10/28/2025
After careful mulling and consideration, I feel it’s time I make a post to hopefully clear things up and bring closure to an unfortunate situation that happened a few days ago.
I’d like to start this off with a few facts about myself!
- I pick up lots of dog p**p. Sometimes 2-3 bags from one dog. Sometimes I pick up random dog p**p as well.
- I pick up bags & gloves that are provided by the city so that I can help clean up the streets & our local environments. This includes the sidewalks that surround our favorite local businesses.
- I’ve been going to Hi-Ho Drivein since I was a little girl walking there with my classmates at East View Elementary. I get pup cups every year, often multiple times a year for dogs also from there.
- Over the years in Olean I have cleaned up whole streets, blocks, parks and water sources. Freeing them of litter including hazzardous debris. I’ve done most of this silently and independently.
- Sometimes while on a walk, I set p**p bags down to return to on my way back. I don’t love the smell of dog f***s & if one hand is full of it while I have to react suddenly to any situation, it then becomes a safety hazard.
- I have ADHD & although I feel it’s helpful in ways, occasionally things slip my mind.
A few days ago, on a regular walk, during a search for a trash can, I left a bag of p**p on a trash can that was out of service at Hi-Ho Drivein in Olean NY. I did in fact make a mental note to go back to it. During the route, I figured the dog I had with me would have a much better time on the road on the next block over, as I could feel the heavy traffic and noise was a bit overwhelming at times even for myself. Just like that, the bag of p**p slipped my mind. An accident. We all do forget sometimes.
Now after knowing all of this, let’s imagine the horror and embarrassment that shot through me when it was brought to my attention that HiHo Drivein posted on their public business page a video of me setting this p**p bag down, asking all 4.2 thousand of their followers to help identify me. As we all know how posts go on social media with no context, it was easy for their followers to find reasons to bash, belittle, and judge an innocent girl in truth, me. Along with the post, I was met with a threat of police enforcement from who I presume is the owner.
I can recognize that I accidentally left waste behind. I feel the guilt. Yet what I also feel is disappointment to say the least from the level of professionalism and the treatment I have received from Hi-Ho and its affiliates as a long time supporter.
I went back and took care of the p**p bag as quickly as I could even with my time so limited these days. I don’t expect apologies even though I gave mine promptly. I don’t expect free ice cream or “treats”. All I ask is that we please meet people including our fellow neighbors with grace and not greed.
Thank you.
Update: they have reached out to apologize.
