OLD DOGS, SKUNKS, AND FIREFLIES

NOVEMBER 24, 1943

The Gilligan family was driving to Ellen's parents house in Washington, Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving. Patrick was driving and Ellen was in the passengers seat reading a book for their kids in the back seat.

"The end," Ellen finished reading.

"Again," replied 1 year old Willie.

"Look Willie it's Skipper the Dolphin Captain!" 6 year old Bridget exclaimed holding up a little stuffed dolphin with a captains hat.

"And Matey his first mate," 3 year old Danny added holding up a stuffed seahorse with a Dixie Cup hat.

"Let's set sail!" Bridget said. "Button your hats and moist the sails."

"Yay," Willie laughed and clapped his hands.

As they continued to play in the backseat they pulled up the driveway to Ellen's parents' farm house. Ellen noticed that her brothers and their families were already there. Her parents, Eugene and Iona O'Hara, met them in the driveway.

"Hey Mom hey Dad," Ellen replied hugging them as Patrick got the kids out of the car.

"Oh Ellen it's great to see you," they both said.

"Grampie, Grammie," Bridget and Danny called running up to them.

"Look it ye both, your getting so big," they said in very faint Irish accents and hugging them.

"Yay," Willie wailed clapping his hands while trying to squirm out of Patrick's arms.

"My goodness," Iona replied. "Look it Willie he's getting so big!"

"Indeed," Eugene replied as Patrick handed Willie to Iona. "Is he walking yet?"

"Oh he's walking," Ellen replied. "But we can't let him out of our sight for a second because he'll take off running and end up bumping his head or get cut."

"Don't worry dear," Iona comforted her. "He'll grow out it."

They all went inside and met up with Ellen's older brothers and their families. Owen and his wife Olivia and their 7 year old son Evan, 5 year old twin daughters Allison and Anna, and 2 year old son David. They all lived on the farm next door. Her other older brother Tomas and his wife Beatrice had a 7 year old son Timothy and a 4 year old daughter Tara. They lived in California. She also had two other brothers and three sisters who couldn't make it this year.

As they entered they heard a growling coming from the corner of the kitchen. They looked over and saw a really old Dachshund in a basket by the door.

"I can't believe Fitz is still alive!" Ellen replied.

"How old is he now?" Patrick asked?

"He just turned 21 years old," Iona replied.

"I'd keep the little ones away from him though," Eugene said. "He can be a bit grumpy."

"Wait, where's Willie?" Ellen asked looking around and spotted him waddling towards Fitz.

"Doggie," Willie called out and as everybody watched he began to pat Fitz. Fitz in turn rolled his tongue out the side of his mouth and wagged his tail.

"Awwwwwwe," everyone gushed.

"Huh," Eugene replied. "How about that!"

0o0o0o0o

Later that night after dinner everyone helped clean the kitchen as the kids played in the backyard. The older kids were playing tag while the younger kids were playing with blocks.

"Pair, Pair," they heard Willie call out!

"Does Willie want a pair?" Iona asked.

"No he's referring to the book I read to the kids." Ellen answered. "Pierre and Polly. It's about a little girl and her black and white striped cat."

"Uh oh!" They heard Danny say.

"Willie no!" They heard Bridget cry.

They gasped and before they could run out of the house they smelled something foul. Once outside they saw a skunk running into the woods and all the kids were holding their noses. Willie had gotten sprayed.

"Again," Willie called out clapping his hands.

"Oh no," Ellen replied picking him up wincing at the smell. "That's enough skunk encounters for a lifetime. Your getting a bath."

"Yay bath," Willie replied clapping his hands.

"Does anyone know how to get rid of skunk smell?" Ellen asked?

"Oh yes," Iona answered. "Blue, our sheep dog, got sprayed last year and we were able to make a wonderful remedy."

"Great," Ellen replied. "Let's get mixing!"

Within the hour Eugene and Iona got out their small metal wash tub and poured in as many cans of tomato paste as possible. Then poured in oatmeal and buttermilk and squeeze in some oranges and lemons. Iona then cut up some rose stems and tossed it in the tub and stirred it with a broom handle. Before placing him in the tub Iona dampened a wash cloth with some alcohol and rubbed Willie all over. Then Ellen placed Willie in the tub and lather him up with the concoction. Then they took him out, place him in another wash tub and hosed him down. Once that was down they brought him up stairs into the bathroom and bathed him again with soap and shampoo. After toweling him off the smell wasn't as strong and they sprayed a bunch of perfume on him. At this point Willie yawned and Ellen put him to bed.

"How long does the smell linger?" Ellen asked as they cleaned up.

"It lasts about a year and you'll only smell it when he's wet," Iona answered.

0o0o0o0o

The next night after everyone finished their big Thanksgiving meal they sat on the lawn in the backyard watching the star come out. As Ellen read a book to the kids she kept an eye out for skunks. Then Willie began laughing and pointing.

"Blink blink," Willie called out pointing around them.

They looked all around them and noticed fireflies flying all around them.

"Can we Mommy?" Bridget asked.

"You can," Ellen answered as Bridget took Willie's hand and ran around with the other kids and tried to catch the fireflies.

Eugene got out a jar and poked wholes in the lid and showed the kids how to gather a few in the jar. The kids gathered all around him and watched the fireflies fly around in the jar. After a few minutes he release them.

The fireflies seemed to be attracted to Willie because a bunch of them were flying around his head. A few them land on top of his head and seemed to have a conversation with each other. Willie was laughing the whole time causing everyone else to laugh. After fifteen minutes of this Willie stopped laughing and yawned. The fireflies left and joined the rest of the swarm.

"Bye bye," Willie called waving.

Everyone gathered the kids up and brought them inside to get them ready for bed.

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A/N: A Dachshund is a small dog with a long body and I've heard of small dogs living to be 29 years old. Also they have proved on an episode of Mythbusters that tomato paste doesn't get rid of skunk smell. Hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and liquid hand soap.