[Magdalen] speaking of critters...

[Jay Weigel]

Seconding that....rabies shouldn't be a consideration from a scratch, but
you might want to consider how recent your tetanus shot was.

On Mon, May 16, 2016 at 9:31 AM, Charles Wohlers <
charles.wohlers at verizon.net> wrote:

> 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
>>
>>
>