My favorite time of year, hunting season, is now underway. Cool crisp mornings warming to balmy Indian summer daytime temps. Hunting behind your favorite bird dog(s). What could be better? Right!
What could ruin that wonderful day? Your dog getting too close to a black and white striped (or spotted) critter – the skunk! Unfortunately, upland birds and skunks occupy the same territory and encounters with them are commonplace. The odor is terribly pungent, to say the least, and almost impossible to remove quickly. Almost is the key word here.
There is a solution (no pun intended) to the problem. A mixture of the following ingredients will do the trick:
- One (1) quart 3% hydrogen peroxide
- ¼ cup baking soda
- One (1) teaspoon liquid dish soap
- One (1) gallon of water
Once you mix the hydrogen peroxide with the baking soda, it is no longer stable. You cannot store the mixture in a bottle because it will explode due to the oxygen created from the chemical reaction! So, make only enough of the remedy that you need to use at one time. Mix the three ingredients together and use immediately. Begin by wetting your dog down with the water. Then apply the mixture working it into the dog’s coat. Leave the solution on the dog for 3 - 4 minutes and no longer than 4 minutes. Be sure not to get the solution into the dog’s eyes or ear canal. Rinse thoroughly and repeat a couple of times. This will remove enough of the odor to make it tolerable having your dog in the vehicle with you.
Enjoy the season and we will see you again next month,
C J,
Shawnee & Duchess