My Raccoon Life
Most people who know me either on Discord or IRL (In Real Life) know that I've been adopted by a wild raccoon. She's not a pet and she's not captive, but she fancies my home as her own and pretty much lets herself in whenever she wants. She lives in such close proximity with all my dogs and other animals that I had no choice but seek help getting her vaccinated against rabies and other cat/dog diseases. Some days she acts almost tame. Other days I think she'd eat my soul if I get within striking distance.
Glory is not a fan of humans other than me. She doesn't go near the neighbors and reverts to her wild state when other people are on the property. But I've seen her go after a large dog she thought was posing a threat to me, and she won. So I've seen a side of procyon lotor that most never get a chance to. And yes, sometimes she cuddles. It's her right, after all. She is Raccoon, and the will of Raccoon trumps all.
Click the video for five minutes of uninterrupted raccooning.
Wow, amazing story. Good job Rhonda. Greetings from a Czech nature and animal lover :) You just earned a new follower :)
Awesome! Thank you. :-)
She so cute.
Yet deadly.
Indeed. LOL
I love your little friend @rhondak =)
This post has been deemed resteem & upvote worthy by your friendly @eastcoaststeem ran by @chelsea88 (not a bot)
That's too much lol! You have a friend indeed!
This is Rhonda, commenting from the rescue account. Yes! She made up her mind early that people were her scene, not stinky old trash pandas. She is stuck like glue to us now--me, and the dogs. I'd never seen a wild animal choose to forsake their instincts for a more domesticated life, although I've heard stories off and on through the years. Now I've seen it firsthand. LOL
That's just too much lol
What an intriguing glimpse into the goings-on of a raccoon. We don't have them here. The dogs certainly do seem to know who is boss, lol.
Was she sitting on your laptop to warm her delicate posterior? Our kittens do this frequently. Too frequently, in fact. But at least I can remove them from the situation easily.
Do they hibernate for winter?
They don't hibernate in a classic sense, but they do tend to laze around and be less active. Unless, of course, they're in a warm house. Then it's game on, just like summertime. LOL
She wasn't sitting on the laptop, actually. She was on the back of my computer chair. But sometimes she does climb on the chair when I'm in it. I'll have dogs stacked two deep behind me with her on top.
Oh my goodness, that is a sight to behold! lol <3
I did wonder about the hibernation because she seemed to be looking a little .... er, matronly around the waist.
So now I am just curious - has she ever had babies, that you know of?
I really don't think she has. She's been coming around since she was a juvenile, so regularly that I think we would have noticed. She's not pregnant now, that I can tell. This is the same size she's been since she's been an adult, somewhere around 23 pounds. She's just fat. Like me. LOLOL
Now that is a perfect shot!
There are actually two dogs underneath her. Here's from the other side:
Bwahaha nice in winter but oh my heavens that would be hot in summer!
I will definitely discourage this behavior come summer!!!
It just looks painful to me, they way they're smooshed in there. But the dogs all fight for this spot. And they'll sleep there for hours if I let them, raccoon and all.
Perhaps a name change is in order, you have a zoo!
Haaaa! Indeed I do. :-/
Great video, @rhondak. Glory is adorable! I was thinking of you yesterday because there was a story on NPR about the beloved raccoons of Guadloupe. The residents would concur with you that once you've been adopted by a raccoon, there's no going back!
I would give anything to hear a copy of that broadcast.
I’m pretty sure I can find a podcast and DM you a link. 😁
I'd love that!
They are both cure and terrifying at the same time! I have one hanging around my house and it gets into everything!
They don't call them "trash pandas" for nothing. LOL!
LOL, I was always afraid to refer to Glory as a trash panda, but now that you've said it, I guess it's fair game!
Oh yes. She is Trash Panda Extraordinaire.
Well I don't know you "per se" (I guess Discord does qualify, no?) but oh good grief how bothersome that little scoundrel sounds! xD
Except if cats like her, then she's alright!
:)
The cats tolerate her. LOL I think they realize she'll win any argument they pick.
that sounds more like she'll pouch the eyes out of the cat that dares to start a fight with her D:
#nastyOne
Haah! Glory, our raccoon who thinks she's a rescue dog. LOL
LOL being in the woods I have had so many critters thinking they could all just walk in like one of the cats so can understand! When ya have a road runner tap on the glass patio door let me know he is missing (he likes cat food). Enjoyed the video!
Hard for people to believe sometimes that wild critters will adapt to us -- even adopt us -- until they experience it themselves. I never would have thought a coon would be like this one. Guess we never stop learning.
We did have a possum that used the cat birthing igloo to have her babies, cats just checked on her but left her alone. And just moved over at the dinner bowls.