Saturday, September 13, 2008

Dodging The Bullet

Last night just after dark, I decided to go outside for awhile, knowing that these nice warm evenings won’t be around much longer. So I opened the door and was halfway out before I saw him, not more than 2 feet away, directly in front of me, the light from the doorway shining on his up-turned face.

Looking down at him, I said in the calmest, softest voice I could manage considering the circumstances, “Well hello Mr. Skunk. How are you this evening?” He stood there, tail at half mast, looking up at me and at the foot that was poised in mid-air almost directly above his head (hey, statues have nothing on me when it’s a matter of remaining fragrance free). Then he slowly turned around (gulp, watch that tail, watch that tail) and being a perfect gentleman this time, he lowered that tail as he waddled off next door to see if he could find a nice little snack over there.

Watching those bright white racing stripes fade off into the darkness, I finally came all the way out and reminded myself that at this time of year, at this time of night, look outside BEFORE you just bounce out willy nilly.

And no, I did not get a picture. I must admit that there for a fleeting moment I did consider running to get the camera hoping that he would “hold that pose” and not be startled enough to spray my door, my house, and the entire neighborhood, but common sense prevailed this time and I remained still. So no picture. It think it was a wise choice, but I’m also thinking that one of these days, if I’m not careful, that camera is going to get me into a whole heap of trouble.

14 comments:

RURAL said...

Hey flydragon, great post ! You had me at the beginning, I was wondering what it would be just outside your door. To tell you the truth, I had thought it might be a bear. But it's good that you did not run and get the camera. LOL.
I have heard that tomato juice or vinagar works well, if you forget the next time he visits.
Jen

flydragon said...

Hi Jen,
Lordy, if I ever had a bear by my door, someone would have to be calling the paramedics. Although with the deer being around my house this year, maybe the idea of a bear isn't all that farfetched.

And after reminding myself just last night, a little while ago I just pranced outside again without looking. I guess I better stock up on tomato juice and vinegar, just in case.

beckie said...

Wow, that was close! Not only do you gave a garden, you have a wildlife preserve.

Dog_geek said...

Yikes! Well, I'm glad that your new friend didn't cause a big stink about you coming out of the house! I know that we've got a skunk around here somewhere - we've seen him in one of the neighbor's paddocks before. I just hope that he never introduces himself to our dogs!

flydragon said...

Beckie,
I don't really mind the "wildlife preserve", but I'd rather it didn't come quite that close to my front door.


D_G,
lol, I'm just glad I didn't shriek or try to slam the door. I think he might have put up a big stink about that!!
Hopefully that skunk and your dogs remain strangers.

TC said...

To be so cute-faced, skunks pack a helluva wallop on the other end. I'm glad your nighttime visitor decided to be a "Pepé Le Pew" gentlemanly skunk this time.

Nunya said...

i'd like to see you prancing. maybe i'll be the next surprise when you prance out the door. i'll have beer though, so it will be ok.

flydragon said...

TC,
They are kinda cute, aren't they? Maybe I will try to get a close up pic next time around, now that I know he's such a polite little fella. Uh huh.


C,
Never saw me prance around? You don't know what you're missing. And you better have a lot of beer with you, because you're going to need it after seeing that.

Roses and Lilacs said...

I can picture you frozen there, not moving, not breathing;) You did indeed dodge the bullet.
Marnie

Shady Gardener said...

Great title! :-) What a surprise! You were wise to hold still, I think!

Shady Gardener said...

ps Thanks for stopping by "my place!"

flydragon said...

Marnie,
I felt like I was in a "Roadrunner" cartoon where they pause in mid-air. I of course was Wiley the coyote about to become the big loser. Thankfully, this time old wiley was the winner.



Hi Shady,
Thanks for coming over.
I'm sure wisdom had nothing to do with it. Fear of scents, gave me common sense, this time at least.

Susie said...

Yeah, I think that was a wise move(or should I say no move) on your part.

flydragon said...

Susie,
lol, It seemed like forever, but was probably all of 5 seconds. He didn't want to stay around me any longer than I wanted to stay around him.