It has long been noted that keeping a pet is good for us - dogs in particular.
Not everyone is a dog person, some prefer cats. Others, of course, don't hold with animals as pets. However, those who chose a canine companion gain in terms of their mental and physical wellbeing.
The bond enjoyed between a pet dog and its owners is said to improve health. As most who have owned a dog will tell you, the companionship and loyalty your pooch displays has a noticeable effect on your mood and general feeling of wellbeing.
But dogs can be cause for concern. While the majority of dog owners treat their animals properly and obey the laws, there are those whose actions leave a lot to be desired. An uncontrolled animal can be a menace, through aggressive behaviour, or simply by fouling the environment.
Dog owners owe it to their animals and the rest of the community to ensure their pets are well cared for, trained, properly exercised and given appropriate treatments depending on their health. Within that comes the need for exercise and the responsibility to clean up after your pooch.
It is reassuring that Wanganui District Council is taking a hard line on the nuisance of dog droppings on public thoroughfares and in our parks, as well as increasing facilities for disposal of dog droppings.
There is nothing worse than going for a stroll or taking the kids to the park to play and having to engage in a round of dodge the droppings.
Problem areas noted by Wanganui animal control officers include our picturesque river walkways. Users deserve better than having to walk among the smell and mess because someone is too lazy or ignorant to scoop the poop or take their dog off the track to do its business.
It is as much about common courtesy as anything and one hopes the council campaign is short-lived and the few dog owners giving the others a bad name are brought into line quickly.
