Pepper and the Possum

One evening a couple months ago, Pepper was out of control barking in the back yard. We went out and found a possum walking on top of our fence. We gathered around (kept our distance of course), Scott took few pictures, we hauled Pepper back in the house, and that was that.

Possum on the Fence

But the possum took up residence under the deck where she and Pepper were separated by two inches of wood, practically nose to nose. So, Pepper barked. We hauled her in. Pepper barked. We hauled her in.  When temperatures fell below zero, Pepper left a little pond of ice from her barking and drooling that marked the Possum's spot for days.

We talked about pouring water on the possum, but the weather was harsh with temperatures below zero, and we're soft-hearted about animals. We like possums.

Then one day the Possum had enough of Pepper's barking, and made her way out from under the deck, and then scrambled over under this old garden bench where they confronted one another.

The Encounter. I love how Pepper blends into the leaves. Note to self: must repaint groovy garden bench.

 Mammal to mammal.

Not to worry, Justin wasn't this close to the possum. He used the zoom, and I cropped the picture. We kept our distance.

Pepper's barking took on a new level of frenzy, we gathered around, and Justin took pictures. Then I hauled Pepper in, and Scott commenced to encouraging the Possum to rehome herself.

The woodpile is now gone. Plenty of fires these days.

Miss Possum hissed and scooted, hissed and scooted.

The red flannel shirt and faded jeans are a nice touch to the whole story. Shout out to Scott for the woodsmanlike wardrobe choice.

Off the woodpile, through the snow, toward the gate.

Shuffle. Shuffle.

Hissing all the way.

Move it along, nothing to see here.

Anna laughed the whole time.

I think it was around twenty degrees. No one wore a coat. We're hardy that way.

Scott shuffled Possum down toward the creek, I think. And secured the gate.

But now, she's back. The gate being closed doesn't make much difference if you're already a fence climber. There really must be a major lack of good housing options for her to be willing to hole up here with Pepper drooling and barking on top of her roof. Next step is a live trap and a car trip before Pepper goes completely berserk.