Coco Got Hit By A Skunk

I let Coco out tonight, for one last time around the backyard. And she took a little longer than usual. So I checked on her. She didn't come when I called her. It was pitch black out and I couldn't see a thing.

But I could smell a skunk.

I came in and got my shoes on and walked back out. She came to me, reluctantly. Ears down, no eye contact and squeaking like a little mouse.

Coco may be an Akita and a mighty service dog but she is also very much a princess. She prefers hopping over puddles and she enjoys being combed.

She was hit in the face once before, about a year or so ago. So I was surprised she fell for it again. Maybe she didn't get a chance to see it before.

But oh man, this one left quite the impression on her.

I put her back out. She gladly went. Then I got my rubber boots on, natch, and armed myself with an nearly empty container of laundry soap. I always use the last of the soap that's left in the bottom before I recycle it. It's good for cleaning floors and washing down cupboards. And it's good for some emergency situations, like the one I'm facing tonight. I diluted it with distilled vinegar and filled it the rest of the way with some water. And then I took out a small container of scented oil to doused on her after her late night bath.

I tethered her to the gate and turned the hose on. She submitted but wasn't keen on it. It wasn't as nice as taking a shower in the house. But the weather's warm so it isn't that bad. I hosed her down all over several times and then poured my concoction on her. Then I used the hose to spread it around and rinsed her. Then I sprinkled some of the oil all over her and towel dried her. That towel took up the trace of what was probably left around her face. I was careful not to get too close to her eyes.

Then we came in. I had already closed the bedroom doors. And I had laid a couple of towels on the floor. I towel dried her and now she is laying on one of the fresh towels I'd spread out on the floor. She doesn't smell bad, except a little on her nose up by her eyes. I'll work on that some more with a wash cloth tomorrow.

So here is a picture on a beautiful Akita princess on a sunny day this summer.

And here is Coco after getting hit in the face by a skunk. Whew!


Well, it's a new day.
Coco smells pretty good this morning. My concoction worked so good.

Coco couldn't wait until I woke up. She kept wanting to go back outside last night. I wasn't sure if she had killed the squirrel or just wanted to make sure it didn't come back in the yard. But I was tired and had enough of the whole deal for one night. After I had a good eight hours and a fresh cuppa tea I'd see what was up.

So in the early morning light I took Coco into the backyard with her leash on her. She took me over to see the squirrel. I guess Coco hit back. After tea I'll take a refresher course on how to bury a squirrel in your backyard 101 and then I'll do the damn thing. I'm glad Coco is up-to-date with all of her shots.

I have, Singin' In the Rain's Good Morning song playing in my head. Think I'll find the video and play it.

GOOD MORNING SONG with a little Tap too
Good Morning!!!!

Onda Vaga - Spontaneous Combustion

I dig this the most. Spontaneous music happening? Who needs an arena? Who needs a personna? Who needs a recording studio?

If you don't ask for money you can play for free just about anywhere.

People forget how much raw music affects them. Making that musical connection randomly, no frills, just music

That's a real blast.

We should never wait for an opportunity to be creative to open up for us? We should just be creative wherever we are. For free.

Being free to grow and develop and connect with an audience has got to be the coolest way to spend a bit of time in the day. Wouldn't it be something if music filled the streets? For free?

Word would pass so fast about the whose and whats and wheres and hows.

Spontaneous Combustion, I like it.

Will It Sun Up Enough?

will it sun up enough
to put a load out on the line

is there a breeze blowing
through the tops of the trees
is it calm

clouds are towering in the distance
think I'll wait awhile

think I'll sand the rest of that bench
and maybe put a first coat on it
should I work on canvases first

think I'll take my girl for a walk
before getting focused
on the work ahead

look at that
a white streak through gray clouds
like a shelf half way up the sky
the distance is getting dark
think I'll take a video shot of this

not so long ago
a family of black birds
where having a flap and a hop
on the top of the bird bath

oh
that's the cat

why is thunder so high up in the sky
not one good bolt
like it used to be
when you heard a loud calp of thunder
and then you'd see a bright flash of light
wasn't it
count and every count stands for a mile
and that's how you could tell how far away
that lightening came from
I wonder if that really is true
I've never doubted it
it's what Grandma always said

now the rain seems to be coming from
higher up
so does the thunder
instead of distinct
beginnings and ends
there are rumblings that some times
shake the whole house
yeah
like that one right now

I should turn off the computer
but I feel like being daring today
that's such a strong steady rain
almost straight up and down

wow

looks pretty flooded out there
I shook off an ominus feeling
and let the ribbons flood my soul
flood should so be spelled flud

tap tap tap
windows open
then they close
it's your turn
to blow your nose