The "New Pet"

  The new "pet" has made itself right at home.  Back during the early fall, three tiny raccoons were abandoned by their mom in the old oak tree. This tree overhangs the house so all night long, I could hear acorns pelting the rooftop.  Mama Coon knew right where to park those little ones to make sure they had plenty to eat in her absence.  During the daytime hours, the babies would often climb down the tree and wander about the yard.  I noticed that they would always clean up any food that Ms. Nycto, the Bayou Princess Cat, had left in her bowl. Well, as babies have a habit of doing, the trio grew and became the same size as the cat whose bowl they were raiding.  Then, two were missing.  A traumatic ending befell at least one of the babies as the bobcat caught it. Hopefully, the end was quick and painless.  Probably not, however.  I never knew what happened to baby number two.  It just never returned to the old oak tree.  Baby number three had decided that it is much safer staying close to the Little Bayou House and has befriended its benefactor, Ms. Nycto.

  For the past few weeks, each time I go to feed the cat, the juvenile raccoon is there waiting for its handout as well.  The first night, the little rascal actually stole the cat's food...bowl and all!  Now, the coon sits patiently as I feed the cat and then ask it if it wants something to eat. Then, and only then, will the raccoon take its food.  If the little bandit gets frightened, it will scamper off the porch and down the steps but does not go far.  I can call to it and back up on the porch it comes. 

  I am not sure this is a good idea, though.  Just like babies growing into juvenile raccoons, those juveniles mature to become adults.  I do not need a full grown raccoon as a pet!  Actually, I do not need this little one as a "pet"!  It needs to wander itself back into the woods, find a mate and start a family far down in the creek bed.  For the time being, though, I guess it can at least grab a meal or two. 

  I do find it strange that Ms. Nycto has no qualms about sharing her meals with the raccoon when she has problems being in the same yard with the old cat, Ms. Put, aka the Bayou Queen.  Those two have a ritual of howling at each other whenever they are within a hundred feet of one another.  I guess the little coon is not a threat to Ms. Nycto's cathood!