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Author
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Topic: Tom 'n "Baxter."
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Rainbow~
Knowflake Posts: 984
From: an enchanted cottage by the sea
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted April 15, 2004 02:41 AM
 
Not so very long ago, my son Tom, his girlfriend Lynn, and Barney, Tom's l7 year old cat, all lived happily together....When Barney would go outside to play, he was often greeted by a very friendly skunk whom Tom called Baxter....and Barney and Baxter they would eat together too, when Tom would set food outside the door for them....so "Baxter" came to be a familiar sight around there.... One day Tom and Lynn decided to part....and an affectionate, loving, purring, ole Barny filled a painful void in Tom's life...Tom called Barney his best friend....a best friend who loved him unconditionally.
 ...and then one day Barney ran away, and did not return....  making it even more lonely for Tom....I'd call daily to see if Barney had returned yet, always to be told no....but he did see Baxter outside, maybe looking for Barney....and Tom would put catfood outside the door for him.... Then one day I get a call from Tom...."Mom, guess what?" he asked.... I thought perhaps Barney had returned...but no....instead Tom told me that Baxter came in the house and was sitting on the couch beside him, eating pizza rolls with him...and then as we were talking, Baxter jumped on his lap and started licking his face...."He loves me, Mom. We're friends! And he's so beautiful!" I couldn't believe Tom had a skunk in his house....."Tom you'd better get him out" I advised...*sigh*...but Tom assured me that he and Baxter were friends, and he knew that Baxter would not spray him.... After their little "party" Tom put Baxter back outside. No unpleasent incident occured...but a warm and friendly one did...*sigh*
 
IP: Logged |
juniperb
Moderator Posts: 4182
From: www.Heaven.Home
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted April 15, 2004 09:08 AM
 what a beautiful love story.  Skunks are wonderful guests and I enjoy them puttering around. Every spring we get to see babies in the flower beds. They actually get used to the dogs and our nocturnal meanderings. They only spray in defense and if one is knowing, you can see it comming. I`ve never been sprayed but we`ll see how the future plays out  juniperb  ------------------
If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans. ~James Herriot IP: Logged |
TINK
Knowflake Posts: 435
From: New England
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted April 15, 2004 09:13 AM
I love that story Rainbow! Lucky Tom. Skunks are so darn cute aren't they. I've always wanted to pet one. One visits my backyard but I haven't gotton that close yet.  I watch from the safety of the kitchen window.IP: Logged |
juniperb
Moderator Posts: 4182
From: www.Heaven.Home
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted April 15, 2004 09:25 AM
Tink, I hope you can go out and slowly acclimate s/he to you. They are curious as heck & will give many laughs. My Dad was a woodsman and he rescued many motherless critters to be returned to the woods when they were big enough. One time, it was a baby skunk. Cutest little bugger til me brother sat on him. The skunk was unscathed but Lordy did bro stink. ------------------
If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans. ~James Herriot IP: Logged |
TINK
Knowflake Posts: 435
From: New England
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted April 15, 2004 06:40 PM
Well, for many years I heard the family legend of my uncle being sprayed when he was an adventuresome youngster. So every time I see a skunk I'm drawn to it, yet also a wee bit hesitant. For obvious reasons. He wanders around the backyard at night - I think he's attracted to the compost pile. Often, when I come home late at night, I catch a glimpse of him running behind the shed. My fear is I will startle him into a knee-jerk, defensive spray. And who would blame him? Everything is entitled to a defense mechanism.
I could try the ole' Little Prince and the Fox routine.
Maybe someday. IP: Logged |
Nephthys
Moderator Posts: 1020
From: California
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted April 15, 2004 09:34 PM
Rainbow,I loved your story!  My cat Yoda (who is now in Heaven), made freinds with a possum. I used to leave a bowl of drinking water outside the front door where I used to live for when Yoda was outside for a few hours. Once, I saw a white creature scoot right next to Yoda, and hobble over to it; I thought it was the grey cat who lived next door, so I said, "Yodaaaaaaa.....be niceeeeee....". Yoda just sat there dumbfounded and watched his friend drink water. As I got up, I noticed it wasn't the grey cat, but a possum!!!! Then, another time, my neighbor used to fix his cars on the driveway and my cats used to hang out with him. One day he told me they had a visitor one evening, and it was the possum, and Yoda and the possum acted like they knew each other.  IP: Logged |
juniperb
Moderator Posts: 4182
From: www.Heaven.Home
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted April 16, 2004 09:17 AM
Nephthys Tink, a skunk in general will give a warning s/he is about to spray. They stamp their front feet,chitter and bob around. It always makes me laugh so hard but I know I`m pushing my limit and gracefully back away. ------------------
If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans. ~James Herriot IP: Logged |
TINK
Knowflake Posts: 435
From: New England
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted April 18, 2004 07:43 PM
Well, Juni, it's the "in general" that gives me pause. However, not wishing to go on record as the only scaredy-cat Scorpio here at LindaLand, I will now pledge, on my honor as a Knowflake, to formally introduce myself to Mr. Skunky the very next time I catch him slinking behind the garden shed. IP: Logged |
juniperb
Moderator Posts: 4182
From: www.Heaven.Home
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted April 19, 2004 08:33 AM
Tink, you are my hero Introduce yours-elf with a piece of pb&j sandwich. Put it out where you know it will scrounge around. Sit still nearby where s/he can see you and make soft human noises.( I hum  ) Do this for a few nights & Mr/s skunk will get used to you and you two can walk in peace. juniperb ------------------
If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans. ~James Herriot IP: Logged |
TINK
Knowflake Posts: 435
From: New England
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted April 19, 2004 08:11 PM
You mean skunks like pb&j too?! I KNEW there was a reason I liked skunks! At least we'll have something in common to talk about. Well, you know, besides an interest in the compost pile. IP: Logged |
Lindaland
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