bug has been sprayed three times now - she keeps mistaking them for a cat. it doesn't help that we live in the woods and the skunks like the cat food.... (and that they sleep under my house some times)

anyway, i have learned that the skunk has two modes - a warning mode which only shoots about 4 feet and not a lot and then the "I gave you fair warning!" mode which shoots at least 6 feet and has a circumference of at least 12 feet. The spray is an oil base and caustic (like lemon juice in a paper cut). It also clings to any and everything and can be carried be air. it also can seep through floor boards (my dry cleaner made a fortune off of that night!)
The recipe does work. dishwashing soap is gentler on the animal's skin. tomato juice and lemon juice and all the acidic solutions do help dissolve the oil (which contains the stench).
And the final skunk thing, its really awful when your dog gets it full in the face and her eyes swell and turn red and starts foaming at the mouth BUT its not life or death - nothing that permanently scar or hurt (at least thats what the vet and the emergency clinic vet say) BUT if your dog gets it full in the face - a fan that they can sit in front of helps make them a bit more comfortable. And hold your nose and let them snuggle cuz they've just gotten the shock of their little puppy life!

Thanks for listening to my skunk trials....

and now on to fleas..... (just kidding!)