The Invisible Cloud Came Running

It lunged from behind the bush. Its telltale shape, characteristic white stripe and bushy tail, had come to visit that day. “Stay away from me, little girl” he seemed to scream. “Go away”, he warned “or I will let you have it”! And so he did. Little 'Ella', our son and 'daughter's' 17-pound, 16-month old mini-schnauzer, now had something to call her own. It was a moment to remember. Eight days ago, Ella met a skunk!

It was a sunny day when the gunslinger came to town waving his weapon towards all who would dare come near. ... Ella stood there, realizing, that, perhaps, tempering her enthusiasm for investigating all things that moved outdoors should have been seriously considered. ... One look should have sufficed but her zealous, youthful, happy-go-lucky nature had not yet matured. She did not know that a skunk was a different kind of soul mate, not easily understood or liked by many in the neighbourhood. They had met in a most unlikely way. ... (Mall Cop, her older brother, was kept inside, watching and wondering when he was going to be allowed outside to investigate, too.)

A flurry of activity to contain and, hopefully, eliminate this horrid smell, began immediately. ... ("What was all the fuss about, anyway? Mall Cop mused. I didn't see anything.") Volunteers were on site, working in tandem, to remove the odorous cloud that had enveloped this innocent, young pup. A tiny, joyful bundle of energy had been attacked by a skunk. She did not deserve it. ... 'Ella' hoped her 'new costume' would soon disappear. ... Nighttime would be here. She would be coming indoors to sleep, perchance to dream, if at all possible, without that scent following her into the house. ... Though she was a talkative little thing, at times, she always listened whenever mom or dad called her, unlike her older brother. Typically, he would pontificate before strongly being advised to follow instructions, now. ... (But he was still "sooo goood", his dad would say, often.)

Miss E's compliance, that day, with the stringent washing routine was a top priority. ... All regular business ceased that afternoon. ... An emergency run to the pet store for specific bathing remedies and a strict adherence to bathing protocols of untold dimension began, in earnest. ... Just like last week's, The Country Girl Inside Me, an unthinkable act had occurred. In this current medical dilemma, however, a heavy male presence dominated the scene, all working together to help purify this cute little thing and restore her to her former sweet self. (Her older brother could only wait and wonder, “Was I next for a bath? I just had one. Why do I need another, so soon?") ... I was disheartened when told of the nuisance event, but comforted by the lessons it was about to teach us all.

Thank you, Mr. Skunk, for bringing life to a standstill for all of us. ... 'Ella' had not been attacked by a predator whose modus operandi might have been claws, teeth and terror! She had been touched by an odorous cloud, an invisible dome, a skunk's unique signature of protection. Ella would live to tell the story. ... She did not require a vet's visit or emergency surgery. ... A car had not hit her. ... She had not been kidnapped. ... She was still here, in one piece and in the same body in which she awoke, that morning.

I thought of the coyotes, raccoons and other menacing creatures that I have met in the country that could have easily confronted her that day and altered our whole family's emotional landscape, in an instant, forever changing the lives of at least 13 people. In those instances, she would not be with us. Even other dogs could have posed a threat to her. This time it was a skunk, a very 'strong' reminder of what did happen and more importantly, what did not. ... Miss Cutesy Pie's personality remained in tact, though more cautious about returning outside, the next day, where 'it' might be lurking, somewhere, for her return. ... Within 24 hours and after many specialized bath treatments, she was good as new, smelling like toasted coconut now, up close and nose to nose. ...Our little girl was fine.

The outdoors is called that for a reason. Indoors is generally a safer, more predictable place, where we humans are generally the masters of our own fate.. Mother Nature's home is a place we visit. It is not our place. Danger, beauty, the unpredictable and unimaginable, in all forms, are some of her endless disguises. We must be respectful and careful. Her power is endless and far-reaching. Ella resumed her activities with her brother, Mall Cop, the next day along with her high energy, playful, overzealous cousin, Mr. Wiggles. ... She could outrun them both and send them on their way, playfully. With Mr. Skunk, however, it would be a different kind of story. ... Even if he went away, he could still be with her, in a not so funny way!