Responding to Linda von de Bur yesterday: I’ve never seen or smelled a skunk around my house (I’m in the middle of town—40,000 residents) but I’ve seen, chased, swatted, and photographed the raccoons. I think they’re after the grubs in the lawn. Once I started spreading grub killer the digging abated.
Continuing the raccoon discussion from yesterday: I read (I think it was in Discover magazine) about a retarded child with pica who was eating the sand in his sandbox where raccoons had pooped. The parasites got into him and caused serious problems. The doctors were baffled until they finally did some detective work and found out about the raccoon/sandbox/pica connection.
We live in a subdivision with large lots, some of which back up to woods, including our lot. A neighbor would sometimes put sugar cubes on their deck for the raccoons. The natural instinct of a raccoon is to wash its food before it eats. The raccoon would wash the sugar in a nearby creek and, of course, the sugar dissolved in the water.
They also would sometimes give the raccoons an egg and watch the raccoon roll the egg around.
Raccoons carry more diseases in their poop than any other animal except maybe the possum. When we moved from Alaska to South Dakota we lost three sled dogs to hemolytic e-coli from raccoon poop. Cute but nasty.
No, seriously, a cat willing to defend herself instead of running can send the largest dog packing. I have a stupid relative who owns a German Shepherd trained to defend the house. One day she was visiting and the dog spotted my cat on the lawn. The dog flipped out, barking and growling and tugging on its leash. She pretended to lose hold of the leash and let go. She was smirking so I knew it was deliberate. The dog bolted towards my cat and I only prayed that she would be faster. I was sure she was a goner. But instead of running my cat turned towards the dog, spitting and hissing like a tiger with her claws extended and her fur standing up. She was crouching and you could see that she was just waiting for the dog to come close enough so that she could jump on its head and go straight for the eyes and nose. The dog stopped like it had hit a glass wall and almost did a barrel roll in its attempt to turn around without getting any closer to my cat. My cat sat down again and very deliberately began to clean herself and ‘ignore’ the dog. It was pretty incredible.
i have a norwegian forest cat (google it!). a neighbor’s mini-doberman did a jump and charge on her in her own yard. about a half dozen quick zips on its muzzle & the dog couldn’t get turned around fast enough! the owner was mad because our cat also was about twice her dog’s size (and felt it got “picked on”) and the dog had to go to the vet.
Even a wild Fox is smart enough to know not to mess with a cat. A stupid one decided to chase my cat but when she turned to defend herself the Fox fled the scene. They know a cat’s claws can do some serious damage. If you have a pack of dogs though, they can and do kill cats. A pack killed a feral one I was feeding and trying to get domesticated. I found her on my front lawn. I had seen them around. They came to my house because I left food out for her. She was street wise so I know it had to be that pack who killed her. I found their owner and threatened to call animal control if he didn’t keep them up and that was the last time I saw them. I just feel bad I hadn’t done that sooner.
LeslieBark over 10 years ago
Responding to Linda von de Bur yesterday: I’ve never seen or smelled a skunk around my house (I’m in the middle of town—40,000 residents) but I’ve seen, chased, swatted, and photographed the raccoons. I think they’re after the grubs in the lawn. Once I started spreading grub killer the digging abated.
LeslieBark over 10 years ago
Continuing the raccoon discussion from yesterday: I read (I think it was in Discover magazine) about a retarded child with pica who was eating the sand in his sandbox where raccoons had pooped. The parasites got into him and caused serious problems. The doctors were baffled until they finally did some detective work and found out about the raccoon/sandbox/pica connection.
Chickweed Fan over 10 years ago
Sandboxes should always be covered with something to keep animals from using it as a bathroom.
Chickweed Fan over 10 years ago
We live in a subdivision with large lots, some of which back up to woods, including our lot. A neighbor would sometimes put sugar cubes on their deck for the raccoons. The natural instinct of a raccoon is to wash its food before it eats. The raccoon would wash the sugar in a nearby creek and, of course, the sugar dissolved in the water.
They also would sometimes give the raccoons an egg and watch the raccoon roll the egg around.
jonesb over 10 years ago
Raccoons carry more diseases in their poop than any other animal except maybe the possum. When we moved from Alaska to South Dakota we lost three sled dogs to hemolytic e-coli from raccoon poop. Cute but nasty.
woodwork over 10 years ago
but delicious when roasted!!
snarkm over 10 years ago
Where I live, the cats eat the dogs.
No, seriously, a cat willing to defend herself instead of running can send the largest dog packing. I have a stupid relative who owns a German Shepherd trained to defend the house. One day she was visiting and the dog spotted my cat on the lawn. The dog flipped out, barking and growling and tugging on its leash. She pretended to lose hold of the leash and let go. She was smirking so I knew it was deliberate. The dog bolted towards my cat and I only prayed that she would be faster. I was sure she was a goner. But instead of running my cat turned towards the dog, spitting and hissing like a tiger with her claws extended and her fur standing up. She was crouching and you could see that she was just waiting for the dog to come close enough so that she could jump on its head and go straight for the eyes and nose. The dog stopped like it had hit a glass wall and almost did a barrel roll in its attempt to turn around without getting any closer to my cat. My cat sat down again and very deliberately began to clean herself and ‘ignore’ the dog. It was pretty incredible.
MaNoah over 10 years ago
i have a norwegian forest cat (google it!). a neighbor’s mini-doberman did a jump and charge on her in her own yard. about a half dozen quick zips on its muzzle & the dog couldn’t get turned around fast enough! the owner was mad because our cat also was about twice her dog’s size (and felt it got “picked on”) and the dog had to go to the vet.
Sharon Hayes over 10 years ago
Even a wild Fox is smart enough to know not to mess with a cat. A stupid one decided to chase my cat but when she turned to defend herself the Fox fled the scene. They know a cat’s claws can do some serious damage. If you have a pack of dogs though, they can and do kill cats. A pack killed a feral one I was feeding and trying to get domesticated. I found her on my front lawn. I had seen them around. They came to my house because I left food out for her. She was street wise so I know it had to be that pack who killed her. I found their owner and threatened to call animal control if he didn’t keep them up and that was the last time I saw them. I just feel bad I hadn’t done that sooner.
Puddleglum2 over 10 years ago
“‘Cats’ as cat can!”
rekam Premium Member over 10 years ago
Now you’re being mean. Enjoy the comic for itself.
Doctor11 over 10 years ago
Poor kitties!
krisl73 over 10 years ago
My kitties are indoor only because we tended to lose cats when they were outdoors. Too many things that can hurt them.
kittylover2 over 10 years ago
You are an ass.
Zero-Gabriel over 10 years ago
OK Squad Charlie (Cats)!!You’re now high above over the target, get ready your behinds to DROP SOME BOMBS on that pup!!
Zero-Gabriel over 10 years ago
Anyone else noticing how late the next strip is??
Kingoswald Premium Member over 10 years ago
I bet you’re fun to be with, Jester! Ever tried bear-baiting? You’d enjoy it …