What's that smell?

Sunday morning Mom wanted to sleep in but Dad woke her up, standing in the doorway he said, “We’ve got a problem.”

Now wait just a minute. Do not assume that because I am writing this column that it was my fault. I mean it was but it is not nice to just assume.

Sunday I learned what all the talk was about “leaving the black and white kitties alone” and “don’t find any skunks.” I mean what is a skunk. Well now I know.

And skunks do not even come close to being kitties.

I mean our kitties are cute and they usually run from me. OK, so Tigger finally had enough and took a couple of swipes at me … AND I may have yelped. And can you believe Dad said he wasn’t going to be mad at Tigger and when Mom heard about it she said “Way to go Tigger.”

I would be mad at her but she feeds me, gives me treats, plays ball with me, wrestles with me when Shadow and Ivy won’t and let’s me snuggle by her on the couch at night, or at least she did until Sunday.

What I learned about skunks are they do not run and they stink, really bad … and if you do not get away quick enough you have to have baths after, not like just one but four.

Dad was not a happy camper and he is still trying to figure out where we found said skunk but to be honest it was a very traumatic morning and I do not remember.

Shadow was freaking out rubbing her face and entire body in the dirt and she didn’t even get the brunt of it.

Dad put us in the kennel and then went and woke mom up.

Mom told Dad to go ahead and head to work and she would get us cleaned up, as soon as it warmed up so the water and shampoo wouldn’t freeze.

She then got in the car and drove away – didn’t even ask if we wanted to go for a ride. It was early but the grocery store was open and apparently she was going for more hydrogen peroxide and baking soda for the skunk smell recipe.

When she got back she came out, I snuck out of the kennel but I could tell by her tone of voice when she told me to get back in there she was not messing around so I got back in. She brought out breakfast, which I thought was weird but thankful.

And then it happened. Unbeknownst to us she was waiting until it was at least 40 degrees. She had us sit and gave a quick sniff, figuring out pretty quick that I stunk the most. Maybe Shadow had something in rolling around in the dirt.

I watched as Mom took her to the pump. Dumped that stinky formula on her and rub it then rinsed it off – Mom was nice and had filled up a bucket with some warm water. Then she poured shampoo on Shadow and after scrubbing rinsed that off with cold water from the hose.

I knew what I was in store for and was not happy.

As she let Shadow go, she refilled the warm bucket water brought out more formula and came and got me. I cooperated until the shampoo and hose. I got out of my collar but again could tell Mom was in no mood so came back, got my collar on and leash and got hosed off.

During that time Shadow was rolling in the dirt again, not sure what that was about but Mom was not happy so we played the hose game where she sprays it I chase it and Shadow attacks it. That was fun.

Mom did the sniff test again and left Shadow outside with Ivy and she and I went downstairs and I got my third bath in less than an hour. Mom is pretty tough, holding on to me as I wriggled and slashed around to try and get away.

Then it was back outside.

Mom had an appointment in town so when she was ready to leave we all went to the kennel.

Fast-forward three hours later and we got out of the kennel and ran to the basement. What was I thinking following her back into the bathroom.

Again she won the wrestling match and I was back in the tub for my fourth bath as Mom said the top of my head was stinky.

I guess it worked as then Dad let me take a nap with him after he took us for a walk.

Whew. I really got to leave the skunks alone. It’s just not worth it.

(Editor’s note: Roscoe’s nickname is now stinky dog.)

--Karla Pomeroy