Every responsible dog owner agrees… picking up after your dog is a MUST. No matter where or when it occurs, there is NO excuse for not scooping the poop. So here are 10 reasons why EVERY dog owner MUST be responsible for picking up EVERY TIME.

1. It’s the law. Just like littering, it’s unlawful NOT to pick up after your dog, and your violation is subject to fine. Canton Township’s Ordinance mandates up to a $500 fine for not picking up your dog’s fecal matter.
2. It’s common courtesy. Cleaning up after your dogs shows respect for our neighbors and our community. Only irresponsible dog owners leave their dog’s poop for others to look at, step in or clean up.
3. Dog Poop is unhealthy. Abandoned dog poop can host diseases and/or parasites which can infect other dogs who come into contact with it, or be transmitted to people who accidentally step in it and track it home. Particularly at risk, of course, are children who play on the ground. Disposing of dog poop immediately helps all dogs stay healthier and reduces feces-borne parasites and illnesses.
4. Dog Poop bio-degrades slowly. Some people think it’s okay to leave dog poop because it will break down naturally. However, the biodegration process is very slow, and, especially in places where the dog population is high, abandoned dog poop can accumulate faster than it breaks down. In the cold weather, poop freezes and, because poop that is frozen to the ground is almost impossible to clean up, it will remain where you left it for several weeks to several months.
5. It’s not fertilizer! In fact, poop impedes landscaping efforts. Leaving dog poop encourages other dogs to mark that spot (by urinating over the previous dog’s scent): poop left on the grass contributes to the problem of “nitrogen burn.”
6. Dog Poop pollutes the water. Dog feces, like any feces, contains high levels of nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, which actually pollute the water.  Cleaning up after your dog is environmentally responsible. And please don’t dispose of dog poop in storm drains: storm drains are a direct conduit to our water system!
7. Dog Poop is unsightly. Everybody knows that. It’s disgusting. Pick it up. We all deserve to live in a clean city where we can be proud and step lightly.
8. Dog Poop tops the list of complaints against dogs. More than dog aggression, nuisance barking or unsupervised dogs, most complaints against dogs are about people not cleaning up after their dogs.
9. Dog Poop makes all dog owners look bad. Every time you don’t pick up after your dog, you are giving one more reason for others to dislike dogs and dog owners.
10. Your actions set an example for others. When you pick up after your dog, you are part of the solution! And your actions will help convey the message that it’s the right thing to do. Consider carrying extra bags to offer to others as a subtle and neighborly hint that cleaning up after our dogs is what responsible dog owners do. If you see orphan poop, pick it up with one of those extra bags you are carrying. I know, I know! Nothing like picking up somebody else’s cold poop, but what a message it sends to others! Your actions will encourage others to do the same, and soon, this will be a non-issue, because everybody will simply pick up without giving it a second thought.

It’s up to each of us to do our part in keeping Cherry Hill Village clean and poop-free. Make sure you carry bags with you. In fact, carry extras and offer them to dog owners who aren’t prepared or may not yet be educated about the importance of picking up after their dogs.

Ken Grimm, MD, MS, FAAFP
Cherry Hill Village Family Medicine
50439 Independence St
Canton, MI 48188
734-879-1068

http://www.thevillagedoctor.net
2nd Floor – Above Coldstone Creamery
Corner of Cherry Hill and Ridge Roads

Do a little spring-cleaning and empty out your closets, playrooms, garages, and basements of all those toys your children don’t play withanymore and exchange them for “new” toys.  Bring your gently-used books, cars, costumes, action figures, dolls, stuffed animals, balls, puzzles, DVDs, video games, outdoor toys, sports equipment, etc. to the Cherry Hill Village School on April 21st and swap them for different toys.

Donations-only are also needed and welcome!  If you would like to donate toys to the event, please drop them off with Amy Teller at 362 Filmore Street or Amanda Eason at 50537 Coolidge Street anytime before April 21st.  All leftover toys will be donated to Goodwill.

Toys only, please (no clothes, shoes, bedding, etc.).  Please no broken toys, dirty toys or toys that may be missing pieces or components.

HOSTS NEEDED: If you would like to host an outdoor stop at your house, please let us know! You would be responsible for drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and light appetizers. The social committee will provide some “seed” money to offset the cost. This is an outdoor progressive, so you don’t need to allow people into your house if you choose not to. We stay in the sub and allow time for a quick run home to use the bathroom. Depending on the number of people we get to volunteer their home, we’ll be at any one stop for roughly 50 minutes.

The W’s!
Who: Adults Only
What: Outdoor Progressive
When: Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) from 7:00 – 11:00
Where: TBD, We need hosts! A finalized map will be provided before the event
How: Just show up to the first house on the map! The website and Facebook page will have updated information the week of the event, so check back!

 
***Please contact Heather Stubbs (heather.strauss@gmail.com) if you are interested in hosting a stop at your house!

It’s time to sign up for Easter Basket Delivery!  For a $10 donation to the social committee, the Easter Bunny will deliver your child’s basket directly to your door.

The fine print: 
Families provide the filled basket – please leave the basket on the front porch at least 30 minutes prior to the Bunnies expected arrival.  The bunny has many deliveries to make – so expect an average of 10 minutes with the bunny for hugs, pictures and excitement!  The $10 donation is per family, not per basket.  When signing up, please indicate any special requests (i.e. multiple pictures, one indoor picture, specific time needed, children’s names, etc…)  Please select one time frame that is best for your family (7-9) or (9-11).  This allows the bunny to plan a route through the neighborhood and visit with more children!  At this time, we can only accomodate 15 families, so sign up soon!!

Bunny Day:  March 24^th 1:00 – 3:00 at the Cherry Hill School

Bunny Basket Delivery:  April 8^th

Toy Exchange: April 21^st 1:00 – 3:00

Bottle/Pop Can Drive: April 29^th 12:00 Pickup

Cinco De Mayo Progressive for Adults:  May 5th at  7:00pm

Mom to Mom Sale: May 12^th from 12:00 – 4:00 at the Cherry Hill Village School

Village-Wide Garage Sale: June 10th