Poop: Pick It Up and Pack It Out

One of the main reasons I created Puzette was my frustration with carrying poop bags in my hand during walks. Many people dislike this chore, and unfortunately, some resort to less responsible ways of dealing with it. Some dog owners don’t pick up after their pets (I give them an F), while others bag the poop but leave it on the sidewalk or trail, intending to retrieve it later (this is a D).

I’ll admit, I used to do the latter occasionally—leaving a bag next to the sidewalk on a neighborhood walk or by a trail sign on an out-and-back hike, planning to pick it up on the return journey. As long as I didn’t alter my route or forget where I stashed it, I could eventually retrieve it – an “80% of the time, it works every time” type of solution. But the times I forgot it certainly had a negative impact - and even if I picked it up an hour later, during that hour it wasn’t pleasant for other passerby.

Here on the Front Range, every spring, we receive reminders from the open space department and trail users through letters to the editor, Nextdoor posts, and social media campaigns: “There is no poop fairy!” We can’t rely on magical creatures to clean up after our dogs; it’s our responsibility.

The Musette Bag Solution

My quest for a better bag solution led me to try various options: fanny packs, small backpacks, and extra-large treat pouches. None of them worked quite how I wanted. Then, a stroke of memory—musette bags! I had a couple of these lightweight bags in my cycling bins in the basement. One was from the Tour of the Gila in 2002, and the other was a souvenir from the Interbike trade show in 2012. These unassuming bags had several advantages:

  1. Incredibly Light: they weigh next to nothing and are comfortable to wear.
  2. Compact Yet Spacious: They flattened when not in use but expanded to hold a decent amount.
  3. Basic and Practical: I didn’t mind carrying a poop bag in them.

The first time I used a musette bag on a walk, I felt triumphant. Finally, no more awkward hand-carrying or leaving bags behind. I was proud because I had unlocked a new, enjoyable level of responsibility. Those initial emotions confirmed I was onto something. Oh, and I coined the name poo-sette -> poozette -> Puzette, which was fun too!

The Puzette Cinch Cord

Puzette’s Rear Cinch Cord: A Thoughtful Innovation

As I designed the Puzette to be the practical bag for every dog outing, the ability to carry poop bags remained a core feature. Initially, I carried the bags inside the bag, but during the development process, I encountered a dilemma. The high quality fabric and meticulously sewn bags were becoming too nice to house dog waste.

That’s when inspiration struck: just tie it on! Since we only needed one set of poop bags in the front grommet pocket, the rear grommet pocket of the bag remained empty, and I realized that I could use the grommet to attach a cord. It turned out to be the perfect spot to carry a poop bag—it’s downwind behind you, on the outside of the bag, and with the cordlock, easy to attach or remove. This literally made it a cinch to pick up and pack out after your dog - mission achieved!

Why are we talking about this again?

Let’s revisit why it’s crucial to pick up after our furry companions:

  1. Poop Contains Harmful Organisms: Dog waste harbors bacteria, parasites, and pathogens that can contaminate soil and water. It’s not just unsightly; it’s a health hazard.
  2. Unsightly and Unpleasant: Nobody enjoys stepping in dog poop. Keeping our trails and sidewalks clean enhances everyone’s experience.
  3. Littering: Leaving plastic bags on the trail is an unsightly form of littering. Plastic takes an incredibly long time to decompose, impacting the environment.

Our commitment to Leave No Trace

Our outdoor spaces—the places we cherish for their beauty, fresh air, and connection to the planet—are shrinking. It’s up to us to keep these spaces clean and preserve them so that future generations can enjoy them.

I gained an appreciation for the outdoors as a scout and developed a personal outdoor ethic. We used to say, “Take only pictures, leave only footprints, kill only time.”  I’m proud to continue these values at Puzette, where we believe strongly in Leave No Trace principles: don’t leave trash, don’t cause disease, don’t harm plants, and don’t disturb wildlife. That’s why we’ve chosen to support the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics in the following ways:

  • Proud Partner: We contribute a baseline monthly amount to support their vital work.
  • Sales Contribution: A portion of every Puzette sale goes directly to Leave No Trace.

Addtionally, I hope to make education and volunteering regular activities, so that we are contributing to the community in person as well.

Remember, there is no poop fairy. Let’s be responsible stewards of our natural world – and I hope Puzette bags can help you do that!