We are apparently regular critter catchers. After the possum episode this past weekend, we thought we would put the trap out one more time just on the off chance that another one might come looking to play.
During the middle of the day, I had just set the thing out on the picnic table in the yard and my wife called me to report another quick catch.
This time, it was a bird. Don't worry, in spite of the awkward looking pose, the little guy was not harmed in any way. I lifted open the door and off he went to warn the others!
With that, I pretty much figured PETA would be kicking down our doors before long, so I washed the cage really well and we took it back to our association.
Okay, I'm thinking if you got a get out of jail card, you don't come back 15 minutes later. But sure enough, our little friend was apparently still hungry.
Sorry. As it turns out, he was inside the cage eating the rest of the dog food I put in as bait - I hadn't even reloaded. And once again, the door didn't close. So my wife walks over to look at him as a distraction and I throw a rock which hits the fence directly behind him causing him to eat more of the dog food. My seocnd throw was a strike, and both doors closed as designed.
I actually feel bad because he is a nice enough looking guy, and I think I scared the crap out of him with my wildly inaccurate rock throwing. But his nightly 10PM jaunts through our yard were creating all sorts of havoc with Gracie, and frankly, he may be a wild animal, but she has lived here longer.
Of course, our dog couldn't contain herself and had to get in a quick sniff before being sent back in the house until the dust settled.
We called Chief Burton from GNW Security and he arrived to take the trap and relocate our friend to greener pastures.
So long.
You have to actually catch the critter in order to release it...
So, I have mentioned a few times, including just last Friday how we have had a new friend come to play with our dog Gracie. I find the little opossum to be friendly, as does the dog, but admittedly, we have been told that they have recently been found to be rabid, so, well... enter the trap.
I went out this evening and set up an animal friendly trap that allows us to feed our little friend before relocating him to an area more suitable for him to enjoy his lifestyle of walking around yards at night looking for dog and cat food. I'm thinking there is a guy on Ridge Run who would enjoy another pet. (Just kidding - don't send letters to the editor - it's just a joke).
Anyway, the gist of the trap is, you set the bait, in this case, some of Gracie's food, the little critter walks in to eat, then steps on the trigger and the cage closes.
I walked out back to recycle a can in my can cruncher, and there he was, eating like a fat kid trapped in a cake shop, only the cage was wide open.
WTH?
Naturally, I went back inside to grab my camera and after we exchanged pleasantries, the opossum decided to leave. That's him jumping from the table to the ground as I watch. Apparently, the little guy wasn't heavy enough to drop the doors.
So, off he went.
My dog Gracie seems to know when a new freind is out back for her to play with. Take tonight for instance. 
Here is her little kitty friend, back again for another visit.
Gracie was none to pleased when I wouldn't let her stay out and play.
Oh look, it seems my neighbor got a new cat. I hope they can teacher it to stay in their yard because this morning when I let my dog out, it seemed as though they didn't get along all that well.
I'm sure they'll be friends once they get used to each other.
I kid you not, just the other night whilst watching the Spurs Vs. Hornets debacle with the ring of fire incident, I heard my dog barking in the back yard. I interrupted my mocking of the Hornets' staff to go investigate, and sure enough, my dog Gracie is barking at an Opossum frozen on the fence.
Yea, here in The Five-Oh, we get opossums, raccoons, skunks and other forms of wildlife.
So a friend sent me this picture with the caption:
"What Happens When City Folk Move to The Country".
Friday morning on my way to work, I found out that my windows are really dirty. I need to clean them. Oh, and on Callaghan Road, there was a minor fender-bender.
Oh, we were in Bed Bath and Beyond, and apparently, it is a pretty cool place to take a nap if you are a homeless child.
Remember that possum in my yard? Strange, he hasn't been back for a while.
This time, it was a bird. Don't worry, in spite of the awkward looking pose, the little guy was not harmed in any way. I lifted open the door and off he went to warn the others!
Sorry. As it turns out, he was inside the cage eating the rest of the dog food I put in as bait - I hadn't even reloaded. And once again, the door didn't close. So my wife walks over to look at him as a distraction and I throw a rock which hits the fence directly behind him causing him to eat more of the dog food. My seocnd throw was a strike, and both doors closed as designed.
I actually feel bad because he is a nice enough looking guy, and I think I scared the crap out of him with my wildly inaccurate rock throwing. But his nightly 10PM jaunts through our yard were creating all sorts of havoc with Gracie, and frankly, he may be a wild animal, but she has lived here longer.
Of course, our dog couldn't contain herself and had to get in a quick sniff before being sent back in the house until the dust settled.
We called Chief Burton from GNW Security and he arrived to take the trap and relocate our friend to greener pastures.
Anyway, the gist of the trap is, you set the bait, in this case, some of Gracie's food, the little critter walks in to eat, then steps on the trigger and the cage closes.
Naturally, I went back inside to grab my camera and after we exchanged pleasantries, the opossum decided to leave. That's him jumping from the table to the ground as I watch. Apparently, the little guy wasn't heavy enough to drop the doors.
So, off he went.
Here is her little kitty friend, back again for another visit.
Gracie was none to pleased when I wouldn't let her stay out and play.
I'm sure they'll be friends once they get used to each other.
"What Happens When City Folk Move to The Country".
