atlas navigator
24 denverlifemagazine.com | APRIL 2019^ illustration by INGO FAST
Ah,
the perils of owning a yard in the city! This depends on two things: whether
it’s the same culprit every time, and if so, whether you know this person. If
this is a repeat offender, and you know the person casually as a neighbor,you’re well within your rights to “bump into” him or her while the dog is doing its business
and offer a friendly reminder to clean up the mess. Contrary to popular belief, dog poop is
not all that innocuous. It does pose certain health risks and it doesn’t act as fertilizer for your
grass in the same way that, say, cow poop might. Be friendly; your reputation as a neighbor
is at stake. If it’s a stranger, be a little more forceful. If it’s a different dog owner each time,
you might try a classic NYC-style “curb your dog” sign. A funny one is best, as it seems friend-
lier, and is less likely to cause resentment among passersby. Head
over to dogpoopsigns.com (yes, really) for some good
options. You can also put out a box of free
doggie waste bags as a subtler suggestion.
Tip: These don’t have to look horrible. Rig
up a bird box at eye level with
waste bags that
can be pulled
out through the
hole.
Dog-doos and don’ts
WHEN NEIGHBOR DOGS USE YOUR PROPERTY AS THEIR PERSONAL TOILET,
WHAT RECOURSE DO YOU HAVE?
I live in Colorado Springs, right on a busy sidewalk, and someone is letting his
or her dog poop in my small front yard without cleaning it up. How do I get
this to stop? —Alisha, Colorado Springs
Got a question? Send it to: [email protected].
I’ve decided to stop
drinking alcohol. How
can I stick to this
without making my
drinking friends (and
myself) uncomfort-
able? —Brian, RiNoFirst of all, good for
you! It’s certainly
possible to maintain
your social life without
booze, and without any
awkwardness among
friends. Consider
orienting your sched-
ule around external
excuses not to drink.
Offer to be the group’s
designated driver, or
start working out with a
trainer who meets you
for morning sessions.
That way, when the
inevitable “You’re not
drinking?” comes up,
you can quickly say, “I
have to be up tomor-
row at 6 for a track
workout,” or somesuch.
That said, you don’t
need to hide the fact
that you don’t drink,
especially with close
friends. The truth is,
in today’s health-con-
scious world, they’re
more likely to admire
you than to pressure
you into drinking when
you don’t want to. Make
things easier for your-
self by bringing your
own drinks to parties—
ginger beer or spar-
kling water, maybe—so
you never have to walk
around empty-handed.
Of course, it’s easier to
be sober with a bud-
dy, and it’s a perfect
excuse to make a new
close friend, if you have
an acquaintance who’s
also abstaining. At the
end of the day, trust
that time will build your
confidence.My sea-level friend just came to visit me in Denver and didn’t feel well after a hike. She’s in great
shape. Could this be altitude sickness?
—Kate, Stapleton
It certainly could be. If her symptoms include
dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss
of coordination, or—more seriously—nausea
and vomiting, altitude sickness is likely to
blame. Frustratingly, there’s no telling who will
experience this nasty side effect of traveling
to a high-altitude city like Denver, as age, sex,
and overall health aren’t good indicators of
who is at risk. Therefore, it’s better to play it
safe. The number-one thing to know is that
this shouldn’t be taken lightly. This is more
than just a common headache. It’s the body
trying to adjust to changes in air pressure and
oxygen level, which can affect the lungs, blood,
and even the brain. Always consult a doctor
first. Descending to a lower altitude is the best
course of treatment. Don’t attempt any more
hikes, or other activities that involve elevation
gain, until the symptoms have passed. Your
friend should also try to stay warm and rest,
drink lots of water, and definitely avoid alcohol.
If anything changes or worsens, seek emergen-
cy medical treatment.