I looked at the clock…2 a.m. Why on earth was Max barking at the back door? Was this a dream or had he actually jarred me out of a sound sleep? I believe it was the latter! I slowly got up, the barking still going strong, grabbed my flashlight and went out to the kitchen. I turned on the back porch light and there he was……..Sherman, the skunk, the friend I really don’t want to have!

A couple weeks ago at 6 am, Max and I were out in the back yard, taking care of business and Sherman came racing around the corner, stopped; looked at us; put his tail in the air and Max and I hightailed it in to the house. In the process of doing that, I slipped, sprained my back and knee and have been going to the chiropractor ever since to get things back where they belong! Thank heavens we did not get sprayed…..but, I wasn’t going to take any chances. I called a “skunk expert” and he said to put mothballs under my deck and shed. So, that is what was done. He said to take the dog out in front in the morning just to be safe. That is what I have been doing every day since.

Back to 2 am….I woke up fast, slammed the door and prayed he wouldn’t spray. I peeked out the shade on the window and he was still there, coming closer to the door. I took Max, went into the bedroom and sat there wondering what to do. I peeked out one more time and he was still there just looking up at the window. He was cute, but I knew what he could do if he got frightened or upset. I figured it would be best to just go back to bed and get some rest! I got Max calmed down and decided to be like Miss Scarlett and “think about it tomorrow!!”