Six Babies and a Mom

Great news. (Well, Bill and I were pretty excited anyway) The family of six babies we were worried had dwindled down to three....is a different family! Last night we heard something, went down and there was the family of six babies! They are still very small, the other group are more "tweens". They had quite a time. Knocking pots over, playing with the door mat, and having a bath in the water bowl. This group was very curious and ready to come right in the house and check things out. Of course we're not that crazy. They are so cute and I think I got one of the best pics yet. :o)

Our Raccoons

Eviction (a few years ago)

Now I have to say - I am all for the raccoons hanging around. Raccoons have been coming through our yard ever since we moved here, about 7 years ago. We've watched babies play in the grass, climb the trees, etc. I was even ok with one living in our chimney. We knew he was living in there for months...until I found some raccoon pee and a feather coming down into the house. It was time for him to relocate. We called a chimney guy and when he came to cap the chimney, sure enough - Rocky was home. In order to get him out, my husband Bill and the chimney guy had to blast him out by playing really loud rap music through a boom box. He eventually shuffled up the chimney and off the roof. I still feel bad about doing this to him, but it was too unsanitary to let it continue. The next day he tried to get back in, I felt horrible, he gave us the stink eye from the roof. I hope he's still in the neighborhood.

A tribute to Buddy

A blog about the backyard wouldn't be complete without a mention of Buddy. He was a stray that became friends with our cat Jo, and would come visit her and sit outside our door for hours, day after day. We tried to trap him, and had no luck. He was too smart. So after months of gaining his trust, we started putting food inside the door, further and further each time. One day he was far enough in the house we were able to close the door. I have never seen a cat imitate a pinball before, but he sure did! He climbed the curtains and hit the ceiling a couple of times. We had to call in the experts (i.e. Kelly) to work her magic and get him in hand and calm him down. We clipped his nails and got to pet him and show him some love. It didn't end well for Buddy, it turned out he was very sick and had to be put down, but at least he didn't suffer alone outside any longer. Buddy. ? - March 19, 2006

A backyard success!

In the summer of 2004, this beautiful little stray befriended our little Jo, and would sit outside the window looking at each other. She became friendly and would let us come out and pet her. She slept under our lemon tree. After we became certain that she was someone's throwaway, we brought her in and after her vet check she became part of the family!