To Pick Up or Not to Pick Up

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“Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle: Some things are within our control, and some things are not.” – Epicetus

During an early morning walk with Cooper the dog a couple of weeks ago, I noticed a dog poop that hadn’t been picked up. It sat on the little strip of grass between the sidewalk and the street in front of a house a couple streets away from ours.

So I picked it up. And then the next day, I found one in nearly the same spot. I picked it up.

When it happened the third day, something clicked in my head that reasoned that the odds that it was an owner walking their dog and not picking up in the exact same area every day were too great. Instead it was more likely that someone in that house has a dog and was letting them potty out front.

I didn’t pick it up.

Putting up with other people’s sh!t is tiring, isn’t it? And yet, it seems to be a fundamental part of being part of a country and community. Now that’s food for thought. Happy Memorial Day!

(featured photo from Pexels)

You can find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynneleon/ and Instagram @wynneleon

I host the How to Share podcast, a podcast about how to share anything – to the appropriate audience, with the right permissions, at the most opportune time.

I also co-host the Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcast, an author, creator and storytelling podcast with the amazing Vicki Atkinson.

72 thoughts on “To Pick Up or Not to Pick Up”

  2. Well done for picking up in the first place Wynne 🤢 👍🏼
    It can be difficult to let it go but sometimes it’s just not worth the effort. I guess it’s finding those times when it is worth it. Not easy! Xx

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Being someone else’s pooper scooper may go unnoticed Wynne, but I appreciate your altruistic act to help keep our green spaces out of deep do-do 😊

    Happy Memorial Day 🇱🇷

    Liked by 2 people

  4. You are a better person than me! I pick up enough poop in my own yard and when I walk our dogs already. You are right though it takes a lot of energy to live within a community. Some people are givers and some people are takers. I have enough on my plate already without taking on other people‘s dog poop. And who knows? What’s going on inside that house? Maybe a little prayer is needed instead. Have a happy week. Peace.

    Liked by 3 people

  6. picking up other people’s shit is such a good metaphor for life, most of us do it, and then at times, we reach our limit and let the ones who don’t, care of it themselves.

    Liked by 3 people

  7. I would love to say I’d pick up the poop too, but I generally avoid lying.

    What really irks me is the people who bag their dog’s poop, but leave the bags lying on the trail. I see this all the time and it drives me crazy! (And no, I do not pick that up either.)

    Liked by 2 people

  9. I’m laughing, sorry! Yes, your point of living in community involves doing unpleasant things is well taken today when many have sacrificed so much.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. What an apt metaphor for the sh*t life deals us, especially these days. You’re so right, Wynne, figuring how how to deal with it is not easy or straightforward. Puts in perspective how straightforward it is to take care of your dog!

    Liked by 2 people

  12. I’m always impressed by what you WILL pick up – you and your big heart. Deciding when it’s time to shift gears is a big moment. Pick and choose. I’m with you! 💕

    Liked by 1 person

  13. We used to pick up, but when it becomes a regular thing, like in your case — no. Not picking up after dogs is the number one complaint in our neighborhood. I always put notices in the newsletter and try to find funny memes and graphics to include. A neighboring development DNA tested all the dogs and now they DNA test the dog poop for a match and a big fine!

    Liked by 2 people

    2. Oh my goodness – that’s so interesting, Elizabeth. I wonder if it works as a method to *encourage* people to be responsible?! Love that you use funny memes and graphics. Such a great communications professional!

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Honey Wynne, I’m impressed that you picked it up on day one. 💩💩💩 I hate it when people are thoughtless and don’t care about the possibility of other people walking in it. Yep, putting up with other people shit is tiring! 🙄

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You know – it was just at the time that it was getting light enough to see it in the morning so I figured it might be a one-time lapse. I guess I’m extra optimistic in the morning… 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re a jewel Wynne. Such is our optimism versus reality check huh? We have an ordinance in our community too, but of course you will have those who ignore protocol! UGH! 😝💩🤦🏻‍♀️

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Picking up a poop from a dog that’s not yours is much harder and more revolting, but sometimes it’s the right thing to do! I picked up a dog poop at Manly Beach in Australia once – a very busy place with little kids running around barefoot. I had my 2 dogs with me, so was armed with poop bags. Multiple people thanked me.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. If everyone adopted an attitude of cleaning up after themselves, whatever the mess they created, the world would be in a lot better place.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Anytime someone finds a way to make poop into a life metaphor, I smile. And this is no different. You contribute so much to your community – including the virtual ones – and you have to draw the line somewhere. 😊

    Happy Memorial Day and hope you and the kids enjoyed a nice day off together!

    Liked by 1 person

  22. I love your honesty and the message, Wynne! Our neighbor never picks up after her dog, and sometimes, we’ve found poop in our front yard, even when we didn’t have a dog. That mentality bugs me! Dog owners should be accountable. This scenario hits a nerve, can you tell? LOL

    Liked by 1 person

  23. There’s so much to learn from your experience, Wynne. When is enough, enough?!😩 As the Epicetus quote says, “Some things are within our control, and some things are not.” From here on out—at least for a little while—I’m only focusing on what I can control.

    Have a wonderful week!💕🌸

    Liked by 1 person

  26. I have had a similar experience, but one involving a plastic bag of poop in front of my house. I never identified the culprit, but the poop soon disappeared. Yes, an unremarkable but annoying event, not worthy of our time — so long as it stops!

    Liked by 1 person

  27. I agree with you, Wynne, “Putting up with other people’s sh!t is tiring, isn’t it? And yet, it seems to be a fundamental part of being part of a country and community.” Putting up with other people’s shit once or twice is giving them the benefit of the doubt. More than twice is exhausting!

    Liked by 2 people

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