I used to criticize dog owners picking up their dog’s poop everyday. Gross. You’ll never catch me doing that! I thought.

Well, guess what I’m doing everyday now. Yup. You guessed it. If this dog wasn’t so darn cute and if she hadn’t made me smile and laugh the minute I saw her photos online, I’d still be sitting alone at my kitchen table watching people walk their dogs and picking up dog poop, grateful it wasn’t me doing that disgusting act.

Once again I learn to watch when I’m criticizing others because sooner or later it might be me doing the very same thing, poop bags and all!

But I have to admit, despite the stinky poop, I’m loving this dog more & more each day. She brings me much joy.

This evening we went for a walk. There was a warm breeze that smelled sweet and new like the new green grass, flowers and baby leaves on the trees around us.

Of course, my dog (yes, I will be adopting her soon!) had to stop and smell many things, many times. Then she pees, then walks, then stops & sniffs; then pees, then walks, then stops & sniffs; then pees, then walks, then stops & sniffs; repeat, repeat, repeat. I don’t know where all that pee comes from.

Then the grand finale came. I can always tell when it’s coming. With intense muscular effort, out it lands onto the grass in all its brown glory. Not a moment to lose, I unzip my handy dandy poop bag holder and pull out the entire biodegradable poop bag roll, pulling one until I find the perforated tiny line where I can rip it free from the roll. Mind you, all the while I’m also telling my dog to “stay” and if she doesn’t, then a firm “sit!”

It’s very important she stays or sits because I’m about to pick up her poop still warm out of the oven and if she pulls hard on the leash … well I’ll just say it would be one smelly mess.

Luckily this time there was a dog poop garbage can nearby. I didn’t have to hold my breath for long. I dropped the poop filled bag into the can with glee, mission accomplished, I beamed, and off we went to smell some more.

As we walked home, the evening twilight caressed her golden fur as she trotted across the lush green grass. I smiled and thought, “The things we do for love.”