I HAVE just become the proud owner of a lovely white Westie dog through a friend. His owner died suddenly and he needed a good home.

I am pleased to say he has settled in and is very well looked after and never left on his own. However, the amount of people who are against dogs, and animals alike, really shocks me and it is the irresponsible owners and other people who give us the bad name.

When going walkies I always pick his pooh up with a proper scoop from the pet shop and wipes etc and I always make sure to clean the area and my hands too. However, the amount of pooh that is just left and no one picks it up, also I saw someone the other day just let their big dog do one and leave it. We have seen many on our travels, not doing so and it is really unfair to us who do pick it up.

I spend a lot on the proper things to make sure of this. I can't help where he picks to do it but try not to allow him but the scowls we get. What about the amount of spit and urine that adults do in the street. No scowl there.

He has been nervous enough getting used to his new surroundings as it is. We do go on the bus and I have to pay for him. He never sits on the seats, he's very clean anyway and treated well.

As for barking, well he's a dog! He doesn't do that a lot but naturally he does if there are sounds etc, but we don't shout at him, that's not right, but he knows if we tell him properly. Just let him breath for goodness sake, he's 11 years old, for the time he has left.

He has helped me through some tough days. He has been here and vice versa. I have ill health and believe me he's here to stay. People do what they want in this world, let the animals too, to a degree that suits both sides.

We don't go out of our way to be a nuisance, we just want to live like anyone else and enjoy the summer with him.

Mrs M Beales

Catshill