We have a time of year to bring in the birdfeeders so as not to attract bears, but the Bogie household also has a time of year to bring in the cat food off the deck.
We usually keep cat food in the cat house for when our cats are out, for Fuzzy (the transient cat), and sometimes Sammy from across the street (coming over for a snack and a visit). This time of year though, momma raccoon figures it is a great meal.
When I got up to work out this morning, I let Tory in (he had spent the night outside, much as I tried to persuade him to come in last night). I worked out, then went to feed the dogs. At that point, Shadow was at the slider, waiting to be let out.
About 30 seconds after letting him out, it sounded like a herd of elephants was on the deck. I turned on the light and saw Shadow going after a coon that was, at that point on the railing. I opened the door and called Shadow to come in, but he lunged at the coon and the coon lost its nerve and jumped off the railing. Shadow proceeded to puff up his chest and strut back and forth on the deck - stopping every few feet to peer thru the slats to make sure the coon was really gone.
So, it is time to bring in the cat food for a while. Fuzzy will have to utilize his other sources of food.
Sounds like Tory didn't mind the raccoon's company. Wonder what Tory thought of Shadow's having chased off his friend? I can well picture Shadow's strutting about the deck.
Posted by: Cop Car | April 17, 2006 at 08:14 AM
Tory's one laid back cat if he enjoyed a raccoon's company!
We feed the birds all year round, and the racoons are always looking for ways to empty the feeders. They amazed and amused our visitors last night, hanging from one side of the squirrel-proof feeder, and curling under to the other side, where they could scrape feed out, into waiting mouths.
Posted by: Buffy | April 17, 2006 at 05:48 PM
NEVER A DULL MOMENT IN YOUR GARDEN THEN?!
Posted by: bod | April 17, 2006 at 05:50 PM
I'm pretty sure that Tory and the coon weren't sharing the deck. There was an hour difference from when I let Tory in and when I let Shadow out. Tory won't even tolerate Fuzzy or Sammy to be in the same area - I doubt he feels more kindly towards the coon.
Posted by: bogie | April 18, 2006 at 03:59 AM