Neighbors picking up poop, leaving it

Dear Cathy: I am looking for your thoughts on an unpleasant occurrence. I am out walking with my 8-year-old Australian shepherd at least three times a day, varying the route.

More and more, I am seeing dog owners picking up their pet’s waste in brightly colored poop bags and then just leaving them on the edge of the sidewalk. It seems like they are missing the point of being responsible. — Elise, West Hartford, Connecticut

Dear Elise: That is bizarre. I have seen a poop bag on the sidewalk before and figured someone just accidentally dropped the bag. But if you’re witnessing people bagging the poop and then leaving the bag on the ground, that’s a different story. The only explanations I can come up with are: A) these people are using colorful bags to lay out a landing strip for extraterrestrials, or B) they don’t want to carry their dog’s poop bag around with them during their walks and plan to come back for it. I am hoping it’s the former because the latter is lazy and irresponsible, especially if they don’t retrieve it.

Dear Cathy: What is best when you have to leave your cat for an extended period when going on vacation? Would they be happier staying in their own home with someone coming daily to feed and provide water for them? Or would they prefer being in someone’s home being cared for? — Janine, Bethpage, Bew York

Dear Janine: Most cats, especially if they’re in a multicat household, would prefer to stay in their own home with someone coming by daily or staying overnight to entertain and feed them. But if it’s just one cat and you will be gone longer than a week, then it might be better for your cat to stay with someone until you return.

Submit questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com.