ALL CREATURES MANY WITH TEETH

We moved into the rental house last Friday afternoon.
We have mowed the yard, pulled some weeds, picked up after the dogs. The refrigerator leaks water, there are not enough electrical outlets. I have had 3 dog fights, one between Nigel and Conley who ended up fighting inside a crate. The mosquitoes are frightening, some of the neighbors are very nice.
The man who came to put Freon in the a/c unit accidentally set the unit on fire, but managed to put it out and fix it altho we have yet to turn it on.
I have washed every piece of clothing we own, been to the store, fixed actual meals.
The dogs are adjusting well. There is a nice, large backyard.

It had just dried out enough that it wasn't muck, but this morning it is raining again.
This next is a photo looking from the front to the back room. It is an important photo, so take note.

Above that large opening leading into the "dining room" is some ductwork put in when they put in forced air.

Last night, all three Bassets were happily (and voluntarily) asleep in their crates when they leapt up as one, charged full speed out of their crates and, baying, rushed into that room. First they ran to the door, then the window and finally, began leaping into the air pointed at the ductwork.
To my horror, inside the duct, I heard thumping, skittering--claws on metal-- and then--------------------------------then------------------the unmistakable sound of very small raccoons calling frantically for Mom.

There is a content warning at the beginning of this blog. But my immediate thought was:
                       "Oh fucking shit, NO WAY!!!!"


You see, we had raccoons in the crawlspaces above the kitchen sink and upstairs in the OTHER house--the real one we would be living in if the roof had not been re-done in the midst of a hurricane type wind and rainstorm.

There is no mistaking the chirring of the sweet little bastards once you have encountered it. There is no mistaking the sounds of the Mama stomping down a metal duct. Also make no error in thinking raccoons are cute, cuddly, sweet, engaging little rapscallions, because they are not. Threatened, raccoons are big, fast, extremely vicious and they fight dirty. Oh. And not only are they smart but never forget they have HANDS, that they can grab onto you (or your dog) and bite and bite and tear AND NEVER LET GO. They carry parasites and rabies. They are not cute. But there they are, in our ductwork.

Supposedly the owner of this property is sending someone out today to "take care of it". SHort of tear out the duct, I am not sure how. I can tell them right where they were last night, but raccoons are nocturnal and sleep during the day, and it may be that they have moved.
Anyway today will not be like yesterday for the dogs:

Besides it is raining.

                       Looking forward to today's entertainment. NOT.