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Who knew that not cleaning up after your dogs would cause so many problems? I recently spent quite a bit of time with our veterinarian when one of our dogs became ill, and the conversation turned to how to keep dogs healthy and safe.

The vet brought up waste management, which I didn't think was that big of an issue. However, my eyes were wide open to a whole new world of germs, viruses, and all kinds of diseases. Mind you, not just for our dogs but for humans as well.

Abilene has a few pet waste removal services that will come and pick up after your dogs.

I simply asked, "where can I find someone to help clean up our back pasture after my pets?" That's when I learned from the Vet's assistant that Abilene has several pet-waste management and cleanup services available. I was blown away to learn that they're like a lawn mowing business.

Abandoning your pet's wastes leaves a myriad of diseases, parasites, and all kinds of germs that can infect your dog, and other animals, and can be transmitted to people. Furthermore, you can track it home on the bottom of your shoes onto your floors and carpets where you and the kids sit, play, and rest.

Then there's when it rains the waste runoff washes into your gardens and into any local creeks, tanks, ponds, and lakes then again causing all kinds of health concerns and health issues.

Then there's the chance (if doo-ing it in public) that you just might be breaking the law. Because in some courts the judge could consider it littering, so pick up after your pets. Simply put it's all about pet etiquette.

LOOK: These Are The Dog Waste Removal Services Available in Abilene

Here are a few of the pet waste removal services that are available here in Abilene.
The very first one I found is the Dookie Doodes the owner is Dominique Collier and he told me that "don’t boo hoo over doo-doo, call me and I'll gladly scoop it up for you." You can contact Collier at (682)-328-6322 from 9 am 5 pm. They do offer free estimates.

Another dog waste removal service is the Doggy Doo the owner is Kirby Schadle and you can contact him 24/7 at (325)-206-0642. Shadel said they offer free quotes as well and once all the waste is removed they spray yard sanitizer to keep the yard safe for your animals and you.

Finally, the last dog waste removal service is Poopsie Daisy the owner is John Parvin he can be reached during daytime hours at (325)-627-4244 they only offer canine waste removal only and charge only $22.00 per hour depending on how many dogs you have.

So if waste management is on your To Do List, keep this in mind, you can hire it done.

LOOK: Here Are 30 Foods That Are Poisonous to Dogs

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.