and then... a raccoon...

Memorial Day festivities have been fun this year. I spent some time with one old friend and her family and friends on Friday, and went to my oldest and dearest friend's home today for a family picnic. We were enjoying each other's company along with her husband and daughters when out of nowhere one of the girls screams at the top of her lungs. All hell broke loose...

The family dog, known to be aggressive toward other animals (mainly cats) was being attacked right next to us on the back porch by a raccoon. The girls scrambled frantically, going inside, hiding behind their mother, screaming uncontrollably. Marc and I immediately went to the dog, trying to break up what we all thought was the dog attacking the family cat. Once I got on my knees in front of the animals, I realized it was a raccoon - probably rabid, since it was mid to late afternoon and the sun was shining. Marc grabbed the dog, then Lisa, holding her as still as possible as I tried to pry the raccoon's mouth from the dog's head. I was screaming to get a stick of some sort to pry the raccoon's mouth open, since my fingers in the animal's mouth wasn't making any quick progress. A rock was tossed at me, with 'hit it!' being yelled from behind. I was screaming 'no!' as I didn't want to hurt anything... but alas I grazed the raccoon's head with the rock, and it launched itself off the porch, limping away as fast as possible with what I assume was at least a broken front leg. Marc followed the raccoon into the woods to get it away from the family, and we spent the next few moments assessing the damage to the dog. Amazingly there was no broken skin on it or on any of us. The raccoon, I don't know. I assume the dog had enough of a hold on it at times to break the skin, but I didn't get enough of a look at it to know. I know it's dying a slow and painful death out there, and that makes me very sad. Marc wanted to go kill it within the adrenaline rush he was feeling... but then relaxed enough to realize it was dangerous and futile...

The veterinarian suggested the dog come in for a booster, and the sheriff's office was contacted in order to report the incident with a (seemingly) rabid animal. From then, there was no appetite for dinner, at least for the three adults. The girls were all freaked out, and I honestly had the shakes for at least half an hour. So much for a relaxing holiday afternoon! We could laugh after a little while, but it's still fresh in our minds. Everyone honestly thought their cat was going to die. Needless to say, everyone was spared that horror, and were left unscathed. Except for the unfortunate raccoon. God don't let it suffer...

Tomorrow: to another friend's home for a relaxing poolside afternoon. I think ;)