As a dog lover and concerned citizen, It’s my humble belief that we can spend all day debating various issues, but if we don't have a safe and habitable planet for our furry friends and ourselves to enjoy, none of it will matter. That's why this blog is so important to me. This one is personal. I worry that our casual attitude towards essential resources like water will ultimately be our downfall. 

I remember when bottled water first hit the market and thinking, "Why would anyone pay for something they can easily and safely get for free?" It was a time when dogs still pooped freely outside, and that was the end of your dog’s poop story. We didn’t think twice until someone suggested we should pick it up. Then before long we had dog poop bags, dog poop bag holders, and all the fancy dog leash accessories to match every season’s color palette. (the dooloop is the next logical upgrade, right?)

How pet waste effects public water

When it comes to water, there are two major concerns dog owners should be paying attention to:

1. Quality of the water
2. Ownership of the water

The quality of our water is directly affected by dog waste. It's not just a matter of it being unsightly; dog poop is raw sewage that can harm our health and the environment. Imagine if people were freely going to the bathroom in your yard every day - would you feel comfortable using that space for yourself, your pets, or even your livestock? Our pets don't “live off the land” as other animals do, and they rely on us for their food, which is why their waste is very different and cannot be ignored. Dogs eat what we give them, hence the difference between deer, bear, or moose poop left behind versus our dogs’. 

Taking ownership of the water around us and some depth of personal responsibility over what’s nurturing it is crucial for creating sustainable water sources. Picking up dog poop is not exactly anyone's idea of a fun time. It's like cleaning a toilet - necessary but not enjoyable. But when dog waste is left behind, it doesn't just stay on the surface - it seeps into the soil, spreading harmful parasites and toxins. Eventually, it makes its way into our water sources and ends up in our homes through our faucets. This adds a whole new meaning to the phrase "bottoms up"...

It's this unspoken responsibility that leads to the all-too-common sight of dog waste left behind, some in bags and others "commando". With millions of dogs in the US and an estimated 30-40% of households not picking up after their pets, it's no longer just a nuisance - it's a public health issue that must be addressed. Carrying around a bag of poop is pretty gross, but we've all been doing it for years now. Luckily, when it comes to dog waste disposal, there are a variety of options to help you pour eco-goodness into your local environment. From traditional plastic bags, to biodegradable options, to "flushable" bags, every choice has its pros and cons depending on where you live and whose sh*t you’re picking up! 

The bigger issue at hand

There is a bigger issue at hand than the scooping of poop and taking responsibility for our water sources, and that is the commodification of water. It's alarming to see corporations and investors profiting off the scarcity of this essential resource, while many of us are left struggling to make a positive impact. It's hard to make a difference when we're up against powerful forces who see water as the new "gold rush."

Have you seen what they’re doo-ing?

1. Wall Street Investment Firms Buy Up Rights to Scarce Water Throughout the West
2. Investors Looking at Water Rights in Western Lands
3. Arizona Communities Sink after Saudi Arabia Pumps Water Out of the State: ‘It’s Horrific’

This won't end well for future generations or those who don't hold power and wealth, but despite the challenges, we can still make a difference by taking care of our environment in small but meaningful ways. And what better place to start than with our pets? By using products like the dooloop, the next logical step in pet waste management, we can do our part in keeping our most precious resource - clean water - clean. And let's not forget to use our voices and talk to our representatives about protecting our basic human needs from being sold to the highest bidder.

By promoting the simple act of "taking care of shit" as a community-enhancing habit, or "spreading peace, not poo," we can create a cleaner and healthier environment for all. So let's embrace this easy solution (in your fav color, of course!) and pick up after our furry friends. 

Interested in more ways you can help save the planet? These next-level sustainability ideas 100% involve the dog and can be done anywhere! Don’t miss the dooloop in action, either; Read how dog owners are using & loving theirs here.