Off the Homestead: A visit to Quail Ranch: Look who got skunked!

 Ooops! The Off the Homestead series begins Thursday. Monday (tomorrow) is the Homestead Barn Hop! How could I forget that? It'll be fun, Please stop by.

 Howdy all. 

On Monday Thursday we will launch a new series, "Off the Homestead". Meanwhile, we want you to meet our new little friend to find what kind of "adventures" he's encountered ;). Come back on Monday to read about the North Coast's Quail Ranch.

Meet my little buddy, Lasso of Quail Ranch. Lasso is a one-year-old Lhasa Apso mix who lives up to the breed's reputation for being "lively, playful, spirited, devoted, alert, steady, obedient, energetic, friendly, fearless, intelligent, and assertive." They left out: not afraid of skunks.

Lasso after his bath

It was pitch black outside, but Lasso was out and about barking up a storm that morning. We could tell he was after something. One whiff of the dawn air explained it all:  he'd found a skunk...or the skunk found him. Ugh. 

Bath Time

Welcome, once again, to country living where getting skunked is sometimes a part of it. Fortunately--for all of us, the kitchen and pantry at Quail Ranch held all the ingredients needed to restore our little wet, muddy, skunky fur-ball friend to his former non-skunky self: Dawn liquid soap, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide (3%) and warm water, and lotsa towels. This "delicious" combination of ingredients eliminates the skunk smell instantly. 

Here's how you do it:

Lasso is small enough to fit into the tub sink in the garage, which we filled half-way with warm water. If your pet is larger, fill a bucket with one gallon of warm water, mix in the ingredients, then scoop the mixture onto it and scrub. Here's what you will need:

• A tub, deep sink or large bucket or two
• Several old bath towels
• Sponge or wash clothe
• 1/4-to-1 cup baking soda per gallon of warm water
• 1 pint-to-1 quart bottle hydrogen peroxide (We only needed a pint-size bottle. Use a small bottle for a small animal and a large bottle for a large animal.)
• 1 drop Dawn liquid dish soap. (Use only one drop or you will spend the rest of your day rinsing the suds off your pet.)
• Scrub/wash. Rinse. Repeat, if necessary. (One washing has always worked for me.)

Be careful to keep the mixture from the animal's eyes when you're washing and rinsing him. Using a sponge or wash clothe will help. 

All Clean Again

Lasso was a trooper; he endured his bath like a real sport. I know he liked the attention. I also happen to know that he's a veteran bath-getter and has met more than his fair share of skunks.

Interesting Note About Lhasa Apsos

Wikipedia tells me that the Lhasa Apso was bred as an interior sentinel in the Buddhist monasteries, to alert the monks to any intruders (and skunks) who entered.

Our hostess at Quail Ranch had never heard of this de-skunking concoction and was blessed by our readiness to get the job done for her.

Have you had to rid your critters of skunk smell? What works for you? Let us know!

Well, stop on by tomorrow so we can share more of our Off the Homestead adventure with you.

Disclosure: We have a personal relationship with the owner of Quail Ranch, but receive zero compensation for blogging about the ranch. Quail Ranch is available as a vacation rental.