She Bit Me!

[jmcquown[_2_]]

It wasn't her fault. Buffy got very upset because there was a raccoon
on the patio and it came right up to the glass door. I didn't see it,
it was already dark outside. She's got very sharp eyes.

She started hissing and growling and then yowling. I thought it might
be a cat. (She truly hates seeing other cats.) I flipped on the
outside lights and there was a big raccoon peering in the back door. It
ran off, but it came back the minute I turned the lighs off. When I
turned the lights back on it left again.

Buffy was very upset. I was trying to comfort her and she turned around
and bit me. Ouch!

She really does NOT like interlopers.

She didn't really hurt me (didn't break the skin, but it hurt and is
bruising - I bruise very easily). I yelled at her just the same. NO!
DO NOT BITE ME!

She's curled up on the crackle sack at the moment so I guess she got
over it. Me, I'm going to be dealing with a bruise on my arm for the
next few days.

BTW, that was a very large raccoon. Looked like it weighed about 20
lbs. They have very sharp claws, opposable thumbs and teeth... a very
good reason to keep cats indoors. :)

Jill

[MaryL[_2_]]

On 3/3/2016 7:53 PM, jmcquown wrote:
> It wasn't her fault. Buffy got very upset because there was a raccoon
> on the patio and it came right up to the glass door. I didn't see it,
> it was already dark outside. She's got very sharp eyes.
>
> She started hissing and growling and then yowling. I thought it might
> be a cat. (She truly hates seeing other cats.) I flipped on the
> outside lights and there was a big raccoon peering in the back door. It
> ran off, but it came back the minute I turned the lighs off. When I
> turned the lights back on it left again.
>
> Buffy was very upset. I was trying to comfort her and she turned around
> and bit me. Ouch!
>
> She really does NOT like interlopers.
>
> She didn't really hurt me (didn't break the skin, but it hurt and is
> bruising - I bruise very easily). I yelled at her just the same. NO!
> DO NOT BITE ME!
>
> She's curled up on the crackle sack at the moment so I guess she got
> over it. Me, I'm going to be dealing with a bruise on my arm for the
> next few days.
>
> BTW, that was a very large raccoon. Looked like it weighed about 20
> lbs. They have very sharp claws, opposable thumbs and teeth... a very
> good reason to keep cats indoors. :)
>
> Jill

This is known as misdirected (or redirected) aggression. You have a
particularly difficult situation because you don't have any control over
the raccoon. They are often attracted to bird feeders. I seem to
recall that you don't have a feeder and simply scatter some feed on your
patio. It would probably be a good idea to limit the amount you scatter
to the amount the birds will eat in a day so there isn't any left over
for the raccoon (although you may already be doing that). Do you have
curtains or drapes that could be drawn over windows where Buffy and the
raccoon look at each other? At any rate, good luck with this and I hope
it does not recur.
http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-behavior-tips-redirected-aggression-in-cats

MaryL

[Bastette]

jmcquown wrote:

> It wasn't her fault. Buffy got very upset because there was a raccoon
> on the patio and it came right up to the glass door. I didn't see it,
> it was already dark outside. She's got very sharp eyes.

> She started hissing and growling and then yowling. I thought it might
> be a cat. (She truly hates seeing other cats.) I flipped on the
> outside lights and there was a big raccoon peering in the back door. It
> ran off, but it came back the minute I turned the lighs off. When I
> turned the lights back on it left again.

> Buffy was very upset. I was trying to comfort her and she turned around
> and bit me. Ouch!

> She really does NOT like interlopers.

> She didn't really hurt me (didn't break the skin, but it hurt and is
> bruising - I bruise very easily). I yelled at her just the same. NO!
> DO NOT BITE ME!

> She's curled up on the crackle sack at the moment so I guess she got
> over it. Me, I'm going to be dealing with a bruise on my arm for the
> next few days.

> BTW, that was a very large raccoon. Looked like it weighed about 20
> lbs. They have very sharp claws, opposable thumbs and teeth... a very
> good reason to keep cats indoors. :)

Yikes! You are right - raccoons can be dangerous to cats. One killed my
sister's cat years ago. :( I'm kind of afraid of them myself. They're
adorable to look at, but I wouldn't want to have a confrontation with one
in front of a garbage bin.

I agree with Mary that Buffy's bite was redirected aggression.

--
Joyce

[jmcquown[_2_]]

On 3/3/2016 9:18 PM, MaryL wrote:
> On 3/3/2016 7:53 PM, jmcquown wrote:
>> It wasn't her fault. Buffy got very upset because there was a raccoon
>> on the patio and it came right up to the glass door. I didn't see it,
>> it was already dark outside. She's got very sharp eyes.
>>
>> She started hissing and growling and then yowling. I thought it might
>> be a cat. (She truly hates seeing other cats.) I flipped on the
>> outside lights and there was a big raccoon peering in the back door. It
>> ran off, but it came back the minute I turned the lighs off. When I
>> turned the lights back on it left again.
>>
>> Buffy was very upset. I was trying to comfort her and she turned around
>> and bit me. Ouch!
>>
>> She really does NOT like interlopers.
>>
>> She didn't really hurt me (didn't break the skin, but it hurt and is
>> bruising - I bruise very easily). I yelled at her just the same. NO!
>> DO NOT BITE ME!
>>
>> She's curled up on the crackle sack at the moment so I guess she got
>> over it. Me, I'm going to be dealing with a bruise on my arm for the
>> next few days.
>>
>> BTW, that was a very large raccoon. Looked like it weighed about 20
>> lbs. They have very sharp claws, opposable thumbs and teeth... a very
>> good reason to keep cats indoors. :)
>>
>> Jill
>
> This is known as misdirected (or redirected) aggression. You have a
> particularly difficult situation because you don't have any control over
> the raccoon. They are often attracted to bird feeders. I seem to
> recall that you don't have a feeder and simply scatter some feed on your
> patio. It would probably be a good idea to limit the amount you scatter
> to the amount the birds will eat in a day so there isn't any left over
> for the raccoon (although you may already be doing that). Do you have
> curtains or drapes that could be drawn over windows where Buffy and the
> raccoon look at each other? At any rate, good luck with this and I hope
> it does not recur.
> http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-behavior-tips-redirected-aggression-in-cats
>
>
> MaryL
>
Yes, I realise it was redirected agression. And yes, I do limit the
amount of seed I scatter. It's been warm here so I haven't put out much
bird seed. They can fend for themselves mostly around here. But I have
a bird bath so maybe the raccoon was looking for water. <shrug>

As for curtains, well, the entire back wall of the living room is glass.
Two double doors with two glass panels, one on either side. There are
curtains but they are sheers. Buffy has managed to get her claws into
those. I cannot afford to hang actual heavy curtains (they'd have to be
custom made) to fit the entire back wall. Oh well.

I have a bruise, no real damage. I just hate that she gets so upset.

Shortly before this happened I saw a herd of deer running out back.
That's no biggie. But then I saw a hummingbird hovering at the window
right in front of me where my desk is! I made up a batch of sugar
water. Tomorrow I will hang the hummingbird feeder. Spring is on the
way! :)

Jill

[jmcquown[_2_]]

On 3/3/2016 10:25 PM, Bastette wrote:
> jmcquown wrote:
>
> > It wasn't her fault. Buffy got very upset because there was a raccoon
> > on the patio and it came right up to the glass door. I didn't see it,
> > it was already dark outside. She's got very sharp eyes.
>
> > She started hissing and growling and then yowling. I thought it might
> > be a cat. (She truly hates seeing other cats.) I flipped on the
> > outside lights and there was a big raccoon peering in the back door. It
> > ran off, but it came back the minute I turned the lighs off. When I
> > turned the lights back on it left again.
>
> > Buffy was very upset. I was trying to comfort her and she turned around
> > and bit me. Ouch!
>
> > She really does NOT like interlopers.
>
> > She didn't really hurt me (didn't break the skin, but it hurt and is
> > bruising - I bruise very easily). I yelled at her just the same. NO!
> > DO NOT BITE ME!
>
> > She's curled up on the crackle sack at the moment so I guess she got
> > over it. Me, I'm going to be dealing with a bruise on my arm for the
> > next few days.
>
> > BTW, that was a very large raccoon. Looked like it weighed about 20
> > lbs. They have very sharp claws, opposable thumbs and teeth... a very
> > good reason to keep cats indoors. :)
>
> Yikes! You are right - raccoons can be dangerous to cats. One killed my
> sister's cat years ago. :(

I'm so sorry to hear that. My former fiance, Ray, had a dog that was
attacked by a raccoon when it was a still a puppy. The pup had to be
quarantined until they could determine it hadn't contracted rabies.

>I'm kind of afraid of them myself. They're
> adorable to look at, but I wouldn't want to have a confrontation with one
> in front of a garbage bin.
>
I sure don't want to walk up and pet one. They do look cute, but...
There was a day last year when I went to the accounting office to drop
off a check. Got out of my car and looked over and there was a raccoon
sitting about 10 feet away, watching me. They are usually nocturnal so
it made me a tad skittish.

> I agree with Mary that Buffy's bite was redirected aggression.
>
I know she didn't mean to hurt me. She was just pent up because she saw
the raccoon and she was upset.

Now she's upset with ME because it's late and I'm not in bed! :)

Jill

[MaryL[_2_]]

On 3/3/2016 11:00 PM, jmcquown wrote:
> On 3/3/2016 9:18 PM, MaryL wrote:
>> On 3/3/2016 7:53 PM, jmcquown wrote:
>>> It wasn't her fault. Buffy got very upset because there was a raccoon
>>> on the patio and it came right up to the glass door. I didn't see it,
>>> it was already dark outside. She's got very sharp eyes.
>>>
>>> She started hissing and growling and then yowling. I thought it might
>>> be a cat. (She truly hates seeing other cats.) I flipped on the
>>> outside lights and there was a big raccoon peering in the back door. It
>>> ran off, but it came back the minute I turned the lighs off. When I
>>> turned the lights back on it left again.
>>>
>>> Buffy was very upset. I was trying to comfort her and she turned around
>>> and bit me. Ouch!
>>>
>>> She really does NOT like interlopers.
>>>
>>> She didn't really hurt me (didn't break the skin, but it hurt and is
>>> bruising - I bruise very easily). I yelled at her just the same. NO!
>>> DO NOT BITE ME!
>>>
>>> She's curled up on the crackle sack at the moment so I guess she got
>>> over it. Me, I'm going to be dealing with a bruise on my arm for the
>>> next few days.
>>>
>>> BTW, that was a very large raccoon. Looked like it weighed about 20
>>> lbs. They have very sharp claws, opposable thumbs and teeth... a very
>>> good reason to keep cats indoors. :)
>>>
>>> Jill
>>
>> This is known as misdirected (or redirected) aggression. You have a
>> particularly difficult situation because you don't have any control over
>> the raccoon. They are often attracted to bird feeders. I seem to
>> recall that you don't have a feeder and simply scatter some feed on your
>> patio. It would probably be a good idea to limit the amount you scatter
>> to the amount the birds will eat in a day so there isn't any left over
>> for the raccoon (although you may already be doing that). Do you have
>> curtains or drapes that could be drawn over windows where Buffy and the
>> raccoon look at each other? At any rate, good luck with this and I hope
>> it does not recur.
>> http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-behavior-tips-redirected-aggression-in-cats
>>
>>
>>
>> MaryL
>>
> Yes, I realise it was redirected agression. And yes, I do limit the
> amount of seed I scatter. It's been warm here so I haven't put out much
> bird seed. They can fend for themselves mostly around here. But I have
> a bird bath so maybe the raccoon was looking for water. <shrug>
>
> As for curtains, well, the entire back wall of the living room is glass.
> Two double doors with two glass panels, one on either side. There are
> curtains but they are sheers. Buffy has managed to get her claws into
> those. I cannot afford to hang actual heavy curtains (they'd have to be
> custom made) to fit the entire back wall. Oh well.
No, I certainly would not recommend that. Ironically, they might not
even help--it was just a thought of something to try if they were
already available.
>
> I have a bruise, no real damage. I just hate that she gets so upset.
Yes, we tend to worry more about our beloved furbabies than about our
own injuries. I am very glad that you only have a bruise.
>
> Shortly before this happened I saw a herd of deer running out back.
> That's no biggie. But then I saw a hummingbird hovering at the window
> right in front of me where my desk is! I made up a batch of sugar
> water. Tomorrow I will hang the hummingbird feeder. Spring is on the
> way! :)
>
> Jill
Yes, it seems like spring is here (East Texas). I have lots of azaleas
blooming, and we have early spring blooms all around town. The temp was
76 degrees (F) today.

Best wishes to you and Buffy.

MaryL

[jmcquown[_2_]]

>>> curtains or drapes that could be drawn over windows where Buffy and the
>>> raccoon look at each other? At any rate, good luck with this and I hope
>>> it does not recur.
>>> http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-behavior-tips-redirected-aggression-in-cats
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> MaryL
>>>
>> Yes, I realise it was redirected agression. And yes, I do limit the
>> amount of seed I scatter. It's been warm here so I haven't put out much
>> bird seed. They can fend for themselves mostly around here. But I have
>> a bird bath so maybe the raccoon was looking for water. <shrug>
>>
>> As for curtains, well, the entire back wall of the living room is glass.
>> Two double doors with two glass panels, one on either side. There are
>> curtains but they are sheers. Buffy has managed to get her claws into
>> those. I cannot afford to hang actual heavy curtains (they'd have to be
>> custom made) to fit the entire back wall. Oh well.

> No, I certainly would not recommend that. Ironically, they might not
> even help--it was just a thought of something to try if they were
> already available.
>>

Cats spot things we don't even notice. There was a teeny tiny spider on
the edge of the couch. I didn't see it. Buffy spotted it and pounced!

>> Shortly before this happened I saw a herd of deer running out back.
>> That's no biggie. But then I saw a hummingbird hovering at the window
>> right in front of me where my desk is! I made up a batch of sugar
>> water. Tomorrow I will hang the hummingbird feeder. Spring is on the
>> way! :)
>>
>> Jill

> Yes, it seems like spring is here (East Texas). I have lots of azaleas
> blooming, and we have early spring blooms all around town. The temp was
> 76 degrees (F) today.
>
> Best wishes to you and Buffy.
>
> MaryL
>
>
Thanks, Mary. Yes, the azaelas are blooming here, too. The pretty
white ones are behind the house. All the ones out front are pink and
that is NOT my favourite colour.

I hope Duffy continues to do well with the thyroid meds. I worry about him.

Jill

[Bastette]

jmcquown wrote:

> Mary wrote:

>> Do you have curtains or drapes that could be drawn over windows where
>> Buffy and the raccoon look at each other?

> ...well, the entire back wall of the living room is glass. Two double
> doors with two glass panels, one on either side. There are curtains but
> they are sheers. Buffy has managed to get her claws into those.

Several years ago I redid my livingroom and I bought this beautiful sheer,
champagne-colored material that had a vine/flower pattern embroidered all
over it. I used those to make curtains. They're lined with muslin because
a main function of the curtains is to give me privacy. Even so, they were
gorgeous.

During the intervening years, Licky has managed to completely shred the
delicate material. He likes to lie on the back of the couch and kind of hang
over the baseboard to absorb maxiumum heatwaves. To support himself in that
position, he hooks his claws into the curtains. So the hem looks the worst.

I bought new material a couple of months ago so I could make new ones. It's
not nearly as classy and the curtains will probably keep out more light when
drawn. On the other hand, I might never get around to making the new ones. :)

--
Joyce

Socialism never took root in America because the poor see
themselves not as an exploited proletariat but as temporarily
embarassed millionaires.
--John Steinbeck

[Bastette]

jmcquown wrote:

> I sure don't want to walk up and pet one. They do look cute, but...
> There was a day last year when I went to the accounting office to drop
> off a check. Got out of my car and looked over and there was a raccoon
> sitting about 10 feet away, watching me. They are usually nocturnal so
> it made me a tad skittish.

Right. Unusual (and uncharacteristic) behavior *can* be a sign of rabies.

--
Joyce

Socialism never took root in America because the poor see
themselves not as an exploited proletariat but as temporarily
embarassed millionaires.
--John Steinbeck

[jmcquown[_2_]]

On 3/7/2016 6:13 PM, Bastette wrote:
> jmcquown wrote:
>
> > I sure don't want to walk up and pet one. They do look cute, but...
> > There was a day last year when I went to the accounting office to drop
> > off a check. Got out of my car and looked over and there was a raccoon
> > sitting about 10 feet away, watching me. They are usually nocturnal so
> > it made me a tad skittish.
>
> Right. Unusual (and uncharacteristic) behavior *can* be a sign of rabies.
>
I didn't really suspect it was rabid but it was unusal behavior. All
wild animals are suspect in my book. :)

Jill

[Takayuki]

On Thu, 3 Mar 2016 20:53:15 -0500, jmcquown > wrote:
>It wasn't her fault. Buffy got very upset because there was a raccoon
>on the patio and it came right up to the glass door. I didn't see it,
>it was already dark outside. She's got very sharp eyes.
>
>She started hissing and growling and then yowling. I thought it might
>be a cat. (She truly hates seeing other cats.) I flipped on the
>outside lights and there was a big raccoon peering in the back door. It
>ran off, but it came back the minute I turned the lighs off. When I
>turned the lights back on it left again.
>
>Buffy was very upset. I was trying to comfort her and she turned around
>and bit me. Ouch!

This reminded me of when Persia bit you - although I think Persia's was
more of a love bite. I get all sorts of bite from my kitties, but the only
serious ones are when I've done something to set off Spicey. :)