WE all experience ups and downs, highs and lows in all walks of life.

Mine happen when walking my best friend with four little legs. Yes, walking my little dog.

I retired and up until that point had never owned one.

I was so looking forward to our walks out and about in Berry Hill, where I live, also around Bream and other local areas.

My highs and ups are getting exercise out in the fresh air and meeting people to have a chat with and catch up.

My downs and lows are a different story – head down most of the time to avoid walking into dog mess and, when in Bream, sheep droppings and horse manure.

Then I’ve experienced people who watch you to see if you pick up your dog’s mess outside their property.

I find this annoying because my pockets are full of doggy bags and I try my best to always clean up after my little friend.

Then I met a lady one day in Bream who was washing her drive down because there was dog mess left on it and she didn’t want to walk or drive her car through it.

So, I can understand people who have dog mess left on their premises are annoyed.

The trouble is nine out of 10 people have a dog and I’d like to think all of them pick it up but we all know this is not the case.

So come on all of you dog owners that don’t pick it up.

Let’s all start the new year armed with our doggy bags and put them to use.

We all want to enjoy the walks we have with our four-legged friends

– Mrs C Hodges, Berry Hill.