Tag: wildlife

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A Surprise Raccoon Encounter on Our Home Depot Errand (and a Lesson in Domestication)

Written August 24, 2025

Hello, Dear Readers,

Good thing I got my run in yesterday, because this morning my wife suddenly called an audible on our Home Depot plan. Originally, we had scheduled that errand for next Friday—she even took the day off—but today she woke up inspired and decided, “Why wait?”

Of course, the universe laughed at our enthusiasm. Turns out Home Depot opens an hour later on Sundays, which left us cooling our heels in the parking lot for fifteen minutes. Luckily, we weren’t alone in our wait. Another customer had brought along… his raccoon. Yes, you read that right—a live, wriggling raccoon perched on his shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world.

My wife was thrilled. The man explained that he’d stumbled upon a litter of baby raccoons, and while most scattered, this one chose him. Apparently, the raccoon trusted him completely, climbing freely without a leash, occasionally scratching him with sharp little claws, and nibbling on his hands like a teething toddler. My wife immediately wanted to send a photo to our niece, who is endlessly curious about anything with fur, feathers, or fins. When we asked permission to snap a picture, the man agreed without hesitation—clearly proud of his unconventional companion.

He also gave us a crash course in wildlife domestication. Wolves, he said, might look like oversized huskies but forget about taming them—they’re hardwired against it. Raccoons, on the other hand, sometimes make the decision themselves. His furry friend had apparently chosen him, and from the way the man beamed, the feeling was mutual.

By the time we finished chatting with “the raccoon whisperer,” the store had finally opened. Our exchange inside went quickly, and soon we were headed home with our shiny new tool. My wife, ever the organized one, filed the receipt straight into the binder. (It came from the gift shop, so the original receipt was already in the mix—hence her earlier scavenger hunt through the house.) I, meanwhile, registered the warranty. Better safe than sorry; tools are like raccoons—sometimes they decide to stay with you, and sometimes they don’t.

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Animal Encounters in the Florida Keys: A Vacation to Remember

Written 4/29/2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Recently, my wife and I wrapped up an enchanting vacation in the Florida Keys, a destination teeming with scenic beauty and a fascinating array of wildlife. Each encounter left a memorable mark on our journey, painting our experience with strokes of wonder and delight.

Upon our arrival, one of the first surprises was the chickens roaming freely around the Keys. It seemed every street was bustling with these semi-wild birds. Curiosity piqued, we inquired with locals and learned about their intriguing history. Brought over by Cubans for cockfighting, these chickens were later released to avoid a tax imposed on kept poultry after the sport was banned. With few natural predators, the chickens now thrive in the urban environment, dodging only the occasional car.

Our adventure continued with a visit to the Marathon Key aquarium, which offers interactive “experiences” with marine life. For a nominal fee, we were equipped with a cup of food and a tool to feed animals across various exhibits. The highlight for us was feeding the stingrays. 

Accustomed to human interaction, they swarmed the edge of their tank with the enthusiasm of flappy-hungry puppies whenever someone approached. It was a delightful sight, and their friendly antics, splashing joyfully for fish or shrimp treats, gave us a glimpse into their playful nature. We fed them twice, charmed by their eager behavior and the gentle flap of their wings against the water.

The final leg of our animal tour led us to the Hemingway House in Key West, once the residence of the famed author Ernest Hemingway and now a museum and sanctuary for his feline descendants. Nearly 60 cats live there, many bearing the genetic trait of polydactyly, which gives them an extra toe on each paw. This unique characteristic added an extra layer of fascination to our visit.

Interestingly, the house’s location in a city populated by chickens leads to occasional stand-offs between the two species. Both are protected, limiting how much their human caretakers can intervene. The strategy mainly involves keeping chickens out with a fence, hoping they stay on one side. At the same time, the cats contentedly remain on the other.

This journey to the Florida Keys was more than just a getaway; it was an immersion into a unique ecosystem where humans, animals, and history intertwine. Each encounter—whether with the historic chickens, the playful stingrays, or Hemingway’s extraordinary cats—gifted us with narratives to carry back home, enriching our lives with their simplicity and beauty.