It’s nowhere near dark, but Ralph Raccoon felt safe enough to come check out our yard.
Just then, the Captain brought Emma (our English cocker spaniel) outside for a pee and in no time the barking and growling started. Luckily, Emma was on the leash because she has a pulled muscle in her leg and we don’t want her tearing around the yard just now.
With one last growl, Ralph clambered up the tree for safety.
Once Emma was out of the scene, Ralph wondered what to do.
“Should I stay here where I’m safe,” he wondered, “or should I come down while I can and get out of here before some crows find me and try to peck my eyes out?”
Turn on your sound and watch what Ralph decided to do.
wordsfromanneli 
July 20, 2023 at 9:53 am
I’m glad the critter didn’t come after you, Anneli! They are mean. When my kids were little ones we had an English Cocker Spaniel too. Her name was Sandy.
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July 20, 2023 at 11:53 am
I wondered about that for a few seconds as he came down the tree, but he just wanted to get away. I don’t think raccoons are mean, but they can be very ferocious if they’re cornered, as I’m sure I would be too. And the English cockers are sweet, aren’t they?!
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July 20, 2023 at 1:11 pm
They sure are, such happy dogs! Great with kids too.
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July 20, 2023 at 10:27 am
Despite their reputation they’re very cute. Nice shot and video.
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July 20, 2023 at 11:51 am
I know they are a threat to my dog (only if there’s a confrontation), and they can be a nuisance, but I do like to see them (even if I wish they weren’t living here), and I agree, they are cute. If only their teeth weren’t so sharp….
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July 20, 2023 at 11:18 am
Lovely video, I hope he knows now who lives in “his” yard.
I hope so much that the racoons find another place to visit!
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July 20, 2023 at 11:49 am
I wish they would go away too, but there are so many of them now, that I’ve given up hope.
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July 20, 2023 at 12:06 pm
So adoreable!
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July 20, 2023 at 12:59 pm
They really are cute (as long as you don’t think about the damage they would do in a dog/raccoon confrontation).
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July 20, 2023 at 12:09 pm
Loved the video.
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July 20, 2023 at 12:58 pm
We were surprised that he came down head first. Strong back toes!
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July 20, 2023 at 1:11 pm
I didn’t even think about that. Supposed it was how they traveled. Interesting.
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July 20, 2023 at 1:56 pm
I don’t think I’d want to try it.
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July 20, 2023 at 2:28 pm
That raccoon is brave to show its face in broad daylight.
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July 20, 2023 at 8:53 pm
That’s exactly right, Arlene, and it’s what makes me nervous. When they get too brazen, they can be aggressive.
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July 20, 2023 at 3:15 pm
Dogless me is free to enjoy the raccoons around here. There aren’t many sightings; we see many more oppossums. That head-first journey down the tree reminds me of the squirrels.
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July 20, 2023 at 8:54 pm
Yes! We see the squirrels doing that all the time, but I was so surprised to see the raccoon doing that. With so much more weight, just imagine how strong those back toes have to be.
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July 20, 2023 at 4:18 pm
They look so sweet, but…
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July 20, 2023 at 8:55 pm
I agree, Jill. It’s the “but” that worries me.
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July 20, 2023 at 4:36 pm
Beautiful photos, Anneli. Loved the video. ❤
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July 20, 2023 at 8:57 pm
Thanks, Carol. I was getting a bit nervous as he came down the tree knowing that I was standing right there. I wasn’t sure which way he’d go – towards me, or away.
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July 21, 2023 at 6:38 am
Ralph is no match for Emma, but he is an unusually photogenic raccoon! Hope Emma’s feeling better
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July 21, 2023 at 9:16 am
But what worries me is that Ralph only needs to get one bite into her face and she’d have big problems. I’m going to keep my eyes open for that good-looking masked bandit.
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July 22, 2023 at 7:08 am
Daylight? Wow, that’s unnerving! But they are cute, aren’t they? If only their cuteness matched their demeanor. 🙂 Great photo and video.
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July 22, 2023 at 8:29 am
Yes, it’s the daylight part that is unnerving. They are getting more brazen.
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July 22, 2023 at 8:35 am
That can’t be good either.
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July 22, 2023 at 9:02 am
No, not good at all. We have to be careful to keep Emma on the leash until we’re sure the coast is clear or we’re out there with her.
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July 22, 2023 at 9:06 am
Good idea. Emma reminds me of Jasper, the springer spaniel my parents had when I was young. He was such a good dog and I miss him to this day.
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July 22, 2023 at 9:11 am
We’ve had several springers over the years and have loved them all, but this English field cocker is the best of them all so far. Smaller than springers, they are a slighter build than the American cockers, and are used in hunting birds (or as teddy bears).
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July 22, 2023 at 9:13 am
There is such a variety of breeds, and I’ve never heard of a field cocker before. But she is adorable and definitely a teddy bear. 🙂
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July 22, 2023 at 9:14 am
That breed was new to me too (they’ve been around a long time, but I hadn’t known about them). Just love her!
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July 22, 2023 at 9:15 am
🤗
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July 23, 2023 at 7:11 am
Great fun watching the raccoon video, anneli, and hearing about the excitement of the racoon visit.
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July 23, 2023 at 5:32 pm
It’s like a double-edged sword. I love seeing them, but I wish they weren’t ever in my yard.
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July 23, 2023 at 1:04 pm
That reminds me of an incident when we were still living in Karnes County and had two dogs, Sally and Buster. They always got mad when they saw a racoon. One day they chased it up a tree and sat at the bottom, barking furiously. Well, the racoon literally got “scared shitless” and the dogs were “on the receiving end”! And I had to wash them.
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July 23, 2023 at 5:32 pm
LOL! Oh, I love it!
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July 24, 2023 at 10:01 am
Well, nowadays I can laugh about it. At the time it happened not that much! 🤣
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July 25, 2023 at 3:11 pm
I’ve never seen a raccoon climb straight down a tree like that. Great capture, Anneli.
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July 25, 2023 at 8:41 pm
I kept waiting for him to go … well … ass over teakettle.
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July 26, 2023 at 6:25 am
🙂
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July 26, 2023 at 10:41 am
This Racoon is so sweet in this tree. We see so many here .Anita
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July 26, 2023 at 11:22 am
Nice to look at but a worry with a dog in the yard.
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January 31, 2024 at 3:59 pm
I’ve been catching raccoons all week. They steal my bird feeders and eat the seeds. My brother has been taking the raccoons up to the farm and letting them go. They are so pesky around here. One of my neighbors said her back porch looked like somebody had thrown a rowdy party. I told her, “Yeah, a raccoon party.” Enjoyed reading your stories. Happy day!
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February 1, 2024 at 10:21 am
Raccoons sure have adapted to living near people, but I agree they are pesky. They look so sweet but they can be so vicious when cornered. I don’t want my dog messing with them. She would probably get the worst of it.
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