It Just Keeps Getting Wilder!

Penny is a bit of a trickster. She'll sit at the door and whine to go out. When one of us gets up (off of our lazy bee-hineys) to let her out, she'll run to the kitchen and sit by the cookie jar waiting for a treat. It's almost like she's saying, "Well, as long as you're up, I wouldn't mind a tasty meat flavored snack!" (Yes, we do keep our dog treats in the cookie jar. Beware should you try to sneak a snack when you are here!)

Penny was up to her usual tricks today. I had already attempted to let her out once, so I was not optimistic that she would actually go outside this time either. However, as soon as I let her out the door, she streaked across the yard toward some imaginary foe. . .or so I thought. I happened to peak outside just to make sure my vicious watch dachshund didn't plow through the fence in all her enthusiasm. That's when I noticed the cat. This cat was speckled black, white and gray. This cat was also very slow and virtually unresponsive to the barking, excited, red mass running toward it. Very unusual for a cat, no?! Then, I realized it was not a cat. Rather, it was a momma opossum with about 6 babies on its back. Immediately, ten thousand thoughts flash across my mind. . . words such as rabies, emergency vet and roadkill. At this point, it is impossible to get Penny away from the trespasser. And, unfortunately for the momma-possum, there is nowhere for her to go. Thankfully, John proves once again to be the more level-headed of the two of us. He manages to get Penny far enough away from the critter by using the water hose. Momma-possum scampers up a tree and onto our fence. Amazingly, my dog who cowers in fear at the mention of the word b-a-t-h, was willing to run through the high-powered stream of water to jump up and bark at the possum on the fence. The critter finally scampers down to the safety of a neighbor's dogless yard. Our tiny faithful sentinel stood guard for about half an hour just to make sure the unlucky visitor did not come back.

As I have mentioned before, the internet is a wonderful, dangerous thing. But, in this case, it was quite useful. According to the Opossum Society of the United States (No, I did not make that up!), possums rarely carry rabies. And, though they are nocturnal, mommas will come out during the day to forage for food. And, not only do possums roll over and play dead, they also have special glands to emit the stench of a dead animal. Umm, gross! Like I said, the internet is a dangerous thing! I should stick to enjoying the wilderness all around me!