This past winter we were adopted by an opossum. My Better Half discovered him one night when he went out to bring in an armload of wood from the garage and noticed a pointy little nose and two big black eyes sticking out of a brown grocery bag that held some kindling. When I went to take a look the little guy didn't react to me, he just kept staring straight ahead. I wasn't sure if he was playing possum, or if he thought I couldn't see him because he was hiding.
We live in the woods so I see my share of wildlife (including a bear last year but that's a different story). Animals that live in the wild usually stay as far away from people as possible so we knew something was wrong. Sure enough we found bloody little paw prints on the garage floor. It tugged at my heart that this poor little creature overcame his fear and took refuge in our garage. My Better Half isn't the sentimental type but he does have a soft spot for animals in trouble. That night he took the little guy out a bowl of catfood and a big bowl of water and both were gone the next morning. We brought in some straw to give him a warm place to hide and because opossums are nocturial we would wait until evening to take out food and water. We kept the garage door closed and once in a while we would get a glimpse of him scurrying behind a wood pile so we knew he was getting better.
Eventually the weather improved and we started leaving the door to the garage open so he could leave when he was ready. It wasn't long before he decamped but he didn't go far. We would spot him limping across the driveway and around the yard and it soon became evident that he had lost his little paw.
Spring has finally sprung and it's been about a week since we last saw him. I like to think that he knows we did what we could to help and I'm really hopeful that the reason behind his disapperance is that he's found a Mrs. Opossum.
What a sweet story, Vicki! I'm so glad you helped the little guy, and I hope you see him again sometime.
ReplyDeleteThere are a number of feral cats in our area, and we (along with our neighbors) put out food for them every day. After all, it's not their fault they're here. The cat food also attracts raccoons and opossums, and it's not unusual to see a cat, a raccoon and an opossum sitting side by side, happily munching on cat food! I could do without the raccoons since they're so destructive (you should see the way they destroyed our screened-in porch!) and they kill cats, but the opossums just come up, eat, and then waddle back off into the woods.
Thanks Juli. It makes my heart happy when people go out of their way to help animals. I know what you mean about raccoons. One time a mom and her 6 babies ripped open the screen on one of our sliding door and were happily eating from the cat's bowl in our dining room. Getting them out of the house was a trip. And we won't even get into what they do to birdfeeders!
ReplyDeleteIt's great to help creatures of Mother Nature and as you so rightly say perhaps he has found a mate, Great post.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Thank you Yvonne, I always look forward to your comments.
DeleteAwww! Love this story. How sweet. I hope that he's found his Mrs. Opossum too. I'll definitely be back...just joined.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tracy, look forward to hearing from you:)
ReplyDeleteSucker....couple of marshmallows.
ReplyDelete