All Things Furry

 After the kids are in bed each night, Will and I usually end up flipping on the TV and snuggling on the couch. I make the snack and open all of the windows, the double doors and the garage to let a breeze through the house. It really is heavenly. Well, my world has been partially shattered this last week…twice…due to some unexpected visitors.

Take 1…Will is sitting on the couch and I am walking over with popcorn. I get about 5 feet from the door ready to sit down when I see this huge looking rat thing turn from the French doors and scurry away. I only got a good look at the back so the thick, naked tail hinted that it wasn't a cat. It looked to be about 10lbs. so the logical part of my brain told me it wasn't a rat, while the illogical part of my brain wigged out and started doing a heeby geeby dance on the ottoman long after it had left.

After making Will google rats, moles(to his chagrin) and other rodents I identified it as an opossum (I know they are supposed to be mostly in the south, but I would swear that was what I saw…and no I haven't seen any UFOs lately). Classifying it felt good, but didn't make the heeby geeby feeling go away. I kept the doors shut for several days.

Take 2… Two days later, after I get brave enough to open the doors again…Will is sitting on the couch and I am walking over with tortillas and honey. We have a repeat. This time, I can identify it right away. I notice the bushy black tail with the white stripe. Logical part of my brain says, “Jessica don't spook the skunk!” (Actually, I recall Will telling me those exact words at the time). Illogical part of my brain kicks into gear overriding the other parts and I actually scream. Lucky for me, he didn't think I was that great to look at either. He took off and didn't even leave us a perfume sample. Afterward, the consequences of having a skunk spray the living room registered in my mind and I made a decision. Note to self: Don't scream at a skunk.