This has to be my least enjoyable encounter.

Many years ago in the process of moving, we had planned an early morning garage sale with some friends. It was a chance to unload stuff we didn't want to move. We parked the car on the street, stored everything in our garage, all organized, priced and ready to roll out.

While enjoying a coffee and a game of cards we were startled by a lot of shrieking outside and rushed to investigate. A cat and a skunk had tried to stake out some territory under our car.

The cat had injured the skunk and we called animal control. While waiting we tried to keep it corralled so it could be picked up and treated. It ran down between the houses and my neighbour and I split up to cut it off.

You may think you know the odour of skunk from driving and getting a whiff or from a trip in the country but from four feet away I took a full tank and it wasn't a mist.

Animal control arrived and found me gagging over the side of our hedge. He grinned at my neighbour who managed to stay well clear of me and said he wouldn't have to worry now, the critter was probably empty.

I spent the evening in the shower scrubbing until the hot water ran out. Into bed, alone and a fitful sleep.

Morning came and we opened the garage . . . there was no sale that day.