My name is Frankie Diefenbach, and I’m a recent transplant to Kirkland from San Bernadino, Calif. Having been rendered homeless by the California wildfires of 2009, it wasn’t easy making my way in this world during 2009. In addition to losing my family, I lost my possessions and had no idea where my next meal was coming from. It was a hard and lonely several months on the road, but my fortunes changed. I had the good luck to relocate to Kirkland last December and my life has turned around.

I feel truly blessed to reside in Kirkland and spend the majority of my time enjoying what our community has to offer. There are a multitude of lakeside restaurants, financial institutions, shops, and coffeehouses that welcome my daily visits. In Kirkland I’m treated as a valued customer, in spite of being a newcomer. With the fair weather we’ve had this year, it’s been a pleasure to encounter neighbors and friends alike as I roam my neighborhood and explore my new home. I find that the streets are just as safe to walk at night as they are during the day, and I spend much of my time enjoying my neighborhood in such a fashion.

There is only one thing that puzzles me about living in Kirkland: The lack of discipline that certain canines exercise over their human companions. Excuse me, perhaps I should explain myself: I’m a Dachsiel. I am part Dachshund, part Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I’m a semi-fluffy redhead with a glorious flag-like tail. In addition to my good looks, I’m a staunch disciplinarian when it comes to the training of my human companion.

Please forgive my bluntness, but there are times when I’m out on a walk with my human companion and quite simply, I have to relieve myself. While I do so as discreetly as possible, I can’t pretend this is one of the more charming traits of my species. Happily, I live with a human who was easily trained. When we leave the house she carries multiple waste bags that will allow her to clean up after any messes I make. In the event I utilize those bags prior to reaching our destination, the City of Kirkland happily provides waste bags at convenient locations throughout downtown, and along Lake Washington Boulevard.

Unfortunately, I have noticed that other human companions are not so well trained. I regularly see dog waste on east of Market sidewalks left behind by other canines and their humans. In addition to discrediting my species, I fear that the more frequently this bad behavior occurs, the less welcome I will be about town. Additionally, it has been truly embarrassing for me, a new resident working to build a reputation in my community, to be seen in the company of a human who has dog waste on her New Balance shoes. While she is well-trained, she appears not to be adequately coordinated to avoid these abandoned messes on our streets.

I would like to implore my fellow canines to exercise strict behavioral controls over our human companions. Do not allow your human companion to indulge in rebellious behavior with regard to your waste. Clean up is not optional. Your human companion is not only responsible for the cleanliness of your community, but your reputation about town. Please do not let him/her sully your image by failing to clean up after you.

Frankie Diefenbach, canine extraordinaire (owner Alicia Diefenbach, Kirkland)