What has initiated this seemingly sudden spew of wrath? I was running in Rothesay (the capital of dog shit left on the road) a few weekends ago. It was a few days after a snow...white, fluffy, moderate temp, the veritable perfect storm of the winter run. I ran from my house in Quispamsis into Rothesay and ran along a lovely route called Rothesay Park Rd. It is quite beautiful, a small hamlet hidden away from the main road, along the Kennebecassis River....I love running there because it is a microcosm of our greater community, if only for five minutes...fresh air, no traffic, water, and the sounds of nature.... When you enter the street from the Church end the street is fairly congested for the first half of the street. Homes are close together and, surprisingly, there are few walkers. As you run along the loop you become aware of the birds, the river and the majestic trees aligning the route...an oasis in the middle of a busy community - I love running there - even if the loop in only .6 km long. I always include it in my weekend long run.
As you approach the end of the loop the street is less populated, there are fewer homes, fewer people and GUESS WHAT? Lots of dog shit!! This has me totally perplexed. This area is affluent - I mean affluent - there is one property there that has a name - Neverland! I won't tell you what I call it. It is mind boggling to me that community members, neighbours, probably friends, take their dogs, let them shit in front of someone's home, offend walkers and runners using the route, and, obviously, are oblivious to the the consequences of their actions.
I have complained about this issue for a year, much to the chagrin of my family, as they have been the recipients of my rants! I have been thinking about what I can do to remedy this. I have thought about mobilizing the residents of Rothesay Park Rd. Showing them pics of the dog shit in front their homes and telling them that this is what their community members, their neighbours are doing - but, that would require me to take picture of dog shit - not what I consider to be photographic art. Hence, the rationale for this entry. I am not sure if all runners are as offended by dog shit as I am, I am not even sure if all runners are as AWARE of dog shit as I am. I am not even sure if the folks who live there are aware of what I perceive to be a problem!
So, here is my pitch! Are you offended by this scourge too? If so, let me know. This is not just about Rothesay Park Rd. - it is about the beauty of all our communities. Submit your photos and the address where you have captured them. I had this idea as I was writing this week's entry. Let's really talk to the neighbourhoods in which we run - don't let this happen...I don't want to blog about this...gawd...I want to talk about Runner's High...not Turds in Rothesay...
Better still - when you submit your photos I will go to that HOUSE, show them the pics and tell them that this is what their neighbours have been doing! This must stop!!
If you have read this entire entry - thank you - I have wanted to get this off my shoulders for a long time. If I receive photos I will post them along with responses I get from home owners. But, I promise I will get back to real running issues next week.
Now, am I whacked or what? Anyone else notice this?
The Middle Aged Runner
