Urine trouble

This letter for submission is in response to "Here's the scoop about dogs." I've thought about it and there actually is a chemical difference between human urine and dog urine. Depending on what the dog/human ingests, what shows up in the urine is variable.

I imagine your children could urinate on a lawn and actually do the lawn some good since their diet must be stellar. Culturally though, they (and you as their parent) might pay some sort of price for public urination- it's illegal and socially unacceptable. Dog walking/ peeing is not illegal (just remember to pick up) and socially it's just fine by them.

The hills around here are covered with brown patches 80 percent of the year, which is what the climate in this area calls for. Pristine lawns are thirsty and wasteful and I have no sympathy for your lament about "ugly gold patches." You should count your blessings that the thorn in your side is a spotted lawn. Tell your kids that if the ground smells like pee, it's a good idea not to roll around on it, which might solve the problem.

Your letter implies that only dogs are using your lawn as a toilet but think about it: you should consider placing a bubble over your yard to keep out birds, rabbits, coyotes, grass mites, beetles, snakes, earthworms, gnats, squirrels, and any other creature who defecates outdoors. Just because you don't see it, doesn't mean it's not there.

Cathy Welsh-Smith

Calabasas