Just when you think there can be no downside

I used to think there could never be a down side to spring.  It's warmer, no coats, hats, and little mittens to get on.  The snow melts and things start to clean up a little, with less sand and crap to drag in the house.  The sun comes out and everything/ everyone just seems more lively in the spring.  Really, how could there be a downside? 

Well this spring I found it... dog poop!  And I don't mean like of I have to pick up some dog poop from the back yard like I do on a weekly basis, I mean an endless pit of dog poop that has consumed our entire backyard from November until now.  I don't think there is a square inch of grass in our yard that isn't covered  :(  So for the last week I have spent about an hour a day chipping away at this horrendous mess in hopes that someday Graham can again play in our yard without getting covered in crap.  (No one likes to have to hose off their shoes every time they go outside!)  But honestly, I'm not sure I am even making a dent.  The yard is still covered and Emma is not helping matters, as she seems to think that every time I go out to pick some up, that she must leave some more for another day... ugg! 

How did I not notice this in years past?  Did my dog not poop this much before?  Was winter shorter of something?  I think we must have just waited long enough that the rain washed some of it away and we could rake the rest when we started on the fertilizer etc.  But Graham is older this spring and the poor kid wants to play on the swing set, so I am off to once again attempt to clean up the back yard.  Emma, I am declaring this a poop free zone, so hold it until our walk or else!  :)