Pepe Le Pew

For a couple of years, we have known that we have skunks in the neighborhood. Not that we have ever seen them, but we definitely know when they have been in the yard or are in the yard. You know, that smell, that distinct smell!

Earlier this spring we had a rainy night where it rained heavily all night long. It was nice enough to still have the windows open and the rain was actually very soothing to sleep with in the background.

Sometime in the middle of the night, one of our little skunks decided to take refuge from the rain in the mulch underneath the bedroom window. And boy was he ever pungent that night. It was so strong, we knew exactly where he must be but we were afraid to close the window for fear of a spraying, which we definitely did not want to deal with. So, we tried to go back to sleep with the wonderful aroma of Pepe Le’ Pew for what seemed like the rest of the night.

I remember the next morning going out and seeing what appeared to be an indentation in the mulch under the window where it appeared something had been curled up. And there was the faint scent of eau de skunk, so we were pretty sure Pepe kept warm and dry by the foundation of our house.

Well, Pepe evidently likes this spot because we have had the joy of that experience a couple of other times this year, with last night being the most recent. We were able to open up the windows on Saturday after a month of having to run the AC non stop and were looking forward to a cool evening of fresh air as well.

I have had trouble sleeping all week and last night wasn’t any different. Around midnight I finally was dozing off when Pixie jumped up off my legs (digging her claws in to me in the process) and leaped from the bed to the window seat. Of course she woke me up and immediately I could smell that Pepe was back.

I could also see her silhouette in the window going back and forth as she scouted out her new nemesis. I was hoping she would not startle or upset Pepe since everyone knows what that would bring. She spent a few minutes swishing her tail and going back and forth before she finally settled down and silently conducted her guard duty. And I finally was able to go back to sleep; Pepe didn’t linger thank goodness.

So, as I fight taking a nap today so that hopefully I can sleep tonight, Pixie lies curled upon the placemats enjoying her cat nap after a long night of keeping Mommie and Daddy safe from that wretched Pepe.