Furry Friday – Surprise Visitor

It’s getting chilly here in Michigan, and I’ve been feeding the birds and squirrels as they prepare for winter.  I have also been unexpectedly feeding other furry visitors.  The other morning, Bruce Wayne woke me at 6:30 in the morning, frantic to go outside. 

It was still dark as I fumbled for my slippers and bathrobe and sleepwalked to the back door.  Acting on autopilot, I flipped on the backyard light and peered through the glass before I opened the door.  Imagine my surprise when a pair of beady eyes were looking back at me!

The biggest, fattest racoon I’ve ever seen was perched on the deck rail, placing him just below eye level.  He only glanced at me then resumed gobbling up the remaining birdseed scattered in an empty flower planter.  Although it’s only November, the racoon had a thick, woolly coat that made him look more like a gray sheep wearing a bandit’s mask. 

Bruce became very excited and vocal at the sight of the furry visitor, hopping up and down and cackling in that distinctive sound heard from Jack Russell terriers.  Bruce wanted to find out how this chubby guy tasted.

Between the cacophony coming from Bruce and the sound of me beating on the window, the fluffy fellow lifted his head and gave us an annoyed look as if we had interrupted his smoke break, then he slowly climbed down from the rail and ambled across the yard, disappearing behind the garage. 

Bruce desperately wanted to chase after him, but an early morning trip to the emergency vet was not on my bingo card.  I waited until the sun was fully up and my husband inspected the yard before Bruce and Gidget were released.  Gidget had no part in this pre-dawn nonsense.  She stayed in bed where it was warm and cozy while I got up to take Bruce outside where he no doubt smelled the raccoon and woke me up to let him go outside and indulge his terrier urge to evict the intruder from the premises.

I failed to get any pictures of the racoon, but here are some happy pictures of the two terrier terrors engaged in other activities. 

_{Cozy next to the fire while Mama writes nonsense instead of catering to our needs.}

_{Lady, I don’t care about your imaginary time change. My tummy clock says it’s feeding time now!}

_{Sometimes, the fireplace isn’t enough to keep a pupper warm. Sweater weather!}

_{Let’s sit in the window and make sure there are no more racoons, or squirrels, in the yard!}