The Little Stinker

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This morning’s paratransit ride did not go quite as planned. For reasons unknown to those of us who know logistics are not always logical, I was the first pickup.From there, the bus zigzagged about 30 miles, stopping to pick up two more passengers along the way before finally heading into the city—nearly an hour from where I’d started. I knew there would be two other passengers, one of whom I’ve personally known and worked with for over a year. Nick (guide dog) was with me. He’s usually calm, and well-behaved (and was when it was just me and Sue), but this trip threw him off. The bus was old and rattly, the ride was long, and there were more passengers than usual (meaning it’s usually just me and the driver). It may have been unfamiliar people getting on in unfamiliar places. Or, the motion, the stress, the scent changes—who knows. Whatever the reason, just before the final passenger got on, Nick pooped. On. The. Bus. Thankfully, I had poop bags and cleaned it up immediately. The driver gave me a napkin and she disposed of the bag for me at the next stop. No one made a fuss, which I appreciated, but it was still one of those moments you don’t forget. Have you ever had an animal, a child, or a sundowning adult, react unexpectedly in a stressful situation? Or been in a public space when something awkward like this happened? How did you handle it—or how do you wish it had been? Let me know—because even with cleanup handled, I’m still cringing a little.