[Magdalen] speaking of critters...

[Molly Wolf]

As I was at my computer tonight, I heard a sound from the garage, which 
is attached to the house and opens into it through a side door.  The 
garage also has a door to the outside and an elderly and very creaky 
roll-up garage door which takes considerable effort to open.  In the 
garage, by the house door, is a shelf upon which sits the big screw-top 
bin in which the cat kibble resides.  (You can tell what's coming, can't 
you?)

So: hearing a noise, I investigated.  The small cat carrier had slipped 
from the shelf to the floor -- probably just Lady Gravity, I thought, 
until I glanced up as I picked up the carrier and saw a small furry face 
with a mask and beady eyes peering over the top of the cat food bin.  
Which was open. The raccoon was *in* the kibble, having a lovely nosh.

The raccoon and I had a long, thoughtful stand-off, during which the 
beast made threatening noises and slightly clawed my right index finger 
when i reached toward the bin.  Um.  With a broom handle, I carefully 
manouevred the bin lid onto the bin and quickly twirled it shut.  
Raccoon now trapped.  After dealing with finger wound, I could examine 
the scene at leisure.  Said beast had somehow managed to pry up the BIG 
garage door (heavy, remember?) Jeez, they're remarkable...

Raccoon transported to outdoor and dumped from cat food.  All garage 
doors secured against invasion.

I am feeling fairly clever, all things considered.

Molly