There really aren't too many things that put me out, but this is definitely one of them.

I work quite a bit and am involved in several non-profit activities that take up a lot of my time. Because of this, I have chosen not to have a pet in my home. And I do not hold pet ownership against anyone.

But I am tired of owners that show irresponsibility with their pets, especially dogs.

I enjoy seeing owners walk their dogs past the house each day. For many, their children are with them and it becomes a family activity which is great.

But something happened yesterday that really ticked me off. Usually I don't see it, but it happened just as I drove up to my house. Folks, if you have a dog, and you take said dog for a walk, and said dog poops on my yard, I expect you to clean it up.

Walk around with a plastic bag (which most owners, by far, do) and pick that poop up. You wouldn't like it if someone did this to your yard ... I certainly don't appreciate when your dog does it in mine.

What would happen if someone followed you, picked up all of your dog's "deposits" and then dumped it in your yard? You would probably get more than a little ticked off, I'm guessing.

And now, to make matters worse, someone's dog decorated my back yard for me. My backyard, not theirs. Can't we show some responsibiity here? Some respect for our neighbors?More than that, a little common courtesy?

The next time I see someone without a plastic bag for their dog, I am going and getting one of the thousands of Publix bags I seem to keep forgetting to take back to them for recycling, give it to them and tell to clean up after their pet.

Flame away pet owners, but you bear a little responsibility in this because a few irresponsible people are ruining what people think of you. It's that "guilt-by-association" thing.

I'm fed up with this and I'm not going to take anymore crap about it! BTW, pun intended.

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