Thursday, September 30, 2010

Part of the Package

Our two Border Collies Phoebe and Ness sleep outside. They have beds in the mudroom and are comfortable. They are country dogs and they do their jobs. They also keep the coyotes and critters away. Sometimes I cave in when it is desperately cold but mostly, they are outdoors. Last year I bought them heated dog beds I felt so bad for them. But last night, one of the cats must have pushed the door open and Nessie came upstairs at 2:07 a.m. I know this because I woke up abruptly to the overwhelmingly fresh smell of skunk. She doesn't look bad in this photo but let's just say she smells putrid.


I pretty much go with the flow around here. But boy I didn't need this bit of country living this week. I went to Bernardston Farmers Supply and bought every product they have for skunk odor removal. You see, before she came upstairs, she must have tried to rub the smell off on some of the rugs, the daybed, pillows.... You get the picture. It wouldn't be bad but I've got 5 knitters arriving Saturday morning for the last class of the season. Hope they are easy-going too!

Thank you Pepe Le Pew! Any ideas anyone?

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Try a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and regular dish soap. Use about 1 qt of 3% peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda and a drizzle of dish soap. Mix it well and add a cup of water if needed and then lather up your dog right away. If this mixture sits around, it becomes ineffective.

Listerine also works. Tomato juice is a myth and does not work. Milk may also work.

Anonymous said...

Living in the country and having had sheep, sheep dogs, a Jersey milk cow and pigs, not to mention chickens, you have my complete understanding and sympathy. I have found sheep poo in plastic baggies in the frig, hog wormer in my blender, a husband and two sons cutting up a butchered sheep on my dining room table, and slugs in the house. The cat also left a live mole in the kitchen once. It's an adventure for sure. I wish that I could be there for your class, and believe me, I wouldn't bat an eye.
best to you, Ellen Kelley.

Anonymous said...

I agree with the first comment - the only thing that really works is hydrogen peroxide/baking soda and dish soap - I speak from sad and yearly experience with a country Aussie and several cats who have tried to protect their outdoor food dish. As you know, the smell will linger for a long time, but it helps to do a second treatment the next day with fresh ingredients.

Deborah said...

Eeeewwww! I can only imagine. Maybe you will write a book someday and this would be a funny story? Maybe not?

Anonymous said...

we had to shave our dog to get rid of the smell. since it was summer, no harm done.

Anonymous said...

baking soda? gets lingering cat pee odors out of even delicate stuff - don't ask how I know. good luck!

Dianne@sheepdreams said...

As a veterinarian's wife, I can tell you the peroxide mixture is the one to use. We recommend it to clients (and have given it the test here on our farm too!)

Mundi said...

We've used Amway's L.O.C. with great success. In addition to getting rid of the skunk odor it is a wonderful cleaner for just about anything from floors to soaking work clothes in the washer.

P.S. Don't forget to wash the dog's collar!!

Melissa Morgan-Oakes said...

Happy Skunky Birthday....
Peroxide. And patience.

Beau said...

I use a Massengill douche mixture. Mix it up double strength. I have used as follows: on dog - just sponge on and allow to dry on the dog. On side of house and bushes - used mixture in a hose-end sprayer. On clothing & such - allow to soak in water mixed with Massengill douche. (I have been fortunate and not needed to do this. The person I got this tip from did use this and saved her clothing from the garbage this way.)

Douche is vinegar based and some use one part white vinegar and two parts water and soak items in mixture.

Good luck!

Soper Creek Yarn said...

When my husband was skunked, vinegar worked for almost everything. Especially the lingering odour that he left everywhere he went. Just put containers of vinegar around the house.

His clothes we left on a snowbank outside!

Somerhill said...

Is anyone else wondering just how it was discovered that douche works? :^)

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