Rocky Raccoon

Here is Rocky Raccoon - my husband chose that name, though I imagine the name has already been taken many times.

Originally, I did not like it that Rocky and his family (wife and three babies) were raiding the dry cat food for our homeless cats. So I would remove all of the cat food at night. Now, I will leave a little out there for them. I tell myself it's because I feel badly about human encroachment on land and resources that used to accommodate wildlife. But the real reason is probably because I have a bit of a relationship with them, though we never get close to them. This goes for a family of skunks that comes around at night, too. (sorry, no photos of the skunks yet).

There is not one outdoor cat who minds the raccoons or skunks. Often, they eat side-by-side. Sometimes, some of the cats will try to chase the more timid cats off the property. But none of the cats have tried to chase off the skunks or raccoons. And I have never seen the skunks or raccoons try to chase off any of the cats. If only humans could learn to tolerate each other so well.