Return of The Seven

They are home. They were brought back after lunch yesterday.

Ray called and made sure I was home. Once assured I was here and not going anywhere, he told me that he would be bringing the Seven home soon. It would take almost thirty minutes give or take a few minutes. That was fine. That gave me time to make sure I had both dogs inside the house as they get all worked up when anyone pulls in the driveway. Once the dogs were inside, I began pacing the floor. I was impatient to see how they were.

Finally I saw his truck turning into my driveway. Pushing the door in this room closed, I made sure the back door was closed and then slipped out the front door pulling it closed behind me. I watched as Ray backed his truck down the drive to make removing the cages from the back easier. Once he was ready we removed the towels covering the traps. They knew where they were and they wanted out. We lifted the traps they were in and carried them a couple at a time around the house. One by one they were released.  Two barreled around the house but realized their mistake, did a quick u-turn and headed for their safe place. Four of them made a direct bee line for the hole under the house. Momo in her panic made for the woods at a speed rivaling the speed of those super sonic jets. With my, “She’ll be back” we carried the traps around the truck.

As he made sure the traps were secure and that I had all the paperwork I went to write the first check. He was going to try and get by with a lower amount, but I told him that I could pay the slightly higher amount thanks to the many friends who had donated for the well being of the colony.

It will be a minimum of two weeks before he will return for the remaining. We may also have to trap them in a different manner due to the adults having seen the initial trapping. But we have time. They may forget by then. If we do the fasting thing again, they may be just hungry enough. I may see if I can get my hands on a life animal trap/crate in which if I can catch them by hand, I can get them inside. Maybe. Of course there is the risk of being shredded in the process. Time will tell.

As the day wore on, more and more of the seven were coming out of hiding. They were eating, drinking, sprawled out around the yard. Even Momo wandered back out of where ever she went to get something to eat. My son managed to hold Do for a while. Life was and continues to move back to what it was, but only better. The Seven will not have to worry over a perpetual cycle of babies or seeking to make babies. They have their rabies and other shots. I will forever be grateful for those who helped make this possible.

When it was fully dark, and it appeared that all appetites were sated, I brought the food pan back inside. I really don’t want the raccoon thinking this a food source. I have the cats, that’s more than enough.

trying to shoot through glass using a phone with horrible camera

that’s Momo looking back

Itty Bitty looking through the door. She is one of the remaining that needs spaying.