Chester’s People

First off, it’s Chestette, not Chester.

Second, this post’s title is a librage to Le Carre’s Smiley’s People (a good if dated read).

The clan is much shyer than Hyacinthe’s. We’ve come out and found them at odds with each other, which is a shame because we put out quite a bit of food. We now create several piles and place them relatively far apart. The different families still snorf at each other but blows are avoided.

Quite different than years ago when we’d have near twenty raccoons from three or four families merrily munching side-by-side.

But we also know there are more predators out now than in the past.

And one must always be on guard for predators.

At least in The Wild, predation is honest, up front, and direct.

I wish it was that way in the Two-Legged world.

I truly do.

 

Nibbling Raccoonlets

I mentioned in Fingers Are Tasty, Too, Two-Legger that some of our children are…feisty.

Specifically, I mentioned the need for nibbling preventive toeware.

You thought I was kidding?

So far no wounding, no bloodying, but I’m staying on my guard.

And they are patient.

 

Reginald Rules

We use to own our backyard. Had the paperwork, the deed, made the payments, everything.

The Reginald came along.

Reginald, as far as rabbits go, stands his ground. Or grass.

He’s not pushy, not threatening, not intimidating.

Just there.

Usually when we need him not to be.

Raccoons don’t bother him. He merrily munches away not noticing…or not acknowledging…their interests. Or ours.

Yeah, I remember, long ago, when it was our backyard…

 

Fingers Are Tasty, Too, Two-Legger

One of the joys of surrogate parenting is counting digits to make sure all is well.

Not theirs, mine.

Remember my mentioning that one little feller was going to be trouble?

His name is Samuel and I was right.

He’s a toe nibbler.

Nothing serious as of yet.

Although he keeps a’tryin’.

Give him time…or me coming out in my slippers…and he’s bound to get one of mine.

 

Reginald the Rabbit

Behold Reginald.

I mentioned last week we had at least one rabbit. This be he and he be Reginald.

Take a moment to appreciate his sleek, graceful, chewing style. No grass goes unnoticed. A connoisseur of salads, this one.

And an avid gardener.

He’s ever watchful for succulent buds, nascent flora, all are under his watchful eye.