By Val Dodge

Torontonians’ reputation—both across the country and at home—as being unfriendly is undeserved. Most of us really do try to be helpful, even when we’re venting our rage and writing up our best passive-aggressive notes.
Take this latest volley in the eternal battle between lawn-loving gardeners and inconsiderate dog owners (which, it should be noted, are a tiny minority). Sure, this East York homeowner left a none-too-subtle note to the culprit who didn’t pick up after his dog. Underlined, all-capped, and complete with superfluous exclamation points, the note is a masterpiece of quiet rage. Yet just like a polite and thoughtful Torontonian, the angry homeowner helpfully bagged up the poop and hung the bag from a nail like a lost hubcap or shoe.
Who knows? Maybe the dog owner will realize that he forgot his doggy doo and will return to search for it. He’ll discover—much to his relief—that not only is it right where he left it, but that someone thoughtfully wrapped it up and preserved it for him. Only in Toronto the (still) Good.
Photo by Val Dodge.