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Construction of a motel and shopping center is
taking place next to my house. A formerly heavily wooded fifteen acres
have fallen prey to the bulldozers. Even though my heart is breaking
over the loss of huge trees, the greatest loss has been the sanctuary
provided for raccoons, birds, squirrels, etc. They have all migrated to
my tiny two acres which doesn't afford them the food or shelter they
need. I'm feeding them regularly but they present problems with my
domestic animals.
Taking my little dogs outside for a brief walk
about requires my going first and checking for wildlife. The coons who
are supposed to be nocturnal, come out any time of day looking for a
handout. My one pet coon will have nothing to do with them and sneaks
around when none of the others are in sight. Can't ask the animal
wardens for help as I am over my four pet limit and would be fined.
Here is a typical evening at my house:
About 12:30 am I let the dogs out before going to
bed. I took a flashlight, turned on the two spotlights and searched the
area before letting them out in the fenced side yard. All was well. I
held their paws while they made pee pee. CeeCee, my ten lb. long-haired
orange cat goes out too, and comes back in with the dogs.
The dogs were in the door, safe and sound but Cee
tarried to visit with Bonnie and Frances, the two lady cats who are
porch residents. The dogs were on the bed, I grabbed a bag of kitty
treats to take Bonnie and Frances their nightly snack. As I stepped on
the porch, Josephine, my pet coon, spotted me and ran to get a treat.
Suddenly, CeeCee arched his back to about 3 feet tall, hissed like a
leaking gas main and jumped on Josephine?s back with all four feet
extended.
The poor coon turned tail and tried to escape those
claws when out the door came the two dogs, Charlie and Onyx. They were
barking and yipping like they had a tiger by the tail. How they got the
door open I do not know, but Onyx has opened other doors that were not
securely latched. Folks, you have never seen such a set to. Dogs are
barking and growling, cat is hissing and screeching, coon is yelling
help and I am screaming for fear all four are going to fall down the
eight porch steps. It was one big blur of multi-colored fur.
I knew if that coon rousted the troops, (there are
fourteen besides Josephine) the dogs and cat were goners. Heaven smiled
on me and the coon got away with the dogs in hot pursuit down the steps
and to the fence which the coon scaled and reached safety. My knees
turned to jelly and I collapsed on the aforementioned steps. Cee Cee and
the dogs all came and gave me kisses with Cee rubbing around my legs. He
looked very smug. They were all so proud of protecting me and Charlie
actually had a smile on his face! Gee Mom, that was fun, can we do it
again, he seemed to say, while I laughed like a ninny, before breaking
into tears.
Once in bed, CeeCee was so proud of his bravery, he
chose the most coveted spot on the bed, the back of my knees, where he
slept all night!
cbwest@webtv.net |
