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Community Corner

A Songwriter in Tune With the Environment

Encino musician Melissa Lewis, who owns two dogs, explains the benefits of composting pet waste.

We all know that the unpleasant side of dog ownership is cleaning up after your pet. But in an increasingly eco-conscious society, how does one deal with the day-to-day waste generated by the family dog?

Encino resident Melissa Lewis, a singer and songwriter, explains how pet owners can contain the waste in a more environmentally friendly manner through composting. After all, plastic bags do not easily break down in the landfill and most people are trying to reduce how much plastic they place into the regular trash. 

Lewis, who is known in church communities for her wistful voice, is often seen walking her dogs around Encino Village in the morning. Her album, Why Can’t I, won the 2009 award for best contemporary album, out of 42,000 submissions, given by the grassroots music organization Just Plain Folks.

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As with any disciplined songwriter, Lewis spends hours on her craft. Most days the music just flows, but during those “writer block” moments, she takes a walk to clear her mind, bringing her German shepherd, Snicker, and her black lab, Abby.

And, like the rest of the dog walkers, she has to dodge the droppings on the sidewalk.

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Lewis, however, not only picks up after her dog, but goes one eco-step further: She composts her dogs' waste in the hill at the side of her house, using a plastic garbage can.

One afternoon, she and her sister spent a couple of hours digging the compost can into the ground, and now she can proudly say that she’s recycled about a year's worth of…well, you get the idea! 

If you are interested in creating Lewis’ version of a composting area in your garden, this is the instruction article she used

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