Since I’ve had Jazz and Ocho, August has always been “the month of the skunk.” It is the time when skunks are out and about in urban neighbourhoods; and it’s also typically the time when my dogs like to “investigate” these furry yard intruders. The results are somewhat predictable, each and every August.

Usually, when the two set off in pursuit of a furry critter, it doesn’t end to well for the target. Quite the opposite is the case when the critter happens to be black and white and stomps its feet on the ground right before turning around and… well, you know.

It’s going on close to two weeks since Jazz and Ocho decided to take on a wee skunk that was in the backyard, later described as “really cute” by my partner who at least had the good sense to run away when the skunk turned its back to him. Unlike certain other members of the household.

We’ve been down this road before and thankfully as a result I had some skunk repellent in the house because, as I can say from experience, the longer you delay the inevitable baths and pourings-on of de-skunking products, the worse matters get. There are home remedies (I’ll post one below,) but for my money the commercial products are more effective and, let’s face it, in the midst of the post-spray chaos of dogs (and people) freaking out, grabbing a bottle of something ready-made is a lot easier than whipping up a concoction in the kitchen.

In any case, Ocho usually gets it the worst, which really comes as no surprise to anyone who knows him. He is a clown, an explorer and as far as I can tell has not a lick of common sense when it comes to picking fights. The last fight of memorable record involved Ocho taking on a huge buck in a forest preserve. That decision ended with Ocho in the creek, gored through the groin and a very pissed off buck chasing Ocho, Jazz and I out of the forest. Skunks are not quite so dramatic, thankfully.

This time, it was Jazz who seemed to get the worst of it, a fact I attribute to her blindness because she is usually much more wily than that. But get it she did and never have I seen a more unhappy Basenji diva. Between the skunking and the subsequent baths - truly, the water ritual was more torturous for both than the spray; Basenjis and water don’t really mix - she was beside herself.

September has arrived and while I’m still a bit nervous in the yard at night, history tells me that the month of the skunk is over. The only real surprise of this year’s skunking is that, two weeks past detonation I find myself actually almost liking the vaguely skunky smell of Jazz’s head when I kiss her. That and the opportunity to call her new names, like Miss SkunkyPants and Skunkaroo has been perhaps the only upside to this year’s incident.

Perhaps with now going on 14 years of skunkings, the ability to find the silver lining is just that much easier.

Here is a widely-known home remedy for skunk odour removal, though I do recommend having a ready-made commercial product on hand if there are skunks in your area:

Last week I was faced with meeting some long-lost relatives. I was a little nervous about the whole thing, so I did what most people would: I baked a dessert and borrowed an adorable Boxer puppy.

I pulled into my parents’ driveway with the reunion already in full swing. I entered the house like I always do, with Denver in tow. Denver trotted into the kitchen ahead of me and was greeted with a chorus of screams. My long-lost cousin’s doughters, it seemed, were terrified of dogs.

I quickly tucked Denver away into the gated-off dog room and went back to the car, figuring I would leave the puppy in her crate in the basement and sneak away for play sessions with her.

I was walking up the back steps when I heard another commotion coming from inside the house. I heard yells of “She’s got a puppy!” though this time they sounded decidedly excited. As soon as I opened the door the two young girls asked if they could hold her. I replied, confused “You like puppies?” I know it seems like a dumb question, but it didn’t compute to me that someone could be afraid of dogs but be totally taken by a puppy. My ‘couslets’ spent the rest of the evening fussing over and loving the happy puppy. Leading me to an inevitable conclusion: Puppies are magic.

Think about it. I mean, what was the real reason the cold war never became an actual war? Many historians would tell you it’s a number of reasons, but they’d be wrong. The real reason is because Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev gifted the Kennedys a puppy (a space puppy). Could you ever wage war on a guy who gave you a puppy? Didn’t think so.
So the next time you find yourself facing a particularly tricky situation, bring a puppy with you. Trust me.

This Sunday, starting at noon, dog lovers from across the province and even the country will gather in Toronto to fight against Ontario’s ban on ‘Pit Bull.’

Speaking at the rally will be MPP Cheri DiNovo. There will also be some fun to be had: Music, vendors, family activities, Canine Good Neighbour Testing, an agility course, contests  and prizes are all part of the plan. Plan on stopping by the Dogs in Canada booth for some freebies and to meet some of the bully-loving staff  and staff dogs.

Please plan to be there. As dog lovers we have to unite and let our government know what our Ontario includes all dogs!

Fans of The Dog Whisperer rejoice, Cesar Millan is coming to Canada. Cesar’s Canadian tour will be hitting major cities from Victoria to Montreal. If you are a fan of Cesar’s, you can score tickets now as part of a pre-sale. If you can’t get in on the pre-sale deal, clear some time on August 30, when the tickets go on sale for the general public.

Okay, raise your hand (in the comments) if your planning on going!