You remember Pepé Le Pew growing up? He was a fictional character from the Warner Brothers Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons. I used to watch it every Saturday morning, bundled up on the couch with my Rice Krispies. I had no idea that this cartoon dates back to 1945. Its a classic in my mind. Pepe Le Pew was a French Striped Skunk always in search of Love. His unique odor and his persistence at finding Love was a complete turn off, Bless His Heart. So, yesterday I stepped out of the house and this little booger was in my flower bed, right at my door. Thankfully Onyx (my dog) was still inside.
He wasn’t afraid at all and did not run away. I didn’t want to risk spooking him, so I just went back in the house. I saw him skurry off thru the side yard so I gathered my things and the dog and headed to the garden. I had just taken up all the sheets I had put over some plants the night before and guess who came to visit….
Now, I am all for living harmoniously but ain’t no way in Hades I’m getting caught inside a fenced in garden area with a skunk and a German Shepherd. I literally yanked her up in the Ranger and headed out of the garden. Now, I know you will read and my own family will tell you that It is a last resort for the skunk to spray you. They say the skunk will only spray when they or their babies are in danger and cannot get away. Even before they spray you they will stamp their feet, sometimes raise their tail and turn their bum towards you, or hiss at you. If you see any of that behavior that would be your sign to get the heck out of Dodge. Move away slowly and quietly. The bigger problem is by nature, our furbabies don’t recognize any of these warnings, and that is why they get sprayed.
The little booger had almost made it around to my garden gate as I was heading out. I swear he was running for us. I was out of the garden, had the gate shut and was in the ranger taking a picture and once my dog realized how close the skunk was, she darted out of the ranger towards it. She ran straight to it and I swear they touched noses. You have to know my Shepherd but she is so polite, she sat down and just wagged her tail. I prayed….. I started to call her but not with my nervous voice and yelling “you wanna biscuit”? Finally my dog came running. I couldn’t wait to get the heck out of dodge. I drove up the field a bit and stopped to see where it was going next. I watched him head out to the woods so I headed back to the house. Honestly I thought we were done with the skunk for the day. It had followed me from the house to the garden and then headed off thru the woods. I went back up to the house to work in my flower beds which was my original task I tried to start. I took a leisurely drive back to the house checking on my flowers and pulling a few weeds up against the house. I got back in the ranger to go to the other side and Onyx growled a little. I looked up and good lord, guess who comes sneaking back.....Thats right, Pepe Le Pew. I give up! The weeds can wait!
FACTS ABOUT SKUNKS
Skunks are mammals and can be found in North and South America.
Skunks are part of the weasel family.
The closest relative to the skunk is the Stink Badger.
Skunks have the ability to spray a liquid with a NASTY smell. It is a defense that will send anything running.
A skunks territory is about a mile and a half.
Skunks can be multiple color variations of black and white.
THey are opportunists and will mess in anything you leave out.
They are mostly nocturnal and non-aggressive.
They will dig grubs from your yard and will also dig bees nests in the ground.
If your Dog gets sprayed by a skunk, Mix up this recipe and bathe with it several times. I have had to bathe Onyx several days to get most of it out. It still seems like everytime it rains or she got sweaty I could still smell it for months. Just remember, I am sure it was an accident if your beloved Pet got sprayed but they need your help. My dog was so nauseated when she got sprayed. I felt so bad for her.
You may need to double or triple (I hope not)
Quart of peroxide
¼ cup Baking soda
1 Tablespoon Dish detergent
Just another day on the mountain!
Kimberly
Pics are my point and clicks :)