Rooney was at my door last night

[Donna]

It was around 11 and I heard a noise at my front door. I looked out and this is what I saw!! I have never seen such a huge raccoon. He was standing on his hind legs looking in my storm door. He never ran or seemed afraid of us looking at him. Lucky I had my cell in my hand and snapped this pic. He ate the few morsels leftover from the cats. It was cute watching him pick up the food in his, (I call them hands) and eating Then he dragged the water bowl closer to him and dipped his (hand) in in and put it in his mouth, the whole time watching me. When he was done, he left. Very cute Raccoon.

Sam, my cat was not too thrilled seeing him. His tail looked like a raccoon.

[Annette]

Sam, my cat was not too thrilled seeing him. His tail looked like a raccoon.

Is your cat a main coon?

[Donna]

Sam, my cat was not too thrilled seeing him. His tail looked like a raccoon.

Is your cat a main coon?

No Annette, his tail was all puffed out because he saw the raccoon. Sam is just Sam.

[valhalla]

It was around 11 and I heard a noise at my front door. I looked out and this is what I saw!! I have never seen such a huge raccoon. He was standing on his hind legs looking in my storm door. He never ran or seemed afraid of us looking at him. Lucky I had my cell in my hand and snapped this pic. He ate the few morsels leftover from the cats. It was cute watching him pick up the food in his, (I call them hands) and eating Then he dragged the water bowl closer to him and dipped his (hand) in in and put it in his mouth, the whole time watching me. When he was done, he left. Very cute Raccoon.

Sam, my cat was not too thrilled seeing him. His tail looked like a raccoon.

Dumb rabies removeds fear from these guys - just a deadly to you and your boys should they get out.  Don't encourage this guy and call animal control if he comes back.  Sorry to toss the ice water on this.

[MAK]

I agree with Janet. There's too much risk with these guys(though they are cute). Perhaps the raccoon has something to do with your sick porch cat.  


PS

[Colleen T]

I thought the same as you, Donna, when I was living in a second floor apartment with a deck off the bedroom.  In early fall a raccoon would come to pick the acorns that got stuck in the deck.  He came a few times.  I was so excited - wildlife come to visit!  He was so cute when he stuck his head in the watering can and couldn't get it out for a couple minutes.  Even my cat thought it was great...

Until the  night when he brought the wife and kids.  At first, still cute - little raccoons climbing the railing and doing gymnastics on the deck.  Then papa decided he didn't like my cat looking at him through the screen and tried to come through to get him!  Luckily, I was up and slammed the window shut and made a bunch of noise until they left.  From then on, I made a commotion when they came to visit until they stopped.  Cute, yes, but too assertive for my comfort.  Be careful.

[Donna]

This is the same Raccoon that has been coming here for a few years, I believe. I have never seen such a big one. He comes, he eats, (if there's any food left) and goes. I have never seen any more than one. If he or she has a family, they aren't bringing them around yet. I try not to keep the cat food over night, just for this reason but sometimes I forget to empty the bowl and well, he gets the rest. Just curious, are females larger than the males? This was a biggie and very cute. Didn't seem to mind the cat looking at him but my Sam wasn't impressed with him.

What MAK said was right about having a sick or injured cat. It's not sick like a cold but she has something wrong with her mouth, it looks weird and she is not eating. I tried to get her but she went under my porch 2 days ago and I haven't seen her since. She tried to drink some water but it just dribbled out. I feel bad for her, as she was the one who had all those kittens for years but is now on Birth Control.  No one can get under the porch to retrieve her, so I'm afraid she isn't doing too well or worse. Yes, it keeps me awake at night thinking about her. I love all my cats, indoors and outdoors but she is getting up in age and maybe her time is up. Still hurts.

The Raccoon only comes out at night, which is a good sign....no rabies. Remember the Opossum who was sleeping in the cat box with the cat last Winter? Now that was weird.

[Bird Crazy]

I don't know if you have ever heard them during mating season. But they are scary  Boy do they sound nasty. Cute but don't trust them. Every couple of years around here they say they catch one with rabies. Not good not good at all. 

[Donna]

I don't know if you have ever heard them during mating season. But they are scary  Boy do they sound nasty. Cute but don't trust them. Every couple of years around here they say they catch one with rabies. Not good not good at all. 

Oh I know all about Raccoons and Rabies. Don't worry BC, I'll be very very careful. A few towns over had a case of rabies too. I just took the food away, (cuz I remembered).  Thanks.

[Dumpsterkitty]

I had a raccoon outside my window one night a few weeks ago, snacking on the sunflower seeds dropped by the birds.   I turned on the lights and it sat there a minute or two looking at me like Rooney did Donna.  Then it turned around and walked away.  One thing I have noticed about them is they don't seem to startle like other critters.

[Bobbie Ireland]

As kids, my family (7 of us... 5 kids) used to have vacations at Allegheny State Park (we loved it!). When the Aged Parentals hauled off on the rare occasion, we - along with other Junior Campers - would gather up tidbits and wait for the critters to come out. (Rabies did not occur to us...) One time, there we were, all lined up - and there they were, all lined up - a few raccoons, some "chippies"... and this other guy... black and white, kinda stripey... waiting for his hand-out, all polite, just like the others.... and then it occurred to us... You never saw a gang of kids disappear into a cabin so fast!

We still laugh about it...

[MAK]

As kids, my family (7 of us... 5 kids) used to have vacations at Allegheny State Park (we loved it!). When the Aged Parentals hauled off on the rare occasion, we - along with other Junior Campers - would gather up tidbits and wait for the critters to come out. (Rabies did not occur to us...) One time, there we were, all lined up - and there they were, all lined up - a few raccoons, some "chippies"... and this other guy... black and white, kinda stripey... waiting for his hand-out, all polite, just like the others.... and then it occurred to us... You never saw a gang of kids disappear into a cabin so fast!

We still laugh about it...

    Very funny story Bobbie!        Thanks for sharing.   

[Bobbie Ireland]

    Very funny story Bobbie!        Thanks for sharing.   

[/quote]

Thanks, MAK... like all of us on the Forum have probably experienced, it has become a Family Legend... and the facts seem to expand and explode with each passing year...

[Donna]

SKUNK!! 

Good one Bobbie.

[valhalla]

SKUNK!! 

Good one Bobbie.