This is Stubby

He is one of the lone males that comes through. This poor guy has seen some bad days. His tail fur is all gone, and some of his body hair is missing too. We figure either a coyote tried to get him or a trap may have gotten him. He's still a friendly little fellow and we're happy to provide a snack on his journeys. Stubby likes to have a few bites, play in the yard for a bit, have a few more. He's pretty laid back and friendly. I can open the door to take pictures of him and he's cool with it.

Can't get enough of the backyard bandits?

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I may need professional help

But I don't think so really. Just because I'm up at 2:54AM waiting and watching on the "coon-cam" for the raccoons to come - that's not weird is it?! My friend Kelly brought them a little wading pool today, and I don't want to miss seeing them discover it. They are just fun and cute, those six little babies. So open and friendly. Not jaded and guarded like the adults. I worry about them out in the city. I just want to give them a little peace and place to feel safe - our yard. They could move in if they wanted to, I would love it. No worries of cars, traps, mean people or coyotes. Anyway, they did come last night for a party, they really wanted to come in. I really want to let them. Sigh. Here are some pictures.






This one is a little cut-up. Here he is doing his impression of Templeton the rat from Charlottes Web.

Raccoon Party

Ok, so now we have a pretty serious relationship with the raccoons in our neighborhood. We have a raccoon cam so when we are upstairs we will know when they are there. The families consist of a mom with six babies, the mom with three babies and several loner males. One I call Stubby because he has a short tail. So last night two the babies (of the six pack) came and had a party in the yard. They aren't scared of me at all, in fact, they come right up to me. They played in the grass, looked in the planters, ate some food and had a bath.

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!