Cindy Warns of Danger

I was doing morning exercises when neighbor Cindy called me on the phone. She said a raccoon with distemper was wandering around her yard, and she wanted to let me know not to walk near her house. Hers is the closest to the stop sign. I really appreciated that, because I would have had no idea that danger was lurking there. She said she hadn’t noticed my walking, but she knew I often passed by. I looked it up, and I’ve walked in front of her house 17 times this month.

As Cindy talked, I heard her two dogs barking. She interrupted herself to say a car had just hit the ‘coon, and it was lying in the road. I really appreciated her thinking to warn me.

I told Joyce about the danger before she came out to walk with me. We went a few steps beyond the RV park before turning back. We could see nothing on the road. Either the animal was able to drag itself off, or someone removed the body. In any case, we got home without incident. I’ve lived here almost 12 years and have never been so aware of wildlife threatening us. I’m glad I haven’t seen the bear from yesterday. I realize humans are intruding on the animals’ territory. I would apologize to them if I could, but meanwhile I’ll stay out of their way.