10/18/2026
True Story
Pet Sitting Journeys
The raccoon and I..
Let me preface this by saying that I respect all wild creatures and usually say hello to them when I see them. I listen to the bird song and feel happy. I say hi to the squirrels and tell them to be safe and hope it's not my car tire (or any) that runs them over when they run and then change directions in the street after I have slowed down for them.
I may not ordinarily say hello to raccoons though. They can do a lot of damage with those cute little hands and often eat feral cat's food and it becomes a hazard to keep them away from the food.
They can carry lungworm and as they drink out of or handle the cat's water they can transmit it. They are also one of the wild creatures which can carry rabies. (Not all wild creatures do.)
One night, at the end of a day that it had been torrentially raining all day, I was out doing Pet Sitting visits for clients who were on vacation. I had been working in that rain all day. It was just damp and cold out.
As I was driving on a residential road, I saw a raccoon and her four babies crossing the street from the middle to get to the curb and sidewalk.
I slowed down and came to a stop and put my hazards on as I waited for the raccoon that was by the curb to usher her babies up first and then she followed. She was very efficient and all the babies got up safely.
As soon as she got up on the sidewalk, she stood on her hind legs, turned and looked at me and we made eye contact.
I could feel from her that she was just so grateful that she was able to get her babies to safety without anyone getting run over.
It was such an ordinary moment that had such an extraordinary effect on me.
Because I remember... to this day, the look in her eyes when she looked at me.
And it was definitely a thankful moment.
I could feel the gratitude.
We don't normally attribute that to animals, but why shouldn't we?
They all have an instinct and a nature to protect their young, and she certainly did as evidenced by her walking behind them while they climbed the curb and the sidewalk.
They must've had a very rough journey that day with all the rain that just did not quit from morning til night.
In one moment, it could've all been different if it was a different car that did not slow down for them.
I smiled to myself, happy and a little shaken but in a good way, to have been part of that moment.
Please treat all creatures with respect.
~Kerry
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