In my early childhood, my grandfather brought home a raccoon baby. He said that he saw him sitting on the path. It was a September evening. I well remember that it was September, classes at the school recently began after the summer holidays. Grandfather nearly tripped over a raccoon. I was surprised at such a meeting. At first I decided that it was a puppy, but took a closer look and realized that there was a small raccoon in front of him. He had seen adult relatives before, so he was sure.
He stood for several minutes, the raccoon did not budge.
Grandfather looked around - suddenly adult raccoons are nearby and are watching the man, will he offend their baby. I did not see anyone. The raccoon continued to sit. Grandpa couldn't leave him alone on the road. Animal accidentally ran out onto the path, and then did not find the way back.
At that time, they did not think that such a wild animal as a raccoon could be infected with rabies. Grandfather took off his jacket, wrapped a raccoon in it and brought it home. She and her grandmother then lived with the family of their son. Households were friendly about the appearance of a new family member. Immediately gave him the nickname Buddy.
Identified on billeting in a free rabbit cage. They put her on the veranda. The next day, at school a cousin about a new pet. They lived near the school. So after school I ran to watch Druzhka. He was so funny, especially when yapping. Such a sweetheart seemed very beautiful to me. Every day after school I began to go to them, and also came from the house on weekends. We children were hanging around the cage, talking with a raccoon. We especially liked how his grandmother fed him milk from a bottle, slipping a pacifier between the bars of the cage. Liquid porridge was also used, cottage cheese, then boiled eggs, vegetables. Even the soup grandmother fed him after a while. I have already forgotten all the details about his nutrition over the past years. And not always, I spent time with them.
Adults decided for a while to leave the raccoon to live at their home, and in the spring, when it becomes completely warm, he will grow up, get stronger, and let loose. We children were strictly warned - the cell must not be opened! Grandma opened a cage with us, stroked a raccoon, took it by her paws. In the first month of stay, she also allowed us, but she stood nearby, did not leave the cage. We were thrilled. Then after a while she said that it’s better for us not to touch him, so as not to get used to it, because he is growing up, he already understands, because in the spring he will be released in the forest. Now I understand that she was worried about us.
And so the raccoon lived in the cage in autumn and winter. I remember how cats first shied away from the cage when they heard yapping. Apparently, they thought it was a dog. I did not have to wait for the raccoon heat. He went to live in the forest in early spring. Grandmother strongly bit on the finger during feeding. He was already well grown, strong, fattened by his grandmother. After this incident, grandfather carried it to the forest. It was a pity to leave, but my grandmother was more expensive. Grandfather later said that he had tears come up as soon as he released his friend in the forest. He was confused, apparently at first. He froze in the grass for seconds, and then rushed into the forest and quickly disappeared from sight.
Despite the fact that the raccoon lived next to people, it seemed to be used to them, then the cats were not afraid of him, but the predatory nature took its toll. No matter how glorious such animals are at an early age, their predatory nature will still take its toll.
Photo pixabay.com.