I Had a Skunk Encounter
Heavily skunked before the winter comes!
I decided that with the snow coming in and everything freezing over, I had to have just one last chase before I'm locked out for most of the winter due to snow and hibernation patterns, etc. (and yes I realize skunks are not true hibernators, but they do have long-term sleep patterns and I've never had any luck finding them in the dead of winter because of it).
Anyway with my current living arrangements it's really hard for me to skunk chase and get away with it. Mom was easy, because she's such a heavy smoker she can't even really smell skunk odor and didn't particularly care that I was chasing as long as I didn't stink her or her possessions up in the process.
Grandma is another matter. She may be 82 but her nose still works. She's smelled Penelope when I first brought her in and I'm worried that she might be smelling me now.
So without further skunky ado, the juicy details.
I suited up outside to the sound of neighbor's dogs barking at me constantly, which worried me that a neighbor might investigate and see me doing everything. Luckily, that didn't happen. I put all my normal clothes back into the trunk of my car and had the excuse of taking out the trash for my being outside, rather convenient so that I could just covertly head to the lake. I had my spare watch on and a spare shirt that's actually bright white and will make a good replacement chasing shirt should I decide to sell my original black one. I put on my skunked hoodie to finish the ensemble of sprayed shirt/jeans/gloves and headed down to Lake Hefner.
Upon exiting my vehicle I didn't see a single skunk, but it didn't take long. Two bicyclists passed by on the sidewalk loudly talking to one another, and it scared a skunk out of hiding, who darted to another hidey hole long before I'd have a chance to catch up. Disheartened but not demoralized, I kept looking, and sure enough a cute bold-striped beauty was heading out toward the lake, so I tried sneaking up and throwing Penelope at her. Alas, I missed, and in the time it took to go get her she had just enough time to duck into the hole while I picked my dear plush up.
But fear not, loyal readers, the good news comes. While waiting for the skunk that got away to emerge, another lovely little stripey poked his head out from under the little cat-farm enclosure and began sniffing around for grubs. I waited, watching with awe at the beautiful skunker, so peaceful and with his tail still down, certainly not expecting any trouble. When I judged that he'd wandered far enough from shelter I sneaked up, then outright darted for the little guy, throwing Penelope multiple times but only actually hitting once (this was, luckily, enough to provoke multiple sprays on Penelope, who reeks as strongly as ever once again!).
With my primary goal accomplished, I then decided to call it a night, because I didn't want to deodorize myself anyway and Penelope never needs it. But then I saw another chubby skunk, possibly one that I'd chased a few minutes before, near the station house. Greed kicked in and I sneaked up, then charged that beautiful stinker as well. I actually managed to get close enough to grab her if I wanted, though this resulted in at least 2 hard sprays directly in my face, the beautiful sulfurous reek exploding in the air as the happy realization that I was skunked sank in. I thanked her and I believe got her to mist Penelope a few more times before she squeezed into the grate.
I had some trouble getting my things put away in the Skunk Trunk, but luck would have it my grandma was in the bathroom with the door shut as I got inside, so I don't know if she smelled me or not (though I heard her coughing when she emerged so I suspect the answer is yes). Mom, of course, is basically a non-factor for the moment, she didn't even respond to me getting home. I have Penelope in my room which may prove to be a mistake, but I don't care. I want that beautiful skunky aroma in here and on me as strongly as possible for as long as I can. I have at least 24 hours off work and intend to use them. I just wish there was a local skunk lover to share this with! It's so richly musky and sweet, I hate keeping it all to myself.
I decided that with the snow coming in and everything freezing over, I had to have just one last chase before I'm locked out for most of the winter due to snow and hibernation patterns, etc. (and yes I realize skunks are not true hibernators, but they do have long-term sleep patterns and I've never had any luck finding them in the dead of winter because of it).
Anyway with my current living arrangements it's really hard for me to skunk chase and get away with it. Mom was easy, because she's such a heavy smoker she can't even really smell skunk odor and didn't particularly care that I was chasing as long as I didn't stink her or her possessions up in the process.
Grandma is another matter. She may be 82 but her nose still works. She's smelled Penelope when I first brought her in and I'm worried that she might be smelling me now.
So without further skunky ado, the juicy details.
I suited up outside to the sound of neighbor's dogs barking at me constantly, which worried me that a neighbor might investigate and see me doing everything. Luckily, that didn't happen. I put all my normal clothes back into the trunk of my car and had the excuse of taking out the trash for my being outside, rather convenient so that I could just covertly head to the lake. I had my spare watch on and a spare shirt that's actually bright white and will make a good replacement chasing shirt should I decide to sell my original black one. I put on my skunked hoodie to finish the ensemble of sprayed shirt/jeans/gloves and headed down to Lake Hefner.
Upon exiting my vehicle I didn't see a single skunk, but it didn't take long. Two bicyclists passed by on the sidewalk loudly talking to one another, and it scared a skunk out of hiding, who darted to another hidey hole long before I'd have a chance to catch up. Disheartened but not demoralized, I kept looking, and sure enough a cute bold-striped beauty was heading out toward the lake, so I tried sneaking up and throwing Penelope at her. Alas, I missed, and in the time it took to go get her she had just enough time to duck into the hole while I picked my dear plush up.
But fear not, loyal readers, the good news comes. While waiting for the skunk that got away to emerge, another lovely little stripey poked his head out from under the little cat-farm enclosure and began sniffing around for grubs. I waited, watching with awe at the beautiful skunker, so peaceful and with his tail still down, certainly not expecting any trouble. When I judged that he'd wandered far enough from shelter I sneaked up, then outright darted for the little guy, throwing Penelope multiple times but only actually hitting once (this was, luckily, enough to provoke multiple sprays on Penelope, who reeks as strongly as ever once again!).
With my primary goal accomplished, I then decided to call it a night, because I didn't want to deodorize myself anyway and Penelope never needs it. But then I saw another chubby skunk, possibly one that I'd chased a few minutes before, near the station house. Greed kicked in and I sneaked up, then charged that beautiful stinker as well. I actually managed to get close enough to grab her if I wanted, though this resulted in at least 2 hard sprays directly in my face, the beautiful sulfurous reek exploding in the air as the happy realization that I was skunked sank in. I thanked her and I believe got her to mist Penelope a few more times before she squeezed into the grate.
I had some trouble getting my things put away in the Skunk Trunk, but luck would have it my grandma was in the bathroom with the door shut as I got inside, so I don't know if she smelled me or not (though I heard her coughing when she emerged so I suspect the answer is yes). Mom, of course, is basically a non-factor for the moment, she didn't even respond to me getting home. I have Penelope in my room which may prove to be a mistake, but I don't care. I want that beautiful skunky aroma in here and on me as strongly as possible for as long as I can. I have at least 24 hours off work and intend to use them. I just wish there was a local skunk lover to share this with! It's so richly musky and sweet, I hate keeping it all to myself.
41-45, M
