There's an Odor in the Air

Monday I shared my first story about my life in the country. "In the country" means ten minutes from all the amenities you'd need and about two minutes from the lake, but life sure feels country-like out here.



Last Tuesday night, we learned just how country this peninsula is. Our dog was enjoying her last bathroom break of the night when she saw something in the bushes.

I, meanwhile, was getting ready for bed. Suddenly, the dog came running in, bringing the strangest odor I've ever smelled in my life with her.

What was that...?

She'd encountered a skunk, my husband said after one whiff.



It sure didn't smell like any skunk I'd ever smelled. It smelled like tear gas or bomb smoke. It was a horrible scent that immediately invaded the air.

So we locked her in the bathroom and did what anyone does when facing...well, anything these days. We Googled.



According to Mythbusters, the hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap concoction long recommended by experts was the best way. 



We tried it. It was somewhat successful.

However, getting it out of the house was another matter. The next morning, I opened windows, put bowls of vinegar around the house, and sprayed Lysol. I also ordered some shampoo and spray, since I could still smell a small hint of skunk on our dog.




It arrived Friday afternoon. Friday around midnight, it happened again. I was asleep when my dog came running in, drying herself off on the comforter. That smell!

So we shampooed her. We sprayed the comforter down. Not a trace of scent. The next morning, she smelled fruity. The house still had traces of skunk, though. So I opened the windows, turned on all the fans, and set vinegar around again. Once the windows were closed, I sprayed the professional stuff.



The house smells normal once again. I know MythBusters takes a scientific approach, but my sniffer says the professional sprays and shampoos work best!