A pup and a coon pup.

Just when you think there won't be anything to blog about.... The pup and I went on a normal walk this morning on the trails behind our house. It was such a peaceful fall morning, and we didn't even run across a lot of people or other pups.

  Just about when we were home, Nichole staring barking at a tree like a madpuppy. It was different than her sniffing out deer or squirrels, and I just had a feeling she had a kitty trapped up a tree. So down the hill, across the crik, and up a pretty steep slope I went, slipping on dry leaves all the way. I was winded at the top, and she was barking in her high-pitched way she does when she's excited. Very excited.

  I was trying to get an eye on the issue when I saw a snout and eyes....definitely not a kitty. At this point, I'm behind a house where the owner was bitten this summer by a rabid fox, so I was a tad worried at this point. It wasn't a fox, but a baby racoon. I was still worried. I kept an eye on it and tried to get a feel for its health, or any signs or rabies. It didn't look sick, just scared to death. The poor little thing wasn't moving a muscle, but it was simultaneously keeping an eye out on me and the pup, who was still barking to break the bank. The coon wasn't moving. I think it was literally going to die from a heart attack soon it was so scared.

  I tried to get near Nichole, but as I moved around the coon in a circle, she carefully stayed a complete half-circle away from me. I was at six o'clock, she'd moved to 12. I'd slowly moved around, and she's stay completely away from me. We had this dance for a while. I finally called the dear husband for some advice. His thoughts? "You'll need to catch the dog." Oh thanks...that is really helpful! I wish I had thought of that! Ten minutes later I called back, saying he'd need to come and help out, because the thoughtful advice (me catching the dog) wasn't working out too well. And no, the raccoon still hadn't budged a muscle.

  I have no idea how long we did this dance. Finally, Nichole let down a bit and I was able to snag her and leash her, and we walked home.

  I'm thinking the poor raccoon is still frozen in fear in its spot.

  Nichole is very proud of herself.

  Mom has a headache.