Among all the new things we have to look forward to when Baby S arrives, I can safely say cleaning up poopy diapers is not on the top of our list (although I know it will be unavoidable!)  Well, fate intervened yesterday to give me a little taste of what’s to come, and a reminder of the many joys of being a doggie parent.

Several nights during the week I take Baxter for a walk after work.  This used to be a daily occurrence, and I’m trying to keep up the routine (even if it’s a few less nights a week).  As all doggie parents know, it’s very important to come equipped with poo bags during these walks – you don’t want to be that ragtag parent who lets their dog use the bathroom in someone’s else yard and then doesn’t pick up after them.  Not only will it anger your neighbors, but it will inevitably come back to haunt you when you inadvertently step in dog poo in your own yard one day.  Karma!

Yesterday I came home after work, leashed Baxy, grabbed his bags, and we were off!  No sooner had we rounded the bend of our block when nature called and Baxy popped a squat.  While I waited, I prepped his bag with my usual technique – hand inside so that I can quickly grab the ‘stinky stuff’ and then flip it inside out and tie if off.  No fuss, no muss – like it didn’t even happen.  However, this time there was no denying what happened….I employed my technique with efficiency, but instead of ending up with a tidy little bag, I had handful a of dog poo!  Yes, my friends, smelly, warm dog poo!  I had forgotten to do a quality control check on the bags – a crucial mistake.  If I had done so, I would’ve seen the big rip in said bag.

Instead, I learned a valuable lesson – even when you think you have it figured out, there’s always room to learn more…and if you don’t humble yourself, you may end up with a handful of dog poo. 🙂

I will try to remember this lesson when our baby girl arrives.  I know it will be a rollercoaster ride, and just when we think we have things figured out, she’ll change and we’ll learn something new.  So as I continue organizing the nursery, cleaning up the house and mentally preparing for life with an infant (can you ever really mentally prepare enough?), I will also try to steel my stomach for the poopy diapers, and many wonderful adventures, that lie ahead.