Living with others

Summary

A community learns to coexist with local wildlife, including a skunk and raccoons, through the efforts of a town official specializing in animal relocation.

Abstract

The narrative describes a neighborhood's experiences with various wildlife species, focusing on a skunk and a pregnant raccoon. After building a screened-in porch, the residents find themselves observing and interacting with these animals. The skunk's presence leads to a call to the police and the involvement of Dennis, the town's Animal Relocation Officer, who unsuccessfully tries to trap the skunk but relocates five raccoons instead. The story highlights the challenges and adaptations made by the neighbors to live in harmony with the wildlife, choosing not to erect barriers but to implement practical solutions like lattice panels and secure garbage cans.

Opinions

The author seems to appreciate the natural world, as evidenced by the enjoyment expressed in observing wildlife.
There is a sense of humor in the way the story is told, particularly in the description of the raccoon's "detention, expulsion & probation."
The narrative conveys a respect for life, as the community chooses humane solutions over lethal ones, exemplified by the decision not to build a wall.
The author appears to value community problem-solving and the expertise of local officials like Dennis, the Animal Relocation Officer.
The text suggests that living with wildlife requires patience and adaptation rather than exclusion.

I’m going to be a mother

Late last summer we built a small screened-in porch in our backyard.

This summer we sit and enjoy observing our neighbors: deer, squirrels of many sorts, bats, bees, beetles, and a month ago, a skunk.

The skunk was a surprise and we watched her stroll beneath the deck of our human neighbor Hazel.

If you want the longer skunk story, I wrote about it here.

We tattled on the skunk. Hazel called the police. The police referred her to Dennis, our town’s Animal Relocation Officer.

I didn’t know we had a ARO.

Dennis traps unwanted critters and takes them outside town.

The skunk escaped two weeks of trapping but not so for five raccoons, including the one pictured above.

An expectant mother, said Dennis.

Another neighbor, Craig, captured her on video overturning his garbage can.

Guilty.

After her detention, expulsion & probation, Hazel asked Dennis to take away the traps.

Raccoons travel along a creek bed close to our neighborhood, crossing the border with impunity.

Hazel put lattice panels under her deck.

Craig found a garbage can with a tight lid.

None of us built a wall.

It’s not easy — living with others.

But not impossible.

Living with others

Six word photo story: Freestyle

I’m going to be a mother