Last night at 2:00 am, there was the nightly ruckus on the deck. Four Corgis chasing absolutely nothing, as is the usual procedure. Lots of toenails on wood decking, followed by the sounds of what we have learned to call, CORGI FRENZY!! Unfortunately, the frenzy became an uncontrolled hysteria. Believing that the little darlings had finally gone off the proverbial deep end, my husband and I drifted back to sleep (dreaming of our childless, dogless days :) ).

Twenty minutes later....all four have snuggled back to sleep on our bed. Two at our heads, one between us, and one at the foot of the bed. It was then, roused from the depths of sleep, that I noticed THE smell. Opening my eyes, I groggily looked about, and saw a noxious green cloud hovering over our bed. You have to take into consideration that I've had four children in five years, so noxious green clouds at 2:00 am are not that uncommon. What WAS uncommon was the my eyes, and nose started to run, I started to wheeze, I was gasping for air! This was bad! It was time to take action!

All four went IMMEDIATELY back outside. They did nothing but whine and scratch to get back in. Not a restful night! Our bedding was now permeated with the odor of skunk. It would not go away...it was like bad credit, it was here forever! Obviously, unable to sleep, I thought I might as well start the bathing process. Down we went to the "dog room". There was nothing in the house that resembled anything remotely catsup-like. You'd think with four kids...no such luck! I did find a VERY outdated bottle of cocktail sauce. I now start bathing the worst of the "bomb" victims, Edward, the fastest of the lot, who must have had his entire head buried up the skunk's rear end. Well, after much coctail sauce, and mild doggie shampoo, I'm now rewarded with the smell of skunk, old cocktail sauce, AND wet dog. That was ENOUGH! I took my own well deserved shower, and in the morning packed the dogs off to the groomer, who was kind enough to close her shop for the day (a necessity) and de-skunk the brood.

I now can commiserate with all the other victims...although our mishap could not have occured at a more opportune time....my in-laws arrive tonight from New York! I couldn't have planned it better if I had tried! Guess whose sheets they get to sleep on!??

Story by: Alden Murray