9 May 2008 update on blind mother raccoon. She's still around, as of yesterday at least, when we last saw her. We've been out all afternoon & evening today, so missed her if she visited us. I left some dry cat kibbles under the shrubbery where she hides and comes thru into our patio area, so she'd have some food while we were gone, as she can't compete with the raccoons who have their vision. She hurt one of her front legs recently and has been hobbling around, which makes foraging even more difficult for her. But when she was here yesterday, she seemed to be using her hurt paw/leg more, so hopefully it'll gradually improve.

no sign of the blind mama raccoon for about a week. Trusting she's okay and will show up again.(this is April 6 2008 now).

update. after having the blind mama raccoon visiting us around the same time each morning for quite awhile, - lately she hasn't shown up for a week or more and I haven't seen her around anywhere else either. Sometimes if we missed seeing her on our front patio, I'd see her later at nights on our crescent, wandering about, looking for food.

Not sure what's happened. Am wondering if perhaps she's had babies and isn't leaving her den yet. Time will tell, I guess. Plan to ask my next door neighbour if she's seen her.

update, now February 20 and the mama raccoon is still around. we see her most days now.

Hi Anne, thanks very much for the nice comments, glad you enjoyed the story and photo. There are also other images of them. Haven't seen the blind Mother raccoon for about 5 days now, so am thinking perhaps something happened to her.

it's now November 15, and as of a couple days ago, the blind mother raccoon was still here. She loves donuts : )

Wow it's nice to know there are so many warm and caring hearts out there. Very touching story and picture.

its nice to learn that a raccoon can get along wthout its eyesight because this morning i looked out my window and on top of my minurature horses back was a baby racoon. It had been a very cold night and he crawled up to stay warm. I went running outside to see this amazing sight up close to my amazement he didnt run off he is blind. im going to care for him.

Hi Ikka, I understand your concern. Sad part is, the baby has not been seen for 2 weeks now, so something has happened to it. And now, the mother raccoon hasn't been seen for a few days either. We've been out a lot so may have missed her, - time will tell.

yes, I know what you mean, Vicky. Have also been hoping perhaps he'll show up, altho' really am sure he won't, after so long being missing. When looking back at some of my entries here, notice that I mentioned the strong winds blowing the treetops on July 9th, - so have wondered since reading that, whether the poor little fella might have lost his hold on the tree branch and fallen down. Didn't see him again after that strong wind.

Hi Vicki, thanks, knew you'd be sorry to hear. well, the mother seems able to take care of herself really, as she's getting up there in age and has survived for sometime this way, I believe.

As hopeful a thought that is, re the baby being out on his own now, am afraid that's not "it", as he was too young, - this years offspring, born March or April I think. I read somewhere that the mothers keep the young for about a year, - believe it's a bit longer for one of the sexes, female perhaps, I've forgotten. Am pretty sure they boot the offspring out, so to speak, when they are about to have the new young the following year.

Hi Dear Vicki, am glad you shared that special story with us, - have never heard of a raccoon befriending a dog like this. That is very sweet. Great to hear about it.

Sorry to say, I fear the worst for the baby raccoon, as the mama has been appearing here (and around the area) for several days now, alone. Have held off from updating, as was hoping the baby might re-appear, but am afraid too long has passed. Infact, up til the early hours of this morning, thought the mother raccoon might also be "gone", -- but she finally showed up here when she heard me down the end of the back garden around 3 AM this morning. All was quiet there, and I was just about to return to the house, when here appeared the poor blind mother raccoon. I gave her some food. She was sniffing the base of a tree trunk that the raccoons climb up, and I was wondering if she was trying to locate a scent of her baby. Of course, am quite sad to think of something happening to that special little baby, infact, had a hard time falling asleep last night after seeing her alone down there, and thinking how prettily he had played in the water and how he had been running around so fast the last time I saw him. Guess the poor mother raccoon couldn't protect the baby well enough, and something went wrong. Anyway, we had the opportunity to see the wonder of this little "fella" interacting with his disabled mother, and I feel privileged to have been able to capture the images and share them with anyone interested.

update:) haven't been seeing this pair during daytime lately, which is good, but was a bit concerned. Went out late 2 nites ago, down to the end of the backyard, and sure enough, there they were, - the baby's leg is fine now, happy to report :) so am glad the mama is now bringing baby out at night. Missed seeing them last night, went down there at around 2:15AM but none were there. Even they go to bed earlier than me lol

Awe inspiring. I too hope the pair will reappear and be looking better.

Nice image and story - Nature is amazing.

I will Mike. Didn't see them yesterday, but hubby saw them ambling down the front driveway, as usual. Hope to see them today.

Hi Mike, am glad you find it of interest and thanks for the nice comments. Yes, I agree, it is amazing. I did see them again here yesterday. The pair of them walk down our front driveway each day, - it's cute to see them. I just hope nothing happens to the poor things.

many thanks, Alex D and Busymomof2 for the encouraging comments, always appreciated. glad the story is of interest. am hoping to see the pair of them again today, as didn't see them yesterday as we were gone from afternoon to evening.

What a beautiful photo and a touching story..thanks for sharing it with us!

Fascinating story accompanied by some excellent photos. Life can be cruel, but both people and animals make some amazing accomodations to ensure their survival.

I hope this pair live long and happy lives.

Almost tears here also. Lets hope they could make it with the baby growing up so soon. Unselfish love this child has for its mother. Beautiful.

thanks Anne for the nice comments. It is a bittersweet type of situation, for sure. The other early evening, in the backgarden, saw the pair of them on the side/back fence. Had camera, so tried to get some images (didn't turn out as was too dark) But the baby saw me and stood up on its little hind legs (to get a better view I guess) and actually "tapped" his mother with one little front paw,- he did it about 3 times, as if to let her know someone was there. It was cute to watch. I did get some images of them on the fence, but they are pretty blurry.

thanks very much, Tania and Alex.

Alandra what a wonderful capture with a sad story.

I have a big lump in my throat viewing this, its sad but also heart warming too. I'm glad you are keeping us informed and am hoping we never get to hear any bad news. 'Fingers crossed'