Critter Country Way

After yesterday's post, about mice, rats & plumbing, I began to think that some of you might be under the impression we live in a run-down, vermin-infested hovel. Nothing could be further from the truth.

We live in a lovely clean condex, with what appears to be a newly redone kitchen, with all shiny steel appliances and the like. The only problem is: We abut a big patch of woods, and our backyard looks like an overgrown rain forest. This makes it a perfect meet-and-greet location for all creatures great and small. Our yard is a place where squirrels, birdies, coyotes, foxes, bunnies, possums, raccoons, and other assorted furries can gather, get to know each other, and when the occasion arises, eat each other. Assorted frightening insects make regular appearances too.

When we first moved in, I used to toss out scraps of food for the birds & squirrels. I like squirrels. They seem to lead a pleasant life, and if I could leap through the trees like them all day, I certainly would. I figured if filling up on stale cheese curls would save them a few hours of scrounging for wild nuts and berries, and free up some tree-leaping time, it was the least I could do.

The squirrel dining plan ended when I woke up one day to see a GIANT raccoon pressed against the window looking in at me with an attitude that said, "Hey Doofus, where's da grub?" Raccoons need no encouragement when it comes to making your life a living heck, so we stopped the food program. Sorry squirrels.

Of course, even without the free eats, wildlife is still everywhere. Which, with his sensitive beagle nose, is very disturbing to Rocco the Wonder Dog, who seems to take a wild animal's presence as a personal affront. Nothing is more unsettling than watching an evening rerun of "Law & Order" (Which are on several times a night in case you didn't notice, check local listings), and having Rocco leap out of a sound sleep and begin howling out the screen door at who-knows-what. Is it Jason Vorhees, or just a bunny?

Still, Rocco's cute moments outweigh his pain in the @$$ moments, so he's the one critter we can live with.

Besides, if Jason ever does show up, Rocco just might give us a heads up.