A Fully Recovered Raccoon named Riffraff is recovering well

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RIFFRAFF: A Fully Recovered Raccoon

Almost every family has one. Usually a single, over-the-hill male, his once slim body is showing the kind of wear brought on by age and good living. What extra weight he carries sits now around his belly and hips, giving his walk a definite roll. His shaggy coat is rumpled and stained with the remnants of several meals. His teeth hurt, he’s a bit short-sighted and his hearing is not what it once was. But, somehow, despite all this, he has infinite appeal. Just by looking at him, you know here is someone with experience, character and great charm. Young ones gravitate towards him and the females of the species vie with each other to mother him and bring him the tastiest tidbits.

So it is with Riffraff. Trapped for continually eating food put out for cats, Riffraff is a rascally 8 or 9-year old raccoon that was brought to Critter Care early this fall. When he arrived, his ears were torn; he was spitting blood, and he definitely looked as if he were in need of loving care and attention. He couldn’t have ended up in a more appropriate place!

A medical check found little wrong with him, aside from a tooth that needed to be removed, some arthritis in one of his back legs and the fact that he badly needed to be de-wormed. He accepted all these kind ministrations with great dignity. His greatest pleasure was being inside, in the warm, sleeping half in – half out of his kennel. The expression on his face, if someone was careless enough to disturb his sleep by switching on the light, was particularly priceless.

Now considerably chubbier, de-wormed, thoroughly spoiled and with no more aching teeth, Riffraff has been moved to an outside enclosure where he is surrounded by adoring females. He is king of all he surveys. As I stopped by to see him the other day, he looked so unbelievably smug, I told him I thought he’d orchestrated the whole arrangement ... and, you know what? ... I swear the old coot winked at me!

Mavis Sutton

Critter Care Wildlife Society

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