May 6, 2025 by Timothee Thouveny and Blake Forish, 7th grade students at BC High
Hi, my name is Timothee Thouveny and I am working on my very first Civic Action Project with my partner Blake Forish. We are both 7th grade students at Boston College High School. We both have values that are related to this problem such as: Caring, Kindness, and Hard-working. I’m writing this because I care about our town and want to help make it cleaner and nicer for everyone. Lately, I’ve noticed a big problem when I walk and bike in Bare Cove, especially in parks and along sidewalks—there’s a lot of dog waste. It doesn’t just look gross, it is gross! Dog waste that is not properly disposed of spreads germs and hurts the environment. That’s why I want to do something about it.
One idea I have is to add more trash cans in Bare Cove Park, especially in places where people walk their dogs often. Right now, there aren’t enough trash cans and I think that’s one big reason why some people don’t pick up after their pets. If you’re walking your dog and there’s no place nearby to throw away the poop bag, you will be more likely to leave it behind. But, if trash cans were easier to find, I think more people would do the right thing.
Another part of my plan is to make flyers to remind people to pick up after their dogs. I would put the flyers at the entrances. The flyers would have simple messages like “please pick up your dog waste.” I could even include pictures or make them colorful so they get more attention. I was also thinking of putting posts on social media to get even more attention.
Some people might say that it’s not a big deal or that dog waste breaks down naturally. But the truth is, dog poop can carry harmful bacteria and can pollute the water when it washes into drains and it’s just not polite or respectful to leave it behind in public places. People think that in winter you don’t have to pick up dog waste. You do! It can still harm plants and animals.
I went for a walk in Bare Cove a few days ago and did some research. There is a trash can every 800ft. In 800 ft I saw: 14 unpicked dog waste and 8 dog waste bags, just on the path and in the forest!
Thank you everyone for reading this and pick up your dog’s waste!
so proud of you BC High boys for this article
So proud of you BC High Boys !
Wow Timothée, I’m really impressed by your project and how clearly you express yourself! It’s amazing to see how much you care about your community and the environment. I love how you identified a real problem and came up with smart, practical solutions like adding more trash cans and creating eye-catching flyers. You’re absolutely right—small actions like picking up after our pets make a big difference. Keep up the great work, you’re already making an impact! 👏🌿🐶
What a smart young man, a gentleman and a scholar. I was happy to read this opinion piece, these young men has some sense and are speaking the truth, now to go and conduct a science experience on this societal phenomenon is a sign of great intelligence, something not shared by these Bare Cove Bandits , dog waste or should I say irresponsible and selfish owners, are a plague to civilized society. They are entitled and think the world is their animals’ waste basket, Now we have landmines everywhere, children can’t play in the grass, we can walk without fixing the ground for fear we step in a heaping, smelly mess pile of dog shit. Personally, I do not want to drag your pets with me all around town. If people could just pick up after their pets, and put it in the trash can, which seems to be too much of an intellectual challenge for some (and to think we are cutting the dept of Education), we could all enjoy our common grass spaces. Note to these students, on these flyers that you will be handing out or posting, make sure to include some instructions with clearly detailed steps and simple words, maybe some emojis or pictures so that everyone can understand what to do with the doodoo. And if engaging with these people remember to speak slowly and use small easy words, there is a large chance that their canine companion is of higher intellect.
Great Job Timothee and Blake – Keep up the good work !!
Thank you for caring!
THANK YOU so much for caring about our wonderful park and the environment.
Amen to that! I just watched a young woman who let her dog foul the area near the picnic tables and then just walk off. It is families and kids who will step in that this weekend. It is just such an anti-social act that it really does deprive the experience of being in that awesome park.