Homemade Skunk shampoo/deodorizer - Spring smells are in the air.

Spring is in the air even in suburbia.  The squirrels are chattering, birds are migrating and animals that have been hibernating are coming out of their dens.  Our dog has discovered a new species of cat that is all black with a distinctive white stripe down its back and and equally distinctive odor.  The species is Mephitis mephitis aka Eastern Skunk.  Our dog Anabaena has been sprayed twice in the last month.  The first time was at 11:58PM after we had stayed up to watch a late movie and were quite ready to retire for the night.  We proceded let the dog out and she proceeded to wander over to our compost bin where it is evident Pepe laPew was enjoying a midnight snack.  Mr laPew was in no mood to entertain a chocolate laborador retriever and made it known.  Needless to say we didn't go straight to bed, rather we spent the next 30 minutes bathing our odoriferous canine.

The second incidence happened about a week later at 5:45 AM.  Anabaena bolted out the door as usual, but instead of stopping by her favorite Japanese Maple, proceeded to the neighbors yard where Pepe was enjoying the scenery under our neighbors deck.  Enjoying it until our dog once again tried to introduce herself.  This resulted again in another 30 minute bathing session for the stinky pooch.  

The lesson learned from all of this is to look outside before you let the dog out, and have a good shampoo concoction ready that works on skunk odors.  We have found the following recipe and technique to be quite useful.  
 

In a bowl or bottle mix together:

1 quart hydrogen peroxide

1/4 cup baking soda

1-2 teaspoons liquid dish soap 

Scrub this mixture into the fur vigorously.  We didn't let it set on Anabaena longer than it took to scrub it all over her body, but that may increase the effectiveness of the baking soda to remove the odor.