Let's face it: dog waste is not something we want to talk about -- unless we step in it or smell it accumulating in our neighbor's yard or community park.

But whether owners don't want to, can't or just don't have time to clean up after their dogs, it's still a part of being a responsible dog owner. It's a daily, challenging responsibility.

Left to accumulate, dog waste will attract disease-carrying pests like flies. It can destroy a lawn. Kids step in it; dogs roll around in it and then go into the home and lay on the carpet. The sight and smell definitely will offend neighbors.

But now there's a new business in Ottawa that can help take care of the problem. Set up as a dog waste management company, Rhonda Browning's new business, The Poop Fairy, will take some of the burden away from the dog owner.

"I did a lot of research on this problem, and it is a problem in almost every city, town or village,"Browning said. "There are a lot of these types of businesses throughout the country and I think our area needs a service like this."

Aurora, Bolingbrook, Chicago, Elburn, Joliet, Lockport, Naperville, Oswego, Sugar Grove, Wheaton and Yorkville are just some of the towns with dog waste management companies. And now Ottawa is on the list.

Browning comes from a business family. Her parents owned a "Ma and Pa" grocery store and "I discovered that I have a feel for business. When I first started looking into what type of business I could run successfully, I had a million ideas," she said with a laugh. "This was one of the few businesses I discovered I could manage with my start-up funds."

"There are definitely reasons why dog owners can use The Poop Fairy," Browning continued. "They just don't have the time to keep up with the problem, especially if they own more than one dog. But the most common reason is that a lot of people find it a disgusting chore."

The list of explanations for why people can't or won't deal with dog waste can seem endless. Dog owners with children often get tired of hearing arguments about whose turn it is to clean up the yard. Perhaps the dog owner has physical limitations.

"Whatever the reasons, my company can help you take care of your dog waste problem."

Once owners decides the service is something they want or need, the rest is easy.

"Just call me. I'll come out and talk to you, look at your yard and meet your dog. We can help you set up a schedule for your needs: daily, weekly or a one-day service. My prices are reasonable."

Costs depend on the size of the yard and the type of clean-up schedule chosen. The company will double bag the poop before disposing of it. Browning said there is another advantage to using her service.

"Most owners can tell when their dog is sick because of the way they act: Throwing up or not eating. But while we're cleaning the yard we can also alert the owner if we notice a runny stool or see blood in the stool."

Browning wants to live in a beautiful community with a healthy environment. That feeling is seen in her family.

"My husband, Ron, has owned a window cleaning company, A Beautiful View, for about three years. He has about 500 clients and washes windows for 250 homes. I think that that between his company and mine, we not only provide a need, we're helping keep our world cleaner."

There are future plans for The Poop Fairy.

"I'd like to see my company expand into dog sitting and walking services at some point," she said.

Browning has a quote that says quite a bit about why The Poop Fairy is a necessity in the Ottawa area.

"One of my clients asked me how much I would charge his neighbor to clean up their dog's mess in his yard. When I heard that, I knew that my company definitely serves a need in our area."

For more information, call The Poop Fairy at 815-33-1077 or 815-433-4174.