4.25.2012

Urban adventure


Cute, huh?  I mean, what an irresistible little face and appealing expression.

Yeah...except when you've got one down your chimney!

Hubby was up on the roof this morning after breakfast with a flashlight to see if he could determine what was trapped in our chimney.  We'd heard little squeaks and noises last night in the fireplace behind the insert, but couldn't do anything about it--and we thought it was a bird or a squirrel.  But a raccoon?!  Groan.  And it wasn't little.

He hung a rope down the length of the chimney (two stories high) and called animal control.  Believe it or not, they said these critters don't generally fall down chimneys, they hide out deliberately and can get out just fine.  But just in case they don't, drop an ammonia-soaked rag down there and they'll hustle up and out pretty quick.

Knowing they're nocturnal, we decided to wait until this evening.  SweetPea accompanied her dad up on the roof (homeschooler field trip, you know) to see if the cute little thing was still there.  Yup, it was.  So to force the issue, the dad poured some ammonia down one side, insuring a healthy dose of noxious fumes to get the job done.

That's when he saw...


...babies!

Double groan!  She sure enough had a Purpose for hiding out in our fireplace. (Photos not mine but you get the idea.) 

Hubby feels bad about the ammonia...but maybe it'll expedite matters.  Hopefully, Mama will find it too inhospitable and move her family quickly to better digs.  And I really hope it was intentional on her part to get down our chimney, because if not, then I'll be writing part two of this adventure. Enough is enough!


4 comments:

  1. We had a litter under our deck in a part that we had to remove boards and have her and the babies removed by an expert. The guy takes them to his farm and releases them. He turned out to be quite interesting and the kids learned a lot! The babies were so cute, but I felt bad for mom. She was mad. Be careful. They can be a handful.

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  2. Wow that does sound like quite an adventure. I do hope they come out of the chimney pretty easy for you. :)

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  3. Oh dear. It's been a few days since you posted, did mama move her babies? Cute, but such a bother. We don't have racoon problems here as the trees are a ways from the house, but I'm sure there are plenty down by "our" river.

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  4. So how did it all go???? I am curious to know. I am sorry it took me a bit to get over here. I always enjoy myself when I come here to visit. I pray many blessings and ((HUGS))

    In Him<><
    -Mary

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