Dog Club organizes Franz Lake cleanup

This is a rallying cry to all dog and nature lovers. Spring is here, and the melting snow has revealed budding trees, emerging wildflowers, and some pretty unsightly messes. Assorted trash and doggie (ahem) “by-products” litter some of our more popular hiking trails and open spaces. Let’s not just sit back and ignore it, or label it someone else’s responsibility. Salida Dog Club has teamed up with Division of Wildlife (DOW) to sponsor a clean up day at Franz and Sand Lakes, scheduled for Sunday, April 26, starting at 9am. This will also be a celebration of our official beginning as a club, and a potluck picnic lunch will be part of the festivities.

Planning to take pictures of said trash for this article, I grabbed my camera and my dog for a walk around Franz Lake. Lo and behold, I am happy to say that it was difficult for me to find any trash to photograph. Aside from a lonely coffee cup cover, a glass bottle, and a piece of stryofoam bobbing in the water, the place was pretty clean. If trash pick up was our only goal, we’d be done and ready for lunch in fifteen minutes.

But alas, the dog waste problem is much more prevalent. (I will spare you any photos of that.) Are dog owners reluctant to pick up because we forget to bring bags for that purpose, are absent minded enough we don’t notice our dogs are doing it, or just plain unconcerned about the health and enjoyment of others? I realize there are no trash containers or bags provided, which would certainly make the task easier, but that does not absolve us of our responsibilities.

If dog owners want a voice in the plans of the city and county, if we want to be welcomed in new parks or other recreational activities as they become available, or if we just want to continue to be allowed in state and county public areas, we need to be responsible. I am talking to all of us! As disgusting and unfair as it may seem to pick up waste because of others’ thoughtlessness, it may be necessary to do so. With enough complaints about noncompliance, all of us dog walkers could be banned from using public land. It was for that very reason that Salida passed the law years ago banning all dogs from city parks.

So let’s make the best of a bad situation. This clean up event will be a fun way to do a good deed, let the community know that we are responsible citizens, get to know fellow dogs lovers, and learn more about the Salida Dog Club. If you are interested in participating, please contact Ann at 539-3676 or Laura at 539-2503 by Thursday, April 23rd.  We ask you bring a dish to share — tell Ann or Laura what you are planning on — and your own table service. Hope to see you there!