Not the Sharpest Tack

Tonight is a very typical evening. Stubby showed up at sundown for a snack. Sweetie a few minutes later. Sweetie is not limping as much today, and that's great! However she isn't the sharpest tack in the drawer. But look at this face:


Sweetie's tummy:

So, you say, you are disparaging Sweetie's intelligence...what gives?! Let me tell you. We have two separate feeding stations in the yard to avoid conflicts between the patrons. Everything was going swimmingly tonight, until for some reason, Sweetie took her cracker from me and walked right past her water bowl and over to Stubbys. They grunted at each, but neither pulled the trigger on an all out brawl. I coaxed Sweetie back to the door with more crackers.

The Down Side

Having an outdoor family raccoons is great, but the downside is that there is nothing you can do when they are hurt or injured (or stop coming all together and you don't know why). Sweetie came tonight and she is limping. It looks like one of her front legs is hurt. Not broken or bloody, which is a good sign. Perhaps it's just a muscle pull or a sprain. They have an amazing ability to heal, so please send her your good healin' vibes! (NOTE: on second look she does have a small wound on what would be her pointer finger)

Baby Photo Bonanza!

Last night I had the most amazing time with Stubby and her trio. Even last year, her babies didn't trust and take to us so quickly. They are so cute and so amazing... see for yourself!

This might be the cutest picture I've ever taken.

Already becoming a cracker connoisseur at such a young age.

The Sweet Little One

The one that sits at the door every night, looking so pathetic and forlorn...longing to come in and be part of a family - we call her Sweetie. We had a Sweetie last year, and I don't think it's the same one, possibly one of her offspring though. It could be her...hard to know for sure. Anyway, here are some photos of her tonight. I just think she is the sweetest and prettiest little thing.

First Baby Sighting of the Season!!!

Stubby has three adorable little kits!! Apparently we were wrong about her having them the other night, no way they are only a few days old. More like a few weeks. Tonight she brought them to our yard for the first time (that we know of) and they were here for a couple hours. Mostly they stayed in the pond area - the dark side of the yard so any kind of photos were impossible. I lured them over to the door area with some kitten food and was lucky enough to get a few shots through the glass. (Shooting through glass into the dark is a challenge to say the least, so in a few days when I can open the door without them freaking out better pictures will be on the way!) When they were playing in the yard I did sneak outside to get a few shots of them, and already Stubby must have let them know we were cool cause they just basically looked at me and kept on about their business. Stubby's babies are always the best. We are so happy to see them, and really looking forward to a summer of fun. :)



Already so brave!



This one is good for a size comparison....

"'Cuz me... you got any of dez crackers I bin hearin' about?"

The Cracker Grab

Stubby and Oliver

Friends? Maybe. But we will never know for sure.

Stubby has Babies!

Ok, this is the theory. Stubby was very slow, sluggish and fat last night. When she choose to lay down and nap instead of going immediately for the crackers was a little odd. Tonight she was back to her usual energy and looks much lighter. I think she had her babies last night. I was kind of hoping she might have them in our yard, but no... she had them wherever she lives. I can't wait to see them!!

The Cracker Whores

So far this spring two things are clear. One: Stubby and Little One come to spend time in our yard every night. Two: They are extremely spoiled and love crackers! There is no shame in the begging that they silently do for the square little pieces of snack heaven.

Imagine you come downstairs and as you walk past the door, this is what you see:


Adorable no? And what does she want? Crackers! I do also think she would love to join our tribe of cats and come inside and be one of them, but for now - she will settle for square tasty goodness.




Stubby was the first visitor tonight, but shortly after her arrival, before she even wanted crackers, she needed a few zzzzz's.



They are often in the yard at the same time. Stubby does her share of growling, and they do tussle from time to time, but as long as the food is plentiful, they have a truce. (Stubby is on the left, Little one on the right)

Stubby Loves a Cracker!