No injuries or threats of injuries, but in retrospect, I was really
stupid this morning.

Now, we have raccoons, who come to steal the cat food I put out for
the feral cats. In particular, we have two mama raccoons.
Specifically, we have a couple of two-month old baby raccoons whom the
mamas are weaning onto solid cat food (grin).

So this morning, I am putting out the food. The cats rush over. The
mama raccoons saunter over, but out of reach because I have been
trying to chase them off until the cats have eaten. The two babies
rush over and start eating with the cats.

Now comes the stupid part. I reach down and pet one of the babies, and
scratch its ears, as if it were one of the cats. It leans into my hand
and accepts skritchies.

Mama raccoon has a HORRIFIED look on her face - "Eek! The eevil
raccoon hater has touched my baby!", but she keeps her distance and
makes no threatening sounds or threatening moves.

Suddenly, I realize that it COULD have been problematical, stop
petting the baby and step back. No problems.

However, if I find a basket with two baby raccoons and a note written
in raccoonese on my front porch tomorrow...

Hugs and Purrs,
Mark