At the end of my sister’s driveway is a sign that reads “Back Yard Wildlife Sanctuary“. It’s a place where my sister and her grandchildren have worked to create a place for birds and critters to come and feed. And feed they do.
Upon my arrival at her place in Connecticut, I was happy to find, no snow! I could also see the first signs of spring, as the flowers pushed to the surface after a long winters sleep.
I brought Anneliese with me on this trip, as my “shy girl” needs the exposure to other people and new situations. Her first night away from the pack I call my dogs, had been a restless one for her, but the next morning when I stumbled to life I got on my robe and shoes and got Anneliese on the leash to walk her around the yard.
Anneliese was pulling something fierce, as we made our way around the yard. Suddenly she made sounds that I have not heard her make before. Sort of a low growl. Then she pulled toward the grand children’s swing and slide set. There tucked under the slide was the largest raccoon I’d ever seen!
I am one of the biggest chickens I know, so I pulled Anneliese back away from the huge raccoon, all the while noting that the raccoon had not moved. He sort of looked like he had had too much to drink the night before and passed out.
Once I got Anneliese to do her business on the other side of the house, I took her and ran inside, calling to my sister!
At first I thought the raccoon had toddled off while I went in, but when we looked back out we noticed that he was still there and breathing. Mel tried to shoo him off but he did not respond.
We called the police, who recommended that we call Animal Control. So we called Animal Control, and found that they were off for the weekend. So, we called the police back and a squad car was dispatched.
I dressed quickly, and Mel and I paced back and forth watching the swing set, hoping that the little guy would just wander off, but he didn’t.
The policeman arrived and he came out on the deck with us and surveyed the scene. He could see that the raccoon was still breathing, but he also felt the animal had been injured. We looked and could see it too.
We all decided that the poor thing needed to be put down. The officer got some ear protection and Mel went into the house and I stayed back, but watched as the officer discharged his weapon.
When we turned the little guy over we could see that the raccoon had been attacked by another animal (my guess is a Fischer) and been eviscerated.
I helped the officer get the body in a bag, and then both Mel and I thanked him for coming.
Then it dawned on me! This was Anneliese’s first tracking of a wounded animal! She did the job that I breed my dogs to do. She tracked down a wounded animal so it could be humanly put down. Anneliese showed us that she has a good nose!
The next morning as we had our breakfast, the nice police officer returned. He had been upset having to put down the raccoon (it was the first time he had to discharge his weapon to humanely put down an animal) and he had forgotten to get information for his report.
He said he had wondered about the raccoon coming to the “Back Yard Wildlife Sanctuary” to die, when he drove in. I smiled and told him that the raccoon knew just where to go to die in peace. And he had.
We joked around with him and introduced him to the “Raccoon Tracker” Anneliese. I hope in the end he realized that between him and Anneliese, they both helped that raccoon.
I am so proud of her.
