Greta got sprayed by a skunk!
Yes, she did.
I know. It's unbelievable. For several reasons. Let me elaborate.
My yard is completely fenced in, with two big dogs lording the domain most of the time. No skunk, even one as dumb as Bambi's Flower, would venture into this yard. I don't even have any squirrels, yo!
It is young Nico, not the good Great Dane Greta, who strays from the yard.
How did she get sprayed? The events unfold . . .
I was in O-town for a couple of days last week, staying with Philly, because every day brought a new reason to work late and stay away from home. Greta and Nico were kosher, being left with plenty of food and water and an over-anxious neighbor who feeds them even when I ask her not to.
So, I come home after a couple days gone. Nico's broken his collar and is roaming the neighborhood, no doubt "terrorizing" old ladies and redneck neighbors (read: sarcasm).
Greta was in the yard. I wrangled Nico, and all was happy and fine in the Agua Valley household, until . . .
"What the FUCK is that smell?"
and half an hour later:
"What the FUCK is that smell?"
Took me two days to figure it out because either I'm extremely smell-challenged or Greta was avoiding me.
Friends come over.
"Do you smell that?"
Friends: "No."
"I think it's Greta. Sniff her."
After bemused looks, one reluctant friend does. His response: "Oh my God. She's been skunked."
And so she had, folks, so she had.
Of course this realization came during the weekend of snow and ice, so I couldn't take her outside to bathe her, and there was no way I was employing a tomato juice bath on a 150 lb. Great Dane INSIDE!
So, as any self-respecting 21st century person would do, I resorted to the internet. The most prevalant, and efficient, remedy posted was one made up of peroxide, baking soda and liquid soap.
Sounds good to me. I have those things. So I mix the concoction. And I apply it. And reapply as needed and reapply as needed and reapply as needed.
Call me a dumb blond, without being a blond.
But Greta is now. Or at least a dull red head, around her roots. Thank god she only got sprayed on her neck.
She doesn't stink anymore, but it will take a while for her hair to grow completely black again. I'm such an idiot.

Why she got sprayed? Go figure. I did find out a couple things, by consulting the dependable locals:
It is skunk rutting season. They are about.
It probably wasn't in the yard. Wouldn't take the risk. But it might've been at the fence, and she surprised it, and thus was sprayed.
Most dogs only get sprayed on the face and neck (see: Greta) because once the spraying starts, they retreat and turn away.
I have unbelievably bad luck with my dogs.

Take your pick. It's been yet another adventure.
Wouldn't the reality TV crew have been amused?

Peace,
CL