Once A Skunk Dog, Always A Skunk Dog

For almost ten years I worked in a small animal veterinary clinic and, among many other things, learned that most dogs will never learn. It amazed me how many times we would see a dog come into the clinic for the same reason it had been there the last five times.

The most obvious of these were the dogs that came in to have porcupine quills removed. Now, if I got a face full of painfully sharp and barbed quills, I would be very careful to prevent it from happening again. Not so for dogs. ‘Quill dogs’ just can’t resist chasing down a porcupine.

Another repeat offense was being sprayed by a skunk. Usually this did not require a visit from the dog, but a few people were sure to stop in every year asking me to wash their freshly skunked dog, even though we did not provide grooming services. On those occasions I would sell them a de-skunking shampoo, or provide them with a recipe they could make.

I remember many conversation with clients where  the phrase, ‘once a skunk dog, always a skunk dog’ was uttered with a shake of the head and a downcast look. At the time I would give a little smile and respond that I was quite lucky to have dogs that were smart enough to stay away from skunks.

What goes around, comes around.

Fast forward a few years and enter Jack, our Australian shepherd. Jack is often a smart dog. You tell him no and he stops. Call him and he comes. Tell him to get away from a fish and after a second look, he’ll get away from the fish (very handy when hooks are flying). Jack, however, is a skunk dog.

I don’t understand his fascination with the skunks. At first I thought it was because he had a buddy that was a black cat and maybe he thought he was just visiting a friend. After he was sprayed three times, I started to realize he just wasn’t computing that the funky black kitty was making him smell and causing Darrell and I to scream in horror.

This morning Jack found another skunk to try and make friends with. I woke up well before my alarm, because of the intense smell of a dog that had received a direct hit. It was not a great way to start the morning.

Jack has now had a bath with the amazing recipe that eliminates skunk odor almost instantly. Molly was given lots of kisses and praise for not visiting with the skunk. The house absolutely reeks, despite my best attempts at cleaning and covering up the smell, and all the clothes that were downstairs this morning now need to be washed. With any luck the smell of skunk will leave my nose in the next few days. I have begged Jack to stay away from all creatures outside.

What more can I say? Once a skunk dog, always a skunk dog.

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Recipe For Skunk Odor Removal

• 1 quart 3% hydrogen peroxide
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap

Mix the ingredients together in a bowl or bucket. Never put this solution in a closed container. Use the solution immediately, when it is at its most effective. Apply the solution to your dog, let sit for 5-10 minutes, rinse thoroughly. Be careful not to get the solution in your dogs eyes. I often add some warm water to the solution to make it easier to apply to Jack’s thick coat.

*This is only for reference, always seek medical advice from a veterinarian.

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argosgirl

Sporadic blogger and sometimes podcaster who loves fishing, the outdoors, hanging with her animals, gardening, and reading manga.

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