Cleaning up after the dog

I recently interviewed Timothy Young, a Caddo deputy sheriff who has started a pet waste removal business, Port Pooper Scoopers. Timothy said he started the business after visiting his brother in Houston, who has several dogs.

"I asked him why didn't he clean up the dog doo in his backyard," Timothy said. "He told me, 'you can't pay me to clean up that mess but I'll give you $20 if you do it for me.'"

Tim said he cleaned up the yard in about 10 minutes and collected his $20.

After talking with Timothy, I started thinking about my own backyard and the hazards that might be lurking in what my puppy Tank leaves behind. So, I went online to read more about the dangers of dog doo and what I found was unsettling. Most of the Web sites talked about the different parasites living in the dog doo and how it can affect the water.

And contrary to what some people might think, dog poop is not a fertilizer. Timothy said it can even kill your grass.

I guess now I'll have to go out and get some pooper scooping equipment and tackle my backyard. Or rather, get my sons to do it.