SKUNKED!

A house across the street is being renovated. To that end, trees have been cut down and a shed has been removed from the backyard. Rumor has it that a family of skunks have been evicted, and are seeking new digs in the neighborhood.

Zuzu, being a rat terrier, has a high prey drive when it comes to rodents. (Unless, of course those rodents happen to be family!). Twice this week she has sought to "make friends" with the skunk family; twice this week a skunk has taught her what she thought of that idea! So how do you get rid of skunk smell? Here are our solutions, in reverse order of effectiveness...
3. Tomato juice (well, we only had low sodium V-8.) Zuzu figured what dripped off of her in the tub she could drink. At least she had a treat that wouldn't raise her blood pressure!
2. Mixing 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide, one quarter cup of baking soda, and 2 T dish detergent such as Dawn. It makes a foaming mixture that in theory helps to oxide the venom. Zuzu doesn't like it so much cause you can't drink it; Peggy doesn't like it cause you can't mix it up until right before you use it so you are searching for the ingredients and trying to make it happen while the dog is reeking. Which leads us to Peggy's favorite cure....
1. Massengill! That's right, that old feminine product does a great job! It comes pre-mixed and measured, so it's just a matter of holding the dog and rubbing it on her. We keep a supply just for skunks!

The downside for Zuzu is that she is banned from the bed and put in the crate to sleep when she gets sprayed. Hopefully, she'll sooner or later learn to leave those black cats with the white stripes ALONE!