Last weeks Coon and this week's Coon

Last week, found the dog's old pee chain tangled in the weeds. I decided to chain Tooney to it, so I could work out there and not have to watch him every second. I chopped a 'cove' into the garden for him and the other animals. He was scared. He took this pose and kept looking around and looking at me. I kept my face calm and smiled. Facial expression is very important in Coon communication. They don't do the butt sniffing thing, like dogs. The stare directly into the face of whatever they encounter. They read you that way. It can be intimidating if you don't know them, but, it's normal, not aggressive.

Eventually, he gets happy and decides to explore, but, he does it his way. You may see a Raccoon hurrying along, nose to the ground. They have already scouted spots and head for them. They stay down in a pose like this in vegetation. Relaxed back hump, ears up. Only their heads are visible and they barely move them so as not to attract attention. But, down beneath..their hands go a billion miles a minute. The movements are so brisk and fast, you can hardly see them. They explore everything with touch. If something interesting is found, they glance down. If nothing interesting is found, they are off to the next place. They are always looking around them to see who or what might be watching.

He spots something interesting. I can't see it, but, he can. See? Head and back in line, ears up, eyes interested, but, not afraid. He looks around, but, also looks closely at my face. I tell him it's fine and he takes off.

Ohhh, it's an old forgotten garden ornament. He looks around carefully, before touching it. He also, again, looks to me. I give him the go ahead, thinking I know what he's after. I am wrong.

He reaches inside where rainwater has trapped a.....giant flying cockroach. OMFG. I want to run so bad I'm shaking. My heart is pounding. I have to stay calm. THIS is what he's supposed to be learning. I tell him it's great, good boy! When I hear crunching, I turn my back until it's over. I wanted to puke.

Once a Raccoon is pretty sure he's in a safe environment, all bets are off. There is nothing they can't pull, tear, lick, chew, crumble, lay on, jump on, climb up, fall off or roll around with. They can open anything (opposable thumbs, remember?) and your yard becomes Toys R Us to young Coons. They just can't help it. You're only young once. They become destructive for this short period of time, but, also hilarious to watch. Clowns. Clowns with masks.

Good pic of his hands. I love their hands. Hands always remain rather delicate. Claws continue to lengthen and thicken. Long fur stops above the 'wrist' like a jacket sleeve.

Wrestling. You have to. You just can't..not. They are so hilariously fun at this age. Nippy! Growly! You growl right back. Sometimes I bite him like he does me.

Today's pic. You can see how much he's grown in a week. (Still sucking mama's arm though.) He is not a baby and is swiftly on his way to adulthood. It's making me sad. Yet, yeah, he's the one who ripped up my chair there. He was playing with me and got carried away. Hey, it could have been my flesh. Guess what I saw today? Two very small, but, distinct testicles. Oh, man. It's started.