Orphaned Raccoon Thinks She's a Dog After Being Rescued and Raised by Family with Dogs. Last year Rosie Kemp, who lives in Nassau, Bahamas, found a baby raccoon that had fallen out of a tree. The raccoon was incredibly weak and in need of medical attention.
They adopted the baby:
She was very weak, and had broken her back leg. Kemp waited, but when the raccoon's mother didn't return she decided to take her in.
Kemp lives in Nassau, Bahamas, where there are no raccoon rescues and it's legal to own them. Determined to give the tiny cub her best possible chance, Kemp and her daughter, Laura Young, raised the little raccoon just like one of their own. They named her Pumpkin and nursed her back to health. “They are so unbelievably intelligent, very aware, and I would say they are even able to express emotions.” Laura said. They fed the cub, every few hours round the clock and kept her warm and toasty, just like her mom would have.
"Raising her was (and still is) a full-time job," Young told The Dodo. "They are so unbelievably intelligent, very aware, and I would say they are even able to express emotions."
Now Pumpkin lives with Young, her husband, William, and their two rescue dogs, and appears to be as happy as can be. Her adventures are chronicled on her Instagram account, where Young and her friends post photos of Pumpkin's daily life.
She loves to hang out with her dog siblings …
… and relax outdoors …
and cuddle up on the couch.
She even likes to play by the pool.
And being a raccoon, she needs to have her hands in everything that goes on
especially if it's food.
"She instantly bonded with us and our two rescue dogs and follows me and our two dogs everywhere we go," Young said. "She now thinks she is a dog … she is able to play and be rough with them and she respects them when they have had enough."
And Pumpkin has no problem making herself heard. One morning, Young said, she was in a room with Pumpkin and the dogs when Pumpkin decided she wanted out. So she climbed onto a basket by the door and proceeded to try and open the knob herself.
"Raccoons are NOT pets," Young explained. "They are wild animals, so they are quite moody. Unlike dogs and cats, they are not domesticated. Like a spoilt child if she doesn't get her way, she will let you know."
Raccoons, like all wild animals, belong in the wild whenever possible. But since Pumpkin missed out on that life, her family is devoted to making sure she has everything she needs to thrive.
And she seems quite happy with it. Young said Pumpkin loves air conditioning, and feasting on treats like sunny-side up eggs and watermelon. She's even learned to use the toilet to go to the bathroom.
Thanks to Young and her family, the year-old raccoon has a home and a bright life ahead of her. And most importantly, she has people who will do anything they can to keep her happy — even if her life is a bit unusual.
"We are very lucky with her and always want and will do what is best for Pumpkin," Young said. "But for now she is very happy with us and the dogs!"
You can follow Pumpkin on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
H/T: thedodo.com
Image Source: Instagram/pumpkintheraccoon
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