"Whatever is once polluted by it, is for ever useless"

All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little face. Tiny paw washes her ears, eyes, nose and throat in the aftermath of a skunk encounter early morning.

Tiny on her tether got skunked outside the back door just before dawn this morning. We'd noticed of late that our yard is a byway of choice for members of the local Mephitidad community. Recently we watched from the window, frozen, as a skunk ambled between us and Tiny, who was sitting in The Little House at the edge of the terrace, but the Chelsea Gray only watched. We assumed she had learned her lesson years ago, but apparently not. A direct frontal assault left our sweet tiny girl drooling and squinting with discomfort, her facial fur moist and matted. She scrambled inside -- as if leaving the scene of the crime would somehow make things better -- frantically rubbing her face on the floor. We grabbed her up and tried flushing her eyes with water, but she sprung free of our grasp, taking several countertop items with her as she jumped to the floor. We happened to have some Nature's Miracle Skunk Odor "Remover" on hand from a previous episode years back -- those things never really work, but we were desperate -- and daubed some with a towel on face and mane to try to tone down the "highly offensive smell that can be described as a combination of the odors of rotten eggs, garlic and burnt rubber," as Wikipedia describes it:

The smell aside, the spray can cause irritation and even temporary blindness, and is sufficiently powerful to be detected by even an insensitive human nose anywhere up to a mile downwind.

We weren't really worried about permanent damage, as Tiny was easily distracted by kitty treats. When we brought out some bits of freshly poached chicken, Baby came bounding in for his share. Tiny loves having her ruff rough combed with a metal kitty comb -- AKA a petting aid -- and that brought on the purrs. She spent the rest of the morning grooming and napping and was back to her normal wide-eyed, sunny self by midday.

"Glad she has recovered emotionally," imails Goomp this afternoon as we report that she is all dry and silky again, her eyes bright and clear, all smiles if still a little stinky.

"She needs a little Arm & Hammer deodorant," quips Goomp. We googled and found a plausible do-it-yourself recipe [Wikipedia explains the chemistry]:

If you have hydrogen peroxide, baking soda (not powder), and dish soap handy, you can mix up a bath that neutralizes the smell. An easy to remember recipe of one pint of hydrogen peroxide, one small box of baking soda, and a couple of squirts of any dish washing liquid mixed in a gallon of water makes an effective, scientifically based antidote. The recipe must be mixed up and used quickly; it loses its effectiveness within about an hour, and it will explode if it's kept in a covered container. CAUTION: hydrogen peroxide can blind your pet if it gets into their eyes. There is the possibility that it will bleach what it touches through oxidation, so it might turn a black dog brown or grey until the natural color of hair grows back out.

Beyond the possibility of blinding and bleaching "your pet," has the author ever actually tried to bathe a cat? Tiny draws blood if we comb her the wrong way. We'll probably stick with a few more towel applications of Nature's Miracle. Meanwhile, we loved Darwin's take [via Wikipedia] of this New World species described in his Voyage of the Beagle:

We saw also a couple of Zorillos, or skunks -- odious animals, which are far from uncommon. In general appearance the Zorillo resembles a polecat, but it is rather larger, and much thicker in proportion. Conscious of its power, it roams by day about the open plain, and fears neither dog nor man. If a dog is urged to the attack, its courage is instantly checked by a few drops of the fetid oil, which brings on violent sickness and running at the nose. Whatever is once polluted by it, is for ever useless. Azara says the smell can be perceived at a league distant; more than once, when entering the harbour of Monte Video, the wind being off shore, we have perceived the odour on board the "Beagle." Certain it is, that every animal most willingly makes room for the Zorillo.

Don't we wish.

Comments

[goomp]

It is interesting that skunks have made your open area in the city their home. Living in a large country area we seldom see skunks and our kitties running loose avoid contact with the skunks and fox who live in the area.

[Teresa]

Yes, we rarely see anything except chipmunks (which we have in abundance living in the rock walls) I don't believe I've seen a since possum, skunk, or raccoon since we've moved out to the wilderness. *grin*

Poor Tiny. Hope the smell wears off soon!!!

[fraydna52]

Awww, poor Tiny. A few years ago our little Silky Terrier, Shadow, got skunked. The passage of time helped with the smell, but even weeks later, we could still detect eau de skunk on the top of her head. She was actually very proud of her new fragrance!

[pam]

Poor little Tiny! We don't have skunks [that I'm aware] but an abundance of raccoons and possum. And feral cats who mark our house. Can't forget them.

[Elisson]

Hoo, boy. Not fun at all for Tiny. It's one of the risks faced by the Outdoor Cat.

Quotable quote of the day:

"Certain it is, that every animal most willingly makes room for the Zorillo."

[kimsch]

In the fall we had a large skunk that came to visit and eat the bird seed that had fallen from the feeder in the tree. I believe that it was at least 18 inches by 12 inches. Yeah, about the size of a piece of 11x17 paper. Big 'un.