One more raccoon has been added to the mix. She looks to be about two weeks younger than Goldie, she's unsteady on her feet whereas Goldie is getting more and more practiced at walking and climbing.  I've put the two of them in the smaller cage right beside the bigger cage so the older ones can get used to their smell. It's seems to be working. When I'm feeding Sheila, the new girl, I put Goldie in with the bigger ones. I think Goldie rather likes it in there. There's lots more to explore and do in there but she's rather intimidated by the Big Trio. They aren't too happy with her but they aren't huffing and puffing and growling at her as much as they did the first coupla times they met. They pretty much ignore her while she's climbing around. She loves to climb up on the shelf where their "den" is and play behind the cat carrier there. You can see the cat carrier on the shelf in the background of this picture here.
The older trio are so funny to watch while they are playing. They are up one side and down the other of that cage. Never stopping, always busy with the stuff in there or with each other. The weaning is going very well. No more bottles. Under the advice of Carla, who is helping me learn how to raise skunks (yes, I said skunks), I'm putting in hard-boiled eggs or chicken for the night feeding and some formula in a bowl. I mix in baby rice cereal till it's a little thick so they'll have more to fill their tummies. They are eating the protein very nicely. Always alongside is dog kibble. They munch on that off and on during the day and night. Maybe not much but they are getting there. In the morning, Carla said to put in some fruit and kibble. But I added another bowl of formula because they are looking so lean. Mixed into the formula in the morning is some ground up kitten chow.
I'll tell you, they are the cutest little things. Really cute. They've got the smallest eyes, you just wouldn't believe. It's hard to tell by the picture but they fit in the palm of my hand, well, with the tail spilling out of it. They do smell a bit. It's in their urine and feces but not as strong as if they had sprayed it. There are two females and one boy. The daughter named the one with the most white coloring Flower. Like the skunk in Bambi. And why not. She's a little sweetie. I don't remember if she named the other two but I think the other female has told me her name is Bluebell. The boy, I'm not sure yet. I think he's trying to tell me Sweet William. Guess there wouldn't be anything wrong with another Bill in the house. Now if I can just get over this eternal tiredness...sigh. It's not helping that it's supposed to rain and storm for a week. Geez. Now for news on the other half of the home front. Amy has now officially graduated from college. She's got her first degree. A Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude. She was second in her class and had the dubious honor of being Salutorian but she turned it down. She didn't want the pomp and circumstance. Congratulations, my dear daughter. First of my kids to get a degree. Kip will be next soon. Speaking of Kip, the Kipster will be coming down for a visit during his break between classes. Bill and Todd have been working to get the pool up. A squirrel chewed a hole near the bottom of the pool as it laid out in the gazebo over the winter. Aarrgghh. So, they've been working on the patch first. But I have faith that it will be up in time for Kip to enjoy it, too. Hmmm, let's see. I think that about covers it for now. |
Yes, I said skunks. I now have three babies in my possession. A very nice father and daughter duo brought them over to me. They were found under a neighbor's shed. The mother hadn't been seen in several days but she could have been out foraging and no one saw her coming or going. I don't know. But the neighbors had decided to kill the babies and that's when this man and his daughter stepped in. They kept them for a day or two until they found me.
As for spraying, there's really not much worry. As long as they know you are coming near them, by making a sound, and being gentle around them, there's not much danger of them lifting their tails and squirting you. They have this neat robotic-like chirring sound. And what I like the most is that I don't have to bottle feed them. They are eating cat food softened in formula very nicely. As they are here in this picture.