So when I got back from class at lunch it was laying on the grass, and first I thought it was dead because it had flies all around it. But then I went up to it and saw it was breathing, so I went in and called animal control again. (at this point I am crying cause I feel so bad for it and I can't help it. It looked so pathetic with all those flies on it). Now they put out a second dispatch. After I ate lunch I went out to check on it, and it had crawled out to the middle of my driveway, blocking it. Now I had to lure it the side of the driveway so I could get back to school for class.
When I come home it's at the edge of the drive, almost in the street and it's kind of teetering around. My neighbors' kid is outside so I tell him to go inside and make sure his dog doesn't get out. Now I feel so bad for it I don't know what to do. I finally go inside to call them for the third time, when the van pulls up. So I ask the guy if they automatically euthanize all the animals or if they at least try to treat them, and he said they pretty much kill them all unless its just a minor injury that can heal itself. Then he got him into a cage and took him.
the guy who came to get the raccoon said he probably had a virus called distemper, so I looked it up last night. It said if it had distemper the raccoon would have discharge from its eyes (it did) and seem to be disoriented and wander aimlessly (it did) and it would be skinny with mangy fur (it was). It also said distemper is usually fatal, and the effects arent reversible. so even if it survived, it would have walked funny and been disoriented for the rest of its life. so i feel better knowing they probably put him to sleep and he won't have to suffer.
I named him Mr. Bojangles. Poor Mr. Bojangles. I hope he gets reincarnated as a dog so he can get his distemper vaccine. I love raccoons and their little hands. They're so smart and slick looking with their little mask and stripey tails.
" 1975
