My Disciples,
This morning as the Brothers and I entered My Outdoor Domain, we saw something that made us all yowl with surprise. A large wildling was walking along the cement wall next door. It was a Raccoon, and at first I thought it was the mighty beast that Brother Henry and then the Guardians had faced down several weeks ago. But then I noticed that this one was smaller, and smelled like a girl. Still, My heart leapt into My throat when she passed within a few inches of Mama Cat, who did not seem to understand that she might be in danger.
The Raccoon passed right by Mama Cat. Mama Cat just sat there.
Fortunately, the Raccoon didn’t take an interest in Mama Cat. Instead she jumped down off the wall, and The Brothers and I watched as she approached the Guardians’ garden. I said, “Uh-oh. Looks like the Guardians are going to lose all those nasty tasting strawberries that they seem to like so much…”
The Raccoon jumped down off the wall and went over to the garden. I thought she was going to eat the Guardians’ strawberries.
To My surprise, the Raccoon did not eat any of the strawberries. Instead, she started feeling around in the strawberry patch and pulling out slugs and snails. She popped each one into her mouth as if they were tasty little freeze-dried chicken treats or something. The Brothers and I were mesmerized.
I thought the Raccoon was going to eat strawberries, but instead she started eating slugs and snails.
As I watched the Raccoon, I began to think that maybe those little slugs and snails really were tasty treats. I mean, the Raccoon seemed to really like them. I have never eaten a slug or snail so for all I know they are the most delicious things in the history of everything ever. I’m not sure what came over Me, but I yelled at the Raccoon, “Hey! Wildling! Can I try one of those tasty snails!?” Brother Henry gasped and said, “Leader Otis, what are you doing!?” But it was too late, I had drawn the Raccoon’s attention, and now she seemed to take an interest in us.
So Sayeth Otis
Tomorrow- Wildling Close Encounter Part II- An Even Closer Encounter
Cult of Otis shirts, posters, mugs, stickers and more!
My goodness! That raccoon was VERY close! But perhaps she will do the Humans a favor by eating all the snails and slugs that eat the garden?
I think so Tucker’s Mom. I overheard the Guardians a few days ago wondering why the snails and slugs weren’t eating their garden this year. I guess we found out why!
That is quite an adventure. I think my kitties would faint if ever confronted with a wildling. My heart beats for Mama Cat as well–raccoons can be very not-nice. You and the brothers are very brave.
Yes, we always worry about Mama and the other limbo kitties, Christine. The wildlings belong in the world without walls, but not the kitties.
We are very lucky that our neighborhood raccoon is intimidated by the tiny orange tabby who runs the Out. We watch him run the raccoon off from the safety of the In.
Hmmmm…I fear that one day a Raccoon will come along that will not be intimidated by the tiny tabby.
Yikes! That’s not somebody you want to get too close to! Keep safe guys!
This raccoon seems to have very polite manners: not threatening an invited guest, Mama Cat, and eating selective items others choose to leave alone. What a mystery!
Wow! I’m eager to read part 2!!
Maybe the racoon is French (eating snails…)?
Purrs
Pingback: Sadness Sunday | The Blog of Otis
Pingback: Making the Neighborhood Safer for Wildlings | The Blog of Otis