The raccoons have themselves a razzy-snazzy new house as I mentioned in my last post. There's everything in there that we could possibly think of to make a raccoon happy if they have to be caged up. There is a nice huge climbing log with many avenues to explore. There's also container of water sitting beside the log that has a large rock in it. We put marbles and unshelled hazelnuts in it for them to find and take out to help them develop their fishing skills. Later, we'll put minnows and crayfish in it.

In one corner, Bill put up a tall tree limb and a shelf. For some kooky reason, this is their preferred spot to nap in. How all three of them fit on there without falling off is a mystery. I guess it appeals to their natural instincts about sleeping in trees. Todd put another larger shelf in the opposite corner but they haven't been on that one as much. But earlier today I think they realized that the smaller shelf was just too small for them. When I looked out just before lunchtime, they were sleeping all clustered together on the larger shelf. When it looks like it's going to rain, I pin up a blanket in that corner to help keep the rain off them. Another contribution that Todd made was to hang a block of wood with large shiny washers attached to it on a rope strung from the top of the cage. They're having great fun trying to jump on it and play with it.

The cat carrier is still in there. I figured it would be considered their primary den. They seem to alternate between that and the shelf depending on their mood and who can tell what a raccoon's mood is. Bill also made a two-bowl feeding station. The holes in the piece are just big enough to fit two cat dishes in them. I keep putting solid food in there hoping that they'll eventually get the idea that this stuff is good. Mostly they play with it and walk through it but by getting mashed bananas or kitten chow soaked in formula on their feet and muzzle they'll lick it off and, hopefully, start getting the picture.

I've also made peace with the little one of the trio--Cheyenne. She was giving me horrible fits about drinking from the bottle. I gently hold their muzzle shut around the nipple so they'll get better suction but she absolutely hates that. Over a couple of days this week she decided to battle it out with me and refuse to eat if I held her muzzle. Finally, I got the message and let her work up to sucking by herself. She toys with the nipple, getting a taste of what's in it, and if she likes it she'll then start sucking on it eagerly. But it has to be on her own time! No forcing her. Since I've started doing that she's become the easiest of them to feed. Doesn't take her long to realize that she really wants that breakfast or lunch.

Dinner, too. Although, if I have dinner when it's getting dark outside, mealtime can become quite challenging. They are more frisky and enchanted with the night time sounds and sights and don't want to eat as readily. Even Large Marge these past few days has resisted instead of eating. So, I've cut them down to three meals a day ending with the last meal about 7:30 or 8:00. Actually, 7:30 is better because it's not showing signs of being dark yet. And the mosquitos won't be out quite as bad then, either. I hope the little critters don't get eaten up by mosquitos. I understand their skin is pretty tough so maybe they don't suffer from bites like we do.

I tried to introduce the 3-week-old, Goldie, to them last night, too. Midge--the middle-sized one--was on my shoulders so I got Goldie out, held her up to Midge's nose, and let them sniff. Midge immediately started to growl, then let out a huge huff, promptly peed down my back, and hid behind my neck. Well, we'll see how it goes in a few days.