The noises started around 10:30 last night, whines and screams and growls. My first thought was that the neighborhood cats were fighting, but then the sounds got more urgent and strange, and I wasn’t sure I hadn’t heard something almost human in them. I peered through the windows, looking for evidence that something was happening… but nothing.
Things quieted down and I went to bed, only to hear it again.
Finally, with untied shoes I went outside, trying to triangulate the sound and figure out what was going on. Joining a neighbor in the middle of the street, we located the source: two raccoons, in a tree. One cornered on a branch, growling and hissing at the other. They both looked down at us with a look that could only be described as meaning don’t even think about getting any closer.
We both went home, and later I saw one of the animals come down from the tree. It was much bigger than I expected, and made its way down the sidewalk, leaving the other growling in the tree.
Being from the rural area of Southern Illinois I can, with experience say this- NEVER F**CK AROUND WITH A RACOON.
These can be horribly mean bastards and are, most of the time, much larger than you’d think.
Next time, make sure Diego can’t get out, put on some new age music and pretend you don’t hear a thing.
…or buy a .22 rifle.
I had a racoon jump out at me from my outdoor trashcan once at night as I was taking out the garbage. Since then, I don’t think I’ve ever neglected to think about that incident when I take the trash out.