Mess with a skunk and, chances are, you'll end up the loser. In Minnesota, it is against the law to torment skunks. My guess is it was written to protect people not smart enough to leave them alone.

I wish someone could have explained that to my little Jack Russell terrier, Gabby, before she went nose-to-tail with a black-and-white neighborhood terror. Two weeks and countless treatments later, the offending odor still hovers around her head like a halo.

Laws? Skunks don't need 'em. They pass out their own brand of justice and it comes in the form of a foul-smelling liquid called musk that they spray when frightened. I guess it was only a matter of time before one of our dogs scared one during their evening walk.

Skunks carry their secret weapon in scent glands near the base of their tails. They are omnivorous, which is why they thrive just about anywhere they find insects, vegetation, eggs and garbage. They can make their homes in old dens from other animals, in brush piles or under buildings.

The most common is the striped skunk, about the size of a house cat and is black with a white stripe that divides into a "V" shape that runs from the forehead to the tail.

Younger children will need help from an adult. Follow the instructions on the packages of clay for safety and baking temperatures.

Supplies you will need:

4 Polymer clay in black and white.

Baking sheet.

Clay roller.

Preheat the oven.

Roll a piece of black clay into a 2-inch ball for the body. Work the clay with your hands until it is soft. Stretch the ball into the shape of a cone. The head will be the narrow end. Use your fingers to shape the head and indent it at the neck to distinguish it from the body.

For a tail, roll a small ball of black clay and pull it into a cone shape. Flatten it with a roller. For ears, roll two small balls of clay and pull into triangles. Attach to the sides of the head.

For eyes, make two tiny balls of black clay and a slightly larger ball for the nose. Set aside.

Roll a small amount of white clay into a tube. Push the clay onto the head and body for the stripe. Roll a larger ball of white clay, pull into tube and flatten for the tail stripe. Press onto the black tail. Press the tail onto the back end of the body. Make two tiny white balls for the eyes and flatten on either side of the skunk's head.

Attach the small nose and press the small black balls onto the eyes for pupils.

Bake as directed.