I came home from a Toastmasters this evening to find a distinct odor of
skunk in my garage, and neither of my cats waiting to greet me.  Usually
Lindy is outside, staying out of the way until I get the car in and turned
off, then coming into the garage.  Occasionally she will be waiting in the
dining room as I go in through the kitchen door from the garage, and
Nanki-Poo shows up from some other room a few minutes later.  Since neither
of them appeared, either in the garage or in the house, I was worried.  I
wondered if one of both of them had been sprayed, since the skunk odor was
so strong.  I've smelled it here before, but usually rather faintly.  I
don't live in a rural area - there are houses on all sides - so it always
surprises me.

I had a couple of things to do before I started hunting, and just as I was
about ready to go out and look, Lindy came in through the cat flap.  I could
tell immediately that she hadn't been sprayed.  She was very demanding for
attention, almost as though she needed reassurance.

I got a flashlight and looked in the garage and outside for Nanki-Poo.  I
called him too, but I didn't see him.  I came inside, and a minute or two
later, I turned on the light outside the sliding glass doors.  I was
relieved to see Nanki-Poo on the patio, but concerned since he seemed
skittish.  I opened the sliding door, which doesn't open all the way, and he
was very hesitant about coming in, although he finally did.

He hadn't been sprayed either, thank goodness, but I can't help wondering if
it was a near miss, the way they are both acting.

Joy