Murph has a raccoon sister, named Gypsy, who has been our unique, funny, fat, and adorable family member for two years today. It’s an anniversary!

Do not worry about Murph’s safety. They are kept apart. Each have their turns daily to roam their house. The instant baby Gypsy showed desire to play with Murph, was the day that showed Gypsy was growing up, becoming playful and thus, dangerous to our Murph. She actually is sweet though, she is not lethal to our guests. Also, she was de-wormed at around 9 weeks of age.

The governments declare that people cannot have raccoons in certain states within the united. I understand to a point. However, I would have her no matter where I lived because she would have died of starvation or the coyotes would have torn her apart first, had I left this innocent baby (with no mother or siblings) out to die.

I’m the one that has to live with myself if I agreed the other humans’ law is just. And as for letting nature take its course… not this time. Not now when I’m around.

All the Covid crap was rampant when I made about 14 calls trying to find a wildlife rehabilitator to take her. The few that returned my calls said they could take not one more animal. They had no volunteers, were at capacity, had little funding, and little to no donations to help them to help the animals.

A longer story shortened: I fell head over heels in love with the fuzzball who only wanted food and love. She made the cutest bubbling sounds, followed me every where, and had a huge personality and heart.

I do not regret keeping her. She is so special. She has attitude issues with me often, but she’s so darn cute about it!

She makes up for those bad attitudes at times like this morning. Oh man, I received such good Gypsy lovins!! I didn’t record it because I wasn’t about to jeopardize this special experience of raccoon kisses.

If I want to love on her, I must ask her permission. This is done by offering food as she lays in her bed. Her bed is the only place where she accepts kisses, petting, and playing. Don’t ask me why. I am not a raccoon whisperer.

After she gently takes food from my hand, I (with cautious optimism) wiggle my forefinger at her nose. This occasionally ends with my blood, so it’s a good thing I am tough and have a stockpile of small bandages. Yes, showers, washing dishes, etc. hurts, but it’s only temporary and worth the risk to experience the love she has always had in her heart.

It’s also good that I have a decent reading of her body language and snarls. Some snarls are bluffs, while others are quite serious – she isn’t in the mood for love, and there is no changing her tune. Then, some snarls aren’t bluffs, but rather, they convey that if I play my hand right, and approach her to her preferences, there is a chance I’ll get invited to massage her neck.

If she gently nibbles my finger, that is permission to move onto her neck. After that, if I am lucky, I am allowed to pet the rest of her, even brush her beautiful fur with her brush. And, IF this happens, I am ‘in like Flynn,’ I get to grab her feet, kiss her soft pads, grab her hands to play, and kiss that irresistible nose!!

She realizes human kisses are different. And she tries to kiss back on the lips, but she isn’t sure how to do it, so my lips and nose get strange and gentle nibbles and scrapes with her sharp, tiny teeth.

I’ve met people that released their coons because “they got too mean.” That saddens me every time because coons still possess love for their people, they simply cannot control their hormones.

During mating season, Gypsy literally chased me out of her room numerous times (maybe because I am another female in her “den” and territory). I LOVE her, and I wasn’t about to release her without her knowing how to survive outside.

She doesn’t like being outdoors. At some point I quit taking her out to learn the outdoors. Everything scared her, she tried to run back inside the doors every time we walked by one. She loves her room, home, and family. I toughed it out. I still sat on the sofa in her room when she was too sleepy to chase me out, so she knew Mommy always loves her. Eventually, I got to love on my Gypsy girl again.

I am not the only person to love a raccoon so. You must check this guy out!! He lives in Canada and has a large nursery of wild raccoons visiting him. Please view his channel. I am a fan of this man, his love for them, and his defiant personality towards people wanting him to stop. Just get to know him. He (his channel) is James Blackwood – Raccoon Whisperer. He has 521 thousand subscribers so far.

Watch “Monday With Buddy And Babies” below. Buddy is the one that always sits at James’s shoulder to eat.

https://youtu.be/gdWLGRbQJlM

So, April 23rd marked my 5th year with Murph… and I missed it. I didn’t exactly miss it, I just didn’t do something extra special for him. I don’t know what that would have been or why I feel compelled to think up something. He knows he is my love.

But, we spent hours outside with Murph’s human grandpa. I’m in my gardening clothes because I was being effective. My dad got sun and fresh air, Murph got to be out a long time on his harness and in his tiny tent with a netted top for sun penetration, and I got to accomplish tasks outdoors.

I marked 4/23 on the paper calendar, but didn’t on the e-calendar. I’m so busy caring for my dad (who can do nothing for himself), and so, so much more, that it wasn’t until the next day I realized my brain clocked out regarding that special thing to me.

Anyway, today I fixed cornbread for Gypsy (and Dad will enjoy some). She really likes my cornbread. I cut lilacs for Dad’s room and gave Gypsy a sprig to smell. Here is her celebratory plate:

Thank you for spending your time to read our story.

“Give me Lizardry or give me Death!” – Dawn Renée