Walking Barefoot in the Sand

There seem to be a few topics grasping for my attention today. The most pressing issue, that seems to bother me the most, is the excessive rock salt use in Waterloo. I understand that this issue won’t necessarily change the world, or make much of a difference, but I think I’ll bitch about it anyway.
This morning I harnessed Jetta up and headed out to my appointment. I ended up being very late because of the multiple stops that Jetta and I had to make in order to wipe the salt from the pads of her paws. I do not comprehend the reasons for over using the toxic, carcinogenic crap to coat dry sidewalks. It hasn’t snowed in Waterloo as of late and there hasn’t been any ice either. Why a thick layer was dumped along the sidewalk near the university is beyond me.
Don’t people know how horrible this stuff is? In northern Ontario, rock salt never is used unless it is icy and, sand, which is used to create traction, cannot do the job. In southern Ontario, people use salt for everything. It snows, and instead of actually shovelling, people take the easy way out. The only problem is that, the salt melts the snow, the snow turns into water, it gets colder out and the watery snow turns into ice. Thus, you have a vicious cycle.
Besides the stupidity and laziness of the situation, the rock salt is extremely damaging. It rusts cars, discolours clothes, winter boots and every it touches, and it soaks into the earth and poisons animals and plants. Not to mention it burns every dog’s, guide dog or not, paws. Yes I know sand can create problems too because in the spring it will clog the sewer covers, but those issues are easier to deal with than pollution and sick people and animals.
Certainly, there is no easy answer to this dilemma, but bloody Hell people, just shovel and that would make a little difference.