Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

Because if I can’t make you smile, why am I here? 17FA9EBB-7629-425F-AFE7-A6B3BD1B2B81.jpeg
 
So cold and snowy yesterday! I had to run out first thing in the morning (couldn't be avoided), and then my car couldn't make it back up the hill to home! I ended up parking in a random church lot and walking. By the time I got home, it was 11am and no one had thought to check the chickens! Luckily, they were fine. All eggs were frozen, but somehow none had cracked. I don't think that ever happened before.
 
According to the weather app, we had 8” total snow here. It’s down to bare spots and about two inches.
I was cleaning up the back porch, and as I was finishing, I was gathering up the trash. I tossed the old muck boots that are all chewed up (a hole in the sole of one made me replace them), and looked for the newer ones. I got so mad that the dog had gotten ahold of them, and brought them outside! :mad: I stormed outside, and looked around… no boots. I went back in, thinking he’d found a place to hide them… no boots.
Anyone know where I found them? :oops: I deny finding them on my feet.
 
So late morning ritual is a walk on powerline behind house for me and whatever animals choose to join in... usually at least 1 cat (often both) and numerous chickens. Today's trip was delayed though when I ran into this intruder after opening first chicken gate. He was between chicken coop and powerline.
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He was obviously sick, dogs immediately went into defense mode, I was able to call off Jeni before she came in contact with it but Dillon engaged it pretty heavy before backing off. It was probably only 10 seconds or so but seemed like forever. He had no visible wounds from the encounter but is still headed to vet in the morning for exam and boosters (thankfully he is current on his vaxes).
After I called off dogs I secured them in house and went back out with my gun (a Rossi Ranch Hand) and the raccoon was still there. He was stumbling in circles, chattering and growling at nothing, super aggressive and had poor coordination. I dispatched it with 1 shot and then called the vet and game commission.
A really nice young officer came out and we had a great talk about local predators and how to deal with them. He said he would send it in for necropsy if I wanted but he was already planning to enter it in database as an encounter from what I described (they only have to send them in if human is bit). I told him I would check with my vet (if she thought testing would be beneficial) and he said to call him back if I changed my mind and he would be back out tomorrow to get it so I didn't have to pay for it. Like I said, super nice fellow to talk to. He assured me that I had definitely made the right choice in dispatching it when and how I did.

So long story short. Be prepared to do whatever is necessary for health and safety of any of your animals. There has been an increase in reported rabies and distemper in wildlife and it is a horrible death for them. I hated taking that shot but knew it was best...
 

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