coat.
Living in the Florida suburbs, we have a wonderful and
dog-friendly neighborhood – perhaps this is because very few residents actually
have a yard, ourselves included. Whenever the heat takes a step back we jump on
the opportunity to get outside for a real walk and not just a business trip. Often
one of the side effects of hurricanes is a break in the heat, and with
hurricane Irma this past month Kael enjoyed time in the wind and rain – me, not
so much. Watching him outside being a normal dog and not panting heavily within
90 seconds is always a treat for me too, and I decided while getting whipped by
the storm (and, no, we did not go out
during the height of the inclement weather) that I needed to get out there and
really let my dogs have some quality time on the leash.
It was only while regularly walking my dogs post-Irma that I
really began to see all the trash that had piled up in our sweet little neighborhood.
Not just the piles of downed trees and fencing, but all sorts of flotsam and
bits of trash had even blocked the sewer drains. Yards were covered in litter
and rotting filth. People didn’t have power, and windows remained shuttered. It
didn’t look or feel like the nice little blocks I was used to and found myself
getting annoyed at how people could just let these things pile up in their own
space. After all, I had picked up the trash that blew into my yard within two
days…
I'm not talking about the hurricane-induced debris piles, of which there are still so many even weeks later. |
Hello there, bottle cap |
It started with a bottle cap.
Caps cannot be recycled here in Florida by simply tossing
them into the blue bin and it is best to remove them from bottles before they
are put in the bins. Between our two dogs, I walk ~165 lbs of pup each day. The
cute little doggie bags are no match for the boys, so I put the plastic bags
from the grocer or other stores to use. Despite typically having reusable bags on
hand, I have friends and family who give me their plastic bags specifically for
doggie-doo duty. As I went to pick up after one of the dogs, there was a bottle
cap in the grass nearby. It had obviously been there for a few days, and I
picked it up with a plastic garbed hand while doing my neighborly assignment of
picking up after Thor (he’s the little dog at 50 lbs). And being the unique
person I am, I took a photo for future contemplation.
I stared at the photo that evening and the next day took an
extra bag with me specifically for trash. I didn’t go into any bushes or climb
trees; I didn’t walk any closer to a house that the sidewalk, and yet I was
shocked in the amount of trash collected during a short walk with a panting
malamute. Walking the second dog, I decided to take a different street and
found a whole new array of trashy treasures. I felt so good! No letters to the
HOA complaining, no dirty looks at neighbors (nor from any neighbors either),
and my dogs are getting much better on the leash. Stopping frequently has led
them to be better at heeling and let’s face it, dogs are really good at finding
bits of trash so they are even helping the cause when walking after dark.
Success! I have made the world better!
Day 1 haul - thanks for the help, Thor! |
I look forward to showing my son next month that cleaning
the beach once a year is great, but that we can and will do better. Every bit
of refuse that ends up in the right receptacle and out of the environment is a
good thing, and I am reminded again how small decisions can lead to big results
over time. Who, knows - maybe even a few neighbors here us chatting.
I am not so sure, however, about how much trash will be
around the neighborhood on November 1st – the day after Halloween.
That should be an interesting walk.