RE: Beware of Masked Invaders Bathing in Your Kiddie Pool
I don't have anything against raccoons. Not in the 21st century, at least.
Most people live inside a good deal, so it seems wise to say this: Indoors are the domain of humans; the outdoors is the domain of animals.
And then have a strong ethic, an ethic preventing humans from ever thinking that they own the Earth more than animals do, set in place, to ensure that raccoons can bathe themselves with what you leave in your yard.
Remember: Humans ripped down most forests, leaving wild animals no place to live. You owe them in a sense, for the collective actions of all humanity, a species who is currently poisoning the earth, and doing great damage to all species, including their own.
Pollution, deforestation, and the extinction of nearly all large land animals is no laughing matter. We ought to give an inch in favor of animals, just out of respect, if nothing else.
That's true. Some of us enjoy the outdoors a lot, though, so I'm not willing to stay inside all the time. In most wild areas with well-balanced ecosystems, there aren't as many rats, pigeons, and roaches, etc. Raccoons are another species that does very well alongside humans, probably better than they did before we came along. Of course I'm glad to share with them; what's mine is theirs. :)
Oh no, I'm not saying humans can't or shouldn't go outdoors.
In fact, they should a lot more. =p
But I think there's something inherently unpleasant about thinking that animals should respect a yard's property lines. That seems like taking things too far.
Property lines are for other humans to follow. Not wild animals. I don't think it's right to think a person can just spray animals in the face, or violently assault them, just because an animal doesn't understand or care about human property laws.
Animals do very little harm, and if you leave water out over night, it's already to be considered filthy and non-potable, by my standards. But still, you're just an animal too, so if you'll be the wasp that stings anything that gets near your nest, that's your choice, just as it'd be your choice to be peaceful and accepting of other beings.
In the end, I came around to your view also. I began by spraying the furry bastards in the face, but it turned out they like cold showers, so I bowed to the inevitable. Peaceful co-existence is best.
Mhm, I think that sort of mindset can lead to a lot more happiness, once you realize fighting raccoons isn't as productive as learning to enjoy their company.
People often make a strange mistake of shunning potential allies and friends, while consorting with unsavory sorts.