Dan Baker of Freeport sent us a story about an unusual event at his home in Freeport April 14. We’ll let Dan tell the story:
“Yesterday evening around 9:00 P.M. windows open, fresh air and pure bliss was over me while watching the reruns of the Masters Invitational when suddenly our cats, Percy and Mini and the adorable dog Bella stirred in a panic after a quiet evening. They all wanted out of this house barking howling, screaming, squalling and scratching at the door. There was no quieting them. This kind of had me shook. I usually do not spook at anything. I stepped outside while shoving my way past the inside critters, heard nothing, saw nothing to be alarmed about except a Whippoorwill in the distance. The inside pets by this time (12:30 A.M.) had be running all over the house. Bella was up and down on the bed, baying at the window or front door. By the way “Bella” is a full sized Yorky and she thinks she is a Rottweiler. No sleep for me or them last night.
Seems the “Miracle of Birth” can happen anywhere. When I when out to deposit a bag in the garbage can I took a double look. Mrs. O’Possum had delivered her litter of babies (kittens or cubs or whatever) in my garbage can. Mother Possum could not be stirred. She seemed very content nursing her new arrival’s. I daringly crept up on the can with camera in hand got a couple of photos for proof. Mom Possum did not stir…But now what do I do?
I have imagined trying to help extract the family from my garbage can but the picture in my mind of a pissed off Mother Possum trying to kill me just does not set right in my mind.”
Side note: Deb Edwards from Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge informed us these babies are not newborns, as newborn opossums are the size of a lima bean. When born, they transfer to the mother’s pouch for nursing and growth. Once they reach a larger size, the offspring attach to the mother’s back until large enough to head out on their own. We are not sure what the circumstances are, however hope mom and her babies are headed back to the woods soon.