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.

Anabaena Picks a Tomato

Anabaena ate a tomato

she picked it without my say-so

it looks rather sour

her expression is dour

perhaps it just needs some pesto

"Chillax" by Almira Fawn

Mmm...Cabbage!

For his second batch of saurkraut, Joe chopped red cabbages this morning.  Two heads of cabbage were enough to fill a two gallon pail.  Joe added whey leftover from strained homemade yogurt and some salt.  At the sound of a knife hitting a cutting board coming from the kitchen, Ferris and Anabaena ran in to inspect.  They sometimes find treats when we make that sound.  Thinking Ferris wouldn't like it, Joe gave a piece of cabbage to him.  Ferris ran to other room where he always takes his "treasures" to enjoy.  It turns out that our dogs both like cabbage.  Who knew?   

Scarecrow or ScareDOG?

Yesterday our family made a scarecrow to decorate the front yard.  We leaned on tradition and stuffed a pair of striped overalls and flannel shirt with leaves. The leaves were collected curbside from a neighbor.  Joe anchored an old clothesline post, Marie donated her hat and Mackenson drew the face.  The kids each stuffed a glove with leaves and I stapled our funny little man to the post.  We all danced around and laughed, enjoying our happy harvest creation.  Isn't he friendly?  See, he's waving! 

Some time later as I was hanging Halloween decorations insides I heard a deep rumbling sound.  Our usually goofy Labrador, Anabaena, was on alert to the front door, posture low and stiff with hackles raised and growling.  She had seen the paper mummy I taped to the front door.  After unsuccessfully assuring her it was safe, I opened the door so she would pass and see it wasn't someone lurking outside.  She ran out, still barking at the door.  Ferris followed her; the prospect of a trip to the front yard his only care.  Ferris trotted around in the sunshine innocently but Anabaena's attention immediately went from the lesser threat on the door to the giant Scarecrow just outside.  She lunged and attacked, biting at the poor Scarecrow's leg and retreating to bark and growl her warning.  Evidently he didn't look so friendly through Anabaena's eyes.  She eventually stopped barking but remained suspicious, not relaxing until we were all safely indoors.