{"id":3723,"date":"2013-08-07T22:40:35","date_gmt":"2013-08-07T22:40:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lbpost.com\/articles\/life\/pets\/crap-happens-but-you-needn-t-bend-over-to-take-it\/"},"modified":"2013-08-07T22:40:35","modified_gmt":"2013-08-07T22:40:35","slug":"crap-happens-but-you-needn-t-bend-over-to-take-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/pets\/crap-happens-but-you-needn-t-bend-over-to-take-it","title":{"rendered":"Crap Happens, but You Needn\u2019t Bend Over to Take It"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"\"And now, a word about a handy-dandy little gadget.<\/p>\n

A while back, I saw a man traveling down the sidewalk in his wheelchair, his little dog on a leash ahead of him. The dog stopped to do what dogs do, and I wondered how the man was going to clean it up. He didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

I found out how little an excuse he had (none) last week when I saw the woman in the photo cleaning up the pile that her dog had left with a mere snap of a gadget. This handy contraption will no doubt be known to many of you as a pooper scooper, <\/em>but this was new to me, being a cat person and not having the need of such a thing.<\/p>\n

The woman, Jeannie, showed me how easy it was to scoop the stuff up. She said that she holds the jaws closed until she finds a disposal can on the route they take, then opens the device over it and lets the chips fall where they may. Using the scoop, she says, is a relief for her back pain.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe used to see people walking and either not cleaning it up or just throwing the bag and missing the can. People stepped in it, cars run it over,\u201d said Jeannie\u2019s husband, Greg.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Left: Jeannie and Shadow taking care of business<\/em><\/p>\n

The scooper is a thing of good ordure. First, there\u2019s no waste\u2014other than the waste itself\u2014of resources natural or nonbiodegradable. Second, no one can claim a stiff neck, a knee replacement, or even a wheelchair as an excuse not to pick up after a dog. Third, the more people using the device, the fewer will be the rest of us who\u2019ll step in it. And it\u2019s readily available online and in pet and department stores. The only drawback I could see was the fact that the waste, once dropped in the receptacle, is odoriferous and on display for anyone else tossing something away. But after Googling \u201cpooper scooper,\u201d I found all sizes and shapes as well as scoopers with rakes, scoopers that fold up to take along on trips, scoopers with dustpans and brooms, and\u2014bless us all\u2014scoopers with bag attachments. Martha Stewart even makes one.<\/p>\n

There are, I know, people who will not be able to use this device because of a specific disability; walking companions (who may also like the device) are an excellent solution. Otherwise, if you can think up any other excuse not to pick up after your pet, just post it here. Should be interesting.<\/p>\n

“The waste is a terrible thing to mind.”<\/em><\/p>\n

~with sincere apologies to the UNCF<\/em><\/p>\n

Virtually Pets<\/h3>\n

The Kitten Saga Continues<\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

This beautiful little tiger was neutered at the last Fix Long Beach event and was given up for adoption. If you’re as struck as I was by his beauty and don’t own a snotty little former feral who’d make mincemeat out of him if he dared enter the premises, contact lbsn2006@yahoo.com at Long Beach Spay and Neuter.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

These three kittens were born to a stray female who has since been adopted and spayed. Now, her kids need to find forever homes as well: two girls (the one with half a mustache is Victor\/Victoria and the one with the beauty mark is Molly), and one boy, Mr. Bo Jangles (aka Bo), with his back to you. Please contact vmdemoss@aol.com<\/a> if you\u2019re interested.<\/p>\n

Loving Home Needed<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"This rescuer is very picky about the perfect home for this miniature poodle\/shih tzu. He has separation anxiety and needs to be with a retired person or a stay-at-home mom or cad. He loves and kisses everyone he sees, has no issues with other dogs or cats, and loves kids. When he\u2019s around friends, he\u2019s quiet and mellow. He\u2019s approximately between 2 and 3 years old, has sparkling white teeth, and is in very good health. A rehoming fee applies, as his vaccinations, neutering and microchip have been paid for. Contact amauigirl@hotmail.com<\/a> if you\u2019re interested in this little fellow.<\/p>\n

Pet Projects<\/h3>\n

Through August, Spay\/Neuter Voucher Distribution, Long Beach Animal Care Services at Pitchford Companion Animal Village, 7700 East Spring St., Long Beach, Weds.\u2013Fri. 10AM\u20135:30PM; Sat.\u2013Sun. 10AM\u20134PM (ACS is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and holidays)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Throughout the month of August, Long Beach Animal Care Services will be distributing spay\/neuter vouchers in person at their facility at the PD Pitchford Companion Animal Village. Vouchers are only valid at participating veterinary clinics and will be distributed solely to residents of Long Beach and the four contract cities (Seal Beach, Los Alamitos, Cerritos and Signal Hill), one per household. Additional vouchers may be distributed upon request and with supervisor approval.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe usually offer a limited number of vouchers on the first Thursday of the month; however, through the generous support of our community, we are able to increase this program for the entire month of August,\u201d said ACS manager Ted Stevens. \u201cIn all five cities within our jurisdiction, dogs are required to be licensed. In Long Beach, cats are required by to be licensed with current rabies shots and spayed or neutered.\u201d<\/p>\n

The vouchers are redeemable only at participating local veterinary hospitals and clinics. In order to qualify for a voucher, pet owners must provide proof of address through photo ID or a utility bill. Owners must pay the remaining balance of the spay or neuter procedure directly to the veterinary hospital, and ACS will reimburse the veterinary hospital for up to $30 of the procedure. Availability and pricing will vary. Please call ahead for pricing and appointment information. A full listing of participating veterinarians can be found here under Spay & Neuter Programs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In addition to the discounted cost of a dog license, Stevens added, spaying or neutering your pet helps reduce companion animal overpopulation. Furthermore, sterilization increases the chance of your pet having a longer, healthier life as well as a lower risk of developing a number of expensive and deadly diseases. Finally, sterilization can make your dog or cat a better pet, reducing their urge to roam and decreasing the risk of contracting diseases or getting hurt.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Saturday, Aug. 8, Volunteer at Fix Long Beach\u2019s Fifth Mobile Clinic, Cesar Chavez Park, 401 Golden Ave., Long Beach, 7AM\u20135PM<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a way to help fix <\/em>situations like the ones above. Fix Long Beach regularly needs volunteers to help with the free mobile clinics that help low-income pet owners to alter their pets. FLB needs a few people to help load the supplies and unload and set up the event at 9AM. This is when the people who have appointments arrive, so it\u2019s a very busy time. The majority of volunteers will meet around 10:30AM. The event runs until 4:30-5pm, so FLB is looking for people to volunteer for morning and\/or afternoon shifts. \u201cWe really need some muscle to help us break down the event and load up the cars as well,\u201d said FLB founder Claudia Hoffman.<\/p>\n

Spanish speakers are desperately needed! If you would like to volunteer for this event, click here<\/a> and then click Join. Feel free to leave a comment or ask any questions.Only people who have an appointment may bring their animals to get fixed. Drop-off for registered appointment is 7AM; pickup instructions will be given when the pet is dropped off.<\/p>\n

Here is what the clinic provides with no appointment necessary:<\/p>\n

DOG VACCINES<\/strong><\/p>\n