A Simple Act That Surprised Someone

During one of my evening walks with my dog, he stopped in front of an unoccupied building and decided that was the perfect spot to relieve himself.

As I bent down to pick it up — like I always do — the building’s watchman called out to me.
“Sir, you don’t need to do that here,” he said kindly, as if he was saving me some trouble.

When I replied that I always make sure to clean up after my dog, his expression changed to surprise — then admiration.
“Not many people do that,” he said. “You’re very responsible.”

And that stuck with me.

Because while it was nice to be appreciated, it also felt strange that something so basic could seem so extraordinary.

Why It’s Not “Just Poop”

In India, picking up after your dog is still rare — but it shouldn’t be.
We’ve grown up around street dogs who do their business anywhere, and we often carry that mindset forward into pet ownership.

But being a pet parent is not the same as living with community dogs.
Owning a pet comes with responsibility — not just to the animal, but to everyone who shares the same space.

Leaving poop behind isn’t just unsightly or unhygienic — it’s a signal that we don’t respect our surroundings.
And public spaces thrive only when respect is mutual.

Responsible Pet Parenting = Civic Sense

Being a good pet parent goes beyond love and care — it’s also about being accountable in shared spaces.
Our actions directly shape how the community perceives all pet parents.

Simple things that make a big difference:

• Always carry poop bags or tissue and a small disposable pouch
• Keep dogs leashed in public areas
• Manage barking and jumping around strangers
• Dispose of waste properly — don’t leave the bag on the road
• Be polite when explaining your actions to others

Each small action builds trust and acceptance in the neighborhood — and slowly changes perceptions about pet ownership in India.

When Respect Becomes Contagious

What stood out to me most that day wasn’t the poop — it was the watchman’s reaction.
He wasn’t annoyed or defensive. He was appreciative.
It made me realize something important:
People aren’t resistant to change — they just rarely see it modeled.

That’s where we, as pet parents, come in.
If even one person notices you doing something responsible — and tells another pet owner about it — that’s how culture shifts.

How We Can All Be More Responsible Pet Parents

Here are a few simple habits that go beyond just picking up after your dog:

• Educate with kindness: When someone comments or questions you, respond politely instead of defensively.
• Carry extra waste bags: Offer one to another pet parent who doesn’t have one — kindness is contagious.
• Respect non-pet owners: Not everyone is comfortable around dogs. Awareness is empathy in action.
• Support community workers: Dispose waste properly and thank those who help keep areas clean.
• Lead quietly: The more often people see you doing it, the sooner it becomes the new normal.

The Bottom Line

That small exchange with a watchman reminded me that awareness in India is still growing — and that pet parents have the power to shape it.

So yes, I’ll keep picking up after my dog.
Not because I’m being “responsible,”
but because I’m part of a community that deserves respect.

And maybe one day soon, cleaning up after your dog won’t be praiseworthy at all — it’ll just be expected.