Michele 1 #1 March 31, 2003 Penguin is a cat. Penguin is shy, Penguin is homeless. Penguin is cute, sleek and disabled (she was hit by a car and she waddles, which is why she's named "Penguin"...). Once upon a time she lived with my neighbor. My neighbor got her spayed, and then turned her loose. The neighbor doesn't live here anymore. Penguin does. Bitchy-assed neighbor. I see Penguin during the day, and try to get close enough to pet her...but have had no success. At night, when I give my cats their dinner, I also have been putting out food for Penguin. Every morning, I collect the dishes, and they are clean. I think I am doing right by this thrown away kitty. Tonight, as I am switching the laundry, Charlotte and Esse are at the back door. They have always shown an interest in Penguin, and I figure it's been about an hour and a half since I put the food out, so it must be Penguin...I look out the door, see something, and think, well, maybe tonight she'll let me pet her. This is the dumb part. I unlock the door and open it. Not really looking, I open the door wide. Esse and Charlotte both arch their backs, hiss, and start yowling, running. Door open, I lean out to see what's going on, and in walks... ...saunters, may be a better word... No, strut. That's it.... In struts a furry, fuzzy, ring-eyed, huge (likely about 30 lbs) raccoon. I leap back, imitating the cats, and start hollering "shoo". So it does Shoo. Into the kitchen. I can't think what to do...the cats are screaming, I am barefoot, startled, and absolutely unprepared for a 'coon to be in my house. The 'coon, on the other hand, is staring at me. "Huh? Don't I belong here??" (They look just like the pictures this city girl has seen all her life). And now my neighbor Chad comes running, storms into my house, shouting at the top of his lungs "Leave her alone!" He does one of those trip-to-a-stop sort of thing and whacks his hip on the counter trying to climb onto it when he sees the 'coon. Chad's yelling. I'm hollering. The cats are shrieking...and the coon's standing there, looking around... I sidle around to the broom, grab it, and start waving it at the 'coon. Chad's girlfriend comes to the kitchen window, and says "I've called the cops. They're on the way"...and I reply "call Animal Control instead, please"... I manage to shoo the raccoon out the back door, get the cats back in, reassure the cops, and the Animal Control people have just left. They say they will set some traps, and to stop feeding it. Uh, yeah.... If I had known it was a freekin' raccoon, I would NOT HAVE FED IT!!! I wonder where Penguin is? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooked 0 #2 March 31, 2003 Funny story, thanks!!! I would have 'freaked'. J -------------------------------------- Sometimes we're just being Humans.....But we're always Human Beings. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snowbird 0 #3 March 31, 2003 Thank you Michele, I needed a good chuckle. Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VectorBoy 0 #4 March 31, 2003 Coon is good eating! Glen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weid14 0 #5 March 31, 2003 are you feeding it? Coons are nocturnal creatures, and typically scared of humans, when they start wandering around in the day like that there is typically something wrong with them, and you don't want to mess with them at all. yes, I grew up in the sticks..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newshooter12 0 #6 March 31, 2003 the last coon i saw wondering around during the day... my neighbor "disposed of" Texas style 12ga buckshot. at least it didn't suffer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #7 March 31, 2003 Hi, Weid... Well, I thought I was feeding Penguin. I have no idea when the raccoon discovered dinner was served on my porch. I did feed Penguin at the same time I feed my indoor girls, round about 6-6:30 p.m...nothing during the day. As for them being scared, this 'coon was anything but. He was very placid, really like he thought he belonged inside. I mean, I was feeding him...unintentionally as that may have been...and I have no intention of messing with him at all. He kept looking at me as if wondering "why is she yelling like that? This is my house..." Isn't it odd, though, that there'd be raccoons this far into the city? I mean, it was literally the last thing I thought would come waltzing into my house...lordy, lordy, lordy! I was thinking that if the broom didn't work, I'd start chucking the pots at him or something. Chad, bless his heart, was no help whatsoever. I'm still kinda wiggy about it... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
n2skdvn 0 #8 March 31, 2003 if animal control gets the racoon make sure they relocate it. i raised a racoon from an infant. so i have a soft spot for them, if ya want to drive him nutz leave out some saltines and a bowl of water. good luck with the little guy. if my calculations are correct SLINKY + ESCULATOR = EVERLASTING FUN my site Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ECVZZ 0 #9 March 31, 2003 ROFLMAO!! What a vivid picture! Weid is right, Glen is so wrong, and I'm still trying to catch my breath! Be glad it wasn't a skunk... G. Jones "I've never been quarantined. But the more I look around, the more I think it might not be a bad idea." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #10 March 31, 2003 Michele, That was just too funny. I can actually picture you in your place screaming at that coon. I do agree with Dave though as they can carry many diseases and can be dangerous. He can leave a nasty bite mark if he feel threatened. If I'm not mistaken he can carry rabies too. Be careful and watch your girls. (Yes, I live in the sticks too.) Glad you are ok and the bandit is gone. -- Hot Mama At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #11 March 31, 2003 My sides hurt from laughing so hard. Very vivid picture in my head of the whole thing. That just made my day.Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #12 March 31, 2003 that was a great read on a Monday morning, sorry to be laughing at your expense, but it is very funny Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevin922 0 #13 March 31, 2003 Man.. when I see you write 'coon I can't stop thinking about forrest gump.. what did he say?? something like "coons?? mama would.... (it escapes me)" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #14 March 31, 2003 QuoteIsn't it odd, though, that there'd be raccoons this far into the city? I grew up in a residential neighbourhood literally a 11 minute drive from downtown, in Toronto. It was literally a 45 minute drive to get OUT of the city. In the immediate neighbourhood there were 3 known families of racoons, one of which lived under a neighbours back porch. There was also 2 families of foxes. There were even cases of coyote's that had entered the city by following the high tension electrical corridors, which were usually connected to large park systems. The animals would slowly penetrate the city. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Islandcool 0 #15 March 31, 2003 Once in Chicago I was walking to the car with my then girlfriend. All of a sudden she grabs my arm and goes "there a raccon on the hood!" She's scared and I can't figure out why. Coming from Hawaii I had never seen a raccon. They look cute and friendly enough in the Disney movies. It's molesting a white castle hamburger bag. Damn I was scared too all of a sudden. Damn nasty big city raccoon. I never saw a raccoon eating a white castle burger in a Disney movie! What a rip!Ed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChileRelleno 0 #16 March 31, 2003 You "REALLY" need to have that raccoon captured by Animal Control! As alot of folks already told you this "IS NOT!!!! NORMAL BEHAVIOUR" for a raccoon unless perhaps it was at some point a pet or orphan that escaped or was released. Sickness, rabies ect... A coon can be a dangerous animal for its size. ChileRelleno-Rodriguez Bro#414 Hellfish#511,MuffBro#3532,AnvilBro#9, D24868 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChileRelleno 0 #17 March 31, 2003 QuoteIsn't it odd, though, that there'd be raccoons this far into the city? Not odd at all Michele, alot of animals have adapted quite well to city life, possums, skunks, raccoons, rabbits, fox and even coyotes to name a few. I'm originally from San Diego, CA and there are deer that have turned up inside Balboa park after having worked their way through the canyons into the city, Balboa Park is literally right next to "Downtown San Diego". San Diego,Ca Americas 6th largest city. ChileRelleno-Rodriguez Bro#414 Hellfish#511,MuffBro#3532,AnvilBro#9, D24868 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #18 March 31, 2003 Well told. They're just rats in fur coats and masks. Vermin, I tell ya! Never corner one you don't have a gun pointed at. The "click-click-click" sound it made as it pranced into your kitchen or whatever was those giant freaking claws. When that thing gets trapped in your yard or porch don't get too freaked out by the sound it makes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jessica 0 #19 March 31, 2003 I want a pet raccoon. Michele, catch it for me and I'll take it. I need something to love. Perhaps it will get along with my bat.Skydiving is for cool people only Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KawiZX900 0 #20 March 31, 2003 is that the 2nd time the cops have been to your place this month? Accelerate hard to get them looking, then slam on the fronts and rollright beside the car, hanging the back wheel at eye level for a few seconds. Guaranteed reaction- Dave Sonsky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Islandcool 0 #21 April 1, 2003 Quote San Diego,Ca Americas 6th largest city Don't forget home of the fish taco! Before everyone from the mid-west starts going ewwwww! It's tasty! Ed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChileRelleno 0 #22 April 1, 2003 YUUUMMMY, I'm drooling now, its been ages since I had a Rubios fish taco. ChileRelleno-Rodriguez Bro#414 Hellfish#511,MuffBro#3532,AnvilBro#9, D24868 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #23 April 1, 2003 Quote is that the 2nd time the cops have been to your place this month? Nope. Second time in, well, 10 days...LOL, although the first wasn't inside the house, and it wasn't because I was being invaded.... Deuce - first, have I told you that YOU REALLY RAWK!!!!????? Me and the cats were making far too much noise, and then Chad had to help, so I didn't hear any clicking sounds...and I would not corner something like that...besides, it was between me and the weapons....actually, it had Chad treed on the stove, and me frantically waving the only thing available...the broom... The Animal Control people have set out traps under and around the house. They don't think they'll get him, though. I did make them promise to take Penguin and call me should she become entrapped...and according to Animal Control, it is not unusual for "wildlife" to be in this area...I am about 5 miles out of the Verdugo Hills, and less than 1.5 miles from the Hollywood Hills, so it's not that far of a walk...and supposedly, they live in the sewers around here. Blech..... Jess, he and your bat would've made good friends. He just scared me too badly to trap, tame, and send him to you. My bad. Next time, perhaps....anything for a friend. I made it a point to make a lot of noise as I went to my back porch tonight coming home from the office....and there is no sign of the rascally raccoon...and I am NOT opening the door tonight. I don't think I can take a repeat of that event! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
