Let's Talk About Poo

"Please do not throw out feces in building garbage can".

That was the sign that was posted by the elevator yesterday by our building caretaker, a lovely and kind grandmother of four. Excuse me, but where exactly is one supposed to throw out the dog poo since there is not a single public garbage can anywhere in Tokyo? Well, I'm sorry but there is only so much I am willing to do to abide by the overly anal garbage disposal rules here and bringing the poo home is bad enough, but actually separating it from the little bag is beyond reason. Or so I thought.

Because that is exactly what you are supposed to do. Separate the "poo" from the bag. I found this out after buying a box of doggie poo disposal bags on our monthly trek out to Costco (complete with a stop at Red Lobster for lunch - question - do Japanese people see "American" looking people in an American restaurant and assume that because they are there, the restaurant must be good? ). The instructions are clearly illustrated on the box. To make this easy for you, the bags come with a paper towel that you are supposed to use to actually pick up the poo before putting in the bag. Then, when you get home, simply take the paper towel filled with poo out of the bag and flush it down the toilet, throwing the bag in the "non combustible" garbage bin.

In addition to the instructions on the box, I had more instructions by the caretaker herself, who had stopped by to escort the fire inspection team to do their routine check of our alarm system. When she saw the dog, she realized I may be the "people" who had left the "poo" in the garbage can. I confirmed it, thinking it best to come clean. She left and a few minutes later returned to demonstrate the process. With a newspaper in her hand, she showed me how to pick the "poo" up with the newspaper, put it in the plastic bag and, in a departure from normal procedure, instructed me to put this bag behind the garbage bins downstairs. "I will take care of" she said.

So, while the poo is apparently too stinky for the garbage men to deal with, it is not for her. This just isn't right. I can take care of my own dog's poo. I don't want to, I think this is a ridiculous waste of time and energy and probably the most insane thing so far here in Tokyo, but I cannot in good conscience let her do it.

I will stuff my pockets with my new little "poo" bags and do like everyone else in Tokyo does.

Thank God I don't have a Great Dane.