I Love Raccoons!

by Elizabeth Haswell
(Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada)

Ontario Raccoon

One beautiful summer night I was sitting quietly and still on my front patio.

Along came a raccoon. He was large and when he saw me, he walked absolutely silently towards me.

I did not move. I barely breathed. He crept over to me, stood for a moment on his back legs and lifted his little right front paw up and touched my arm.

I guess he was testing to see if I was perhaps a garden ornament. I allowed this for a moment, and we looked deep into each other's eyes.

What a lovely few seconds that was.

Then it occurred to me that he might like to test me further by taking a bite out of me.

At that point, I very gently moved my arm. He backed away, not in a panic, but steadfastly, and retreated the way he came.

It was a wonderful experience to come that close to a wild animal.

I loved every minute of it.