The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Raccoons Invading Town

by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner

7 June 2007

It seems the raccoons are moving into Stronghurst.

I know of nearly a dozen all together that have been caught in safe traps over the last week and then taken out in the country to be released.

I am not sure what is drawing them into town. Maybe it is the lack of rain, because three of these "coons" were seen stretched up to the birdbath, taking a drink.

I remember when I was a youngster, riding with my Uncle's hired hand back from town to his house situated next to my Aunt and Uncle's in rural Media.

I had begged to drive, though I was too little to reach the gas peddle, but he let me steer down the old country road. I was scared to death because he started making the car go faster than I wanted to go and he wouldn't stop until I was screaming. He must have known that would be the last time I asked to drive.

When we got to the hired hand's small cottage, he and his wife had left a raccoon inside while they were gone which was a big mistake. They thought he was cute and that they could make a pet out of him. Their cottage was torn up from one end to the other by this aggressive curious creature.

What a mess. It looked like someone had thrown garbage all over their house plus ripped out the stuffing of their furniture.

I decided then, that I would never make friends with a raccoon, nor did I ever ask to ride with them to my aunt's again.

I can't remember ever seeing a bigger mess than that in a house. The closest thing was when my father rented out apartments in Roseville and a tenant was evicted for failure to pay rent after several months and left the apartment in shambles.

Speaking of animals, for any of you who like to watch movies, the 2005 movie DUMA is out on DVD and I think it is a hidden gem. We watched this PG movie with the grandkids this weekend.

The African tale features a young 12 year old boy Xan, who is living in South Africa with his parents when they find a baby cheetah on the road. They bring it up as their own and name it the Swahili word for cheetah, "Duma."

After Duma is too big to stay domesticated, Zan's father explains why they must journey back to Duma's home to set him free. But tragedy strikes, and Xan is forced to take Duma into the wild on his own. It's a film worth seeking out for families (kids above 5 years) stalking lions, crocodiles, and river rapids.

It is a story of growing up and letting go that lingers on after viewing.