[Magdalen] speaking of critters...

[Charles Wohlers]

Rabies went through SE Mass. about 10-15 years ago and pretty much wiped out 
the raccoons. We saw at least one rabid raccoon back then - it was out in 
the daytime (raccoons are nocturnal) and acting quite strange. Rabies hasn't 
come here (Vermont), however, and hopefully also not in Guananoque, which 
has a similar climate to us. Also, rabies is in the saliva, so the raccoon 
has to bite you in order to spread the disease - clawing doesn't do it.

Raccoons are remarkably fearless - The raccoon who was helping himself to 
our bird feeder on an upstairs porch just looked at me when I went out onto 
the porch and was only 6-8 feet away from him (or her). S/he wouldn't go 
away until I either clapped my hands or stamped my feet.

Chad Wohlers
Woodbury, VT USA
chadwohl at satucket.com



-----Original Message----- 
From: James Oppenheimer-Crawford
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2016 12:38 AM
To: Magdalen at herberthouse.org
Subject: Re: [Magdalen] speaking of critters...

You might want to consult with your medical provider. Raccoons seem to have
become a significant vector for Rabies.

James W. Oppenheimer-Crawford
*“A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved,
except in memory. LLAP**”  -- *Leonard Nimoy

On Mon, May 16, 2016 at 12:32 AM, Molly Wolf <lupa at kos.net> wrote:

> 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
>