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Ok. I don't know what is going on cosmically, but things around here are totally out of whack.
My son likes to change his own motor oil. Great. It is an economy. He saves a bundle not going to Jiffy Lube. So what does he do with the dirty motor oil he drains from his truck? Oh, he leaves it on our side yard of course. We have been asking him for a l.o.n.g. time to get rid of it. He meant to do it any time now. But he didn't.
This afternoon Sophie discovered some prairie dogs nesting in our wood pile. She dismantled the wood pile and managed to kill yet another prairie dog. Ah, but there was one more in there. She completely knocked down the wood pile, and tipped over some of the dirty oil containers while she was at it, trying to catch that one last critter.
When my husband got home, there was Sophie, all proud about the dead prairie dog, but also covered with dirty motor oil.
This is no joke people. Animals can die from licking the oil off of their fur or feathers. Plus, with all that black oil on her, there is no way she could ever come into our house again. So, my husband started bathing her at 5:00. When I got home at 7:00, he had just taken her out of her third bath in dishwashing liquid. She was still oily.
We filled the bathtub AGAIN and DH got in with Sophie, who I must say, was being a great sport about three hours of baths. We scrubbed her and scrubbed her, and then at 8:00 when I started to use my dryer to blow dry her fur, she was still oily.
She is dry now (but still black and oily), and in her crate, and tomorrow she is going to the dog groomer, where I have no clue what they will do with her. Shave her bare? How else to get rid of the oil?
It is a mess I tell you. The perfect capper to a pretty sub-standard week. I have really been trying to be positive, but I may have reached my limit.
Next day update:
Sophie is pretty tired today from all the fussing over her yesterday afternoon. One of her eyes is all bloodshot--she must have gotten oil in it. Lucky for us she loves water, so all the baths we had to give her were tolerated very well. We seem to have gotten most of the oil off of her, but her fur is darker on her paws, back legs, and on her face. You can see from the picture that she is not her usual color. Her back end is supposed to be the same red color as her head. She is curled up in her favorite spot for her morning nap--on my unmade bed.
Oh Nicole, bless your heart. What an absolutely dreadful experience. And how frightening to be worried about Sophie licking the oil. I would be beside myself with worry. Good luck at the groomers tomorrow. I hope things turn out well. Poor Sophie, stuck in her crate, wondering what she did wrong. She is a little mischief-maker, isn't she?
Posted by: Allyson in Alaska | August 13, 2009 at 09:10 PM
When you bathed her, did you use Dawn dishwashing detergent? That's what they use for birds & other wild life.
Posted by: LizA. | August 13, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Yes, Dawn dishwashing detergent is the BEST. I had a parakeet that flew into a fly strip one time.....then flew into the carpet. Stuck to the carpet and completely gooey with fly strip stick'em and the vet said to use DAWN. It worked like a charm.
Posted by: Molly in Sumner, WA | August 13, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Aw, the poor thing. Hopefully the groomer can get it all out without Sophie having to go nude!
Posted by: Kate | August 13, 2009 at 10:47 PM
oh no, poor sophie, guess your son will learn to get rid of the oil after he pays this groomers bill!
Sophie will still look adorable when she comes home from the groomer today, hopefully they have some special soap that will get it all out
YOU I think need a weekend in your sewing room working on what you want to or maybe a trip to the quilt shop????
Kathie
Posted by: kathie | August 14, 2009 at 01:11 AM
Oh Nicole...poor Sophie, and you're husband, bless his heart and you...OMG! You all need a wonderfully long, restful, peaceful weekend. Please take care!
Posted by: Carol | August 14, 2009 at 02:57 AM
OH AH I bet your son is in trouble now poor sophie was just having fun. The joys of having pets they get in to mischief I hope it all turns out well for sophie.
Hugs Mary.
Posted by: Nanna mary | August 14, 2009 at 03:01 AM
Oh my!! I feel for you. What a mess. I hope the groomer can work wonders! I am sending well wishes for a good weekend your way!
Posted by: Jennifer Hogsed | August 14, 2009 at 05:15 AM
Poor Sophie. . . .but this experience may (I said may)keep her from the wood pile. I haven't known too many dogs that like getting baths, and not as many as she endured.
Has DS finally moved the oil?
Take care,
Sherry V.
Posted by: Sherry | August 14, 2009 at 05:20 AM
Have your son get her clean! Poor thing! She was SO proud of her achievement, and you turn around and "punish" her with baths. Sounds like something my sons and critters would do here.
Posted by: becky | August 14, 2009 at 05:42 AM
Oh goodness! I definitely think that your son should pay for the groomer with all of that "extra" money that he should have since he's been saving it by doing the oil on his own! Hope that all ends up well...and that she doesn't lose all of her hair in the process :(
Posted by: Dianne | August 14, 2009 at 06:05 AM
Dawn is the product and your son is the bather/groomer!
Posted by: Laurel | August 14, 2009 at 06:47 AM
The rescue shelters here in the Northwest all use Dawn dish detergent (the original formula) to clean birds and animals after oil spills because it cuts through the grease the best. Hope all comes out well (pun intended to make you smile in a bad situation!). ~Adrienne~
Posted by: Adrienne | August 14, 2009 at 06:47 AM
Poor Sophie! I hope she doesn't have to lose all her hair to get rid of the yuckky grease.
Posted by: Lisa D. | August 14, 2009 at 07:19 AM
Poor you. xo
Posted by: pam | August 14, 2009 at 07:21 AM
I know, I know. It's not funny when it's your dog in this mess. But I can't stop laughing. Sorry. Bad dog, Sophie!
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | August 14, 2009 at 07:57 AM
re dirty oil - take it to auto zone - they recycle it - so does wal mart (here) and likely other auto type stores. If he won't do it, hire someone and send him the bill!
Poor Sophie - and blessings to ya'll as you cope!
Posted by: quiltdivajulie | August 14, 2009 at 08:32 AM
Oh bless your heart! Personally, I'd go "all in" for the shave down. I had a situation once (different yet dramatic) and is just said the heck with it - shave 'em all down. Three furry's went bald.
Gosh girlfriend, what a story. Hang in there.
Posted by: *karendianne. | August 14, 2009 at 09:01 AM
We def need an update. It's been said what I wanted to say...Sophie is not in trouble...your $on $hould be. Poor thing...she was doing what she does...chase down prairie dogs. How is she supposed to know that the wood pile is off-limits.
Posted by: Christine Thomas, Napa | August 14, 2009 at 09:20 AM
I'm so sorry! Yes, Dawn liquid is the way to go. Take a bottle with you (or take one back if you've already gone). I had a cat come home one time covered in oil and I didn't realise it till she had sat on my couch!
By the way, I just had my oil changed yesterday at Jiffy Lube. It wasn't that much ($45.95 if they don't find air filters, etc. that need replaced). The best part is they check all those "fluidy things" that you forget to that can cause lots of damage ($) if they go empty. They put air in the tires if needed, which will improve gas mileage. AND they deal with the old oil.They check the serpentine belt. If that puppy breaks it's a major problem so they'll let you know the status of your belts. They recommend changing the oil every $3,000 miles, but Sweety says with todays autos and todays oil you can safely go at least twice that. So Ahren needs to be reminded of the adage, "penny wise, pound foolish".
I am so sorry for all of this, Nicole, and how tremendously stressful it is for you.
Sending lots of hugs!!
Posted by: Jean | August 14, 2009 at 09:29 AM
Have your son pour the dirty oil into an empty gallon milk plastic jug with a lid. Then recycle is easy.
Posted by: Shirlene in Oregon | August 14, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Poor Nicole! What a thing to happen. As others have said Dawn is the way to go to get oil out. It's what they use to wash animals hit by large oil spills.
Hugs.
Posted by: Cara | August 14, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Oh, Nicole! Hang in there. Let us know how Sophie is. And you, too.....
Posted by: Elaine S. | August 14, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Dishsoap is the best for animals! Sorry about poor Sophie~ah, oh I think someone's son is in a bit of trouble. He may owe her quite a few treats, and something for mom and dad may be in order, as well.
Posted by: Dorrie | August 14, 2009 at 12:29 PM
"sub-standard week"...more like the week from hell but keep those positive thoughts flowing.
I was so excited to see you had a post today but am so sorry for all of your troubles. I'm sure Ahren feels bad. Is there any clean-up required outside too?
I hope you have a peaceful and relaxing weekend...have you seen Julie and Julia...if not go..it's an adorable movie...just what you need.
Posted by: Thelma | August 14, 2009 at 12:39 PM