12 February 2005
Raccoon Infiltration
Sasha was eating in the sunroom when a raccoon strolled in and simply took over his bowl, provoking an indignant howl. With tasty cat food in its mouth, the raccoon was reluctant to leave. I managed to herd it outside with loud, broom-enforced threats, and exclamations such as "Bad raccoon!" and "No wildlife in the house!"
Sasha followed us out, apparently intending to fight the beastly bandit, who was probably twice his size with a bigger set of teeth. But the raccoon waddled away when I rained dirt clods on it, and I shoved the cat back inside. When the raccoon returned, it found the door closed and Sasha growling on the other side of the glass.
I've heard stories of attic infestations and nasty confrontations in kitchens, and once I saw a whole family of raccoons trundling down the sidewalk. But curiously, this is the first time in the ten years I've lived in SF that I've had to chase one out of the house.