Skunk attacks can be a smelly situation

Over a year ago, I wrote an article about my dog, Keikei, trying to snuggle up to a skunk and what happened to him.

Well, he must have short-term memory loss because he again tried to play with a non-affectionate skunk. You got it, he got soaked. However, this time, I didn't immediately run to his aid. It was 11 p.m. when he had his romantic encounter, and I left him outside until the next morning. During that time, he tried unsuccessfully to rub off the smell and he was covered from head to toe with dirt. Oh, what a mess.

I put on some rubber gloves and rolled up my sleeves. I took Keikei, soaked him down with water, and initially washed him down with Dawn dish soap. Once all of the dirt wasgone, I mixed up four quarts of hydrogen peroxide, with three cups of baking soda and two teaspoons of Dawn dish soap. I took the mixture and thoroughly re-washed Keikei again, making sure I didn't get the mixture into his eyes.

After he was fully lathered up, I tied him to a tree on a short leash and let the mixture dwell for about 10 minutes. After eight minutes, the smell was gone; however, because he was so heavily drenched with scent, it took longer to get him clean.

After his bath, I took our shop-vac, secured the hose to the exhaust side of the machine and blew him dry. By drying him using this technique, not only does he get dry but it also loosens and blows away loose hair.

To make a long story short, he was one happy puppy when the smell was finally gone. I just hope he remembers the nasty smell when he sees another skunk.

If you are allergic to any of the above products, please don't use them. Always test fabrics and paints before using any chemical compounds. Please remember to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands and eye protection for your eyes.

If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (255-2266) or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed Do?

Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified executive housekeeper, Northwest Environmental Services