Unwanted Visitors

I'm in a bit of a grouchy mood.  The dog barked all night long - this means that our midnight marauder is back.  Drastic measures must be taken today.  

We have a beautiful fish pond integrated into our deck.  My husband worked tirelessly planning and implementing this lovely final project in our home renovation.  Over the last couple of years the fish pond has become his passion - in additional to a variety of beautiful water plants, he has added fish, snails and a bullfrog or two. Every spring he contemplates carefully new additions to the pond, and an annual trip to the water garden store on Father's Day ensures that the garden will add to the relaxing feel of the deck.  We didn't really anticipate there would be much trouble with the fish pond, until the neighborhood raccoon discovered its existence.

Much like the never-ending battle of man against squirrel for the bird seed, we have tried a number of methods to protect the fish pond from the devious raccoon.  When he last visited (i'm assuming it's a he) he left plants pulled up or knocked over and cracked snail shells on the side of the pond.  Fortunately it is so early in spring, he didn't damage any plants last night, their growth is still underwater.  Despite it only being March, it is time to put up my husband's final and best method for eliminating our unwanted visitor...the Coon Be-Gone, an ingenious contraption designed to shoot water like a sprinkler across the deck when anything enters within range of its motion sensor.  It's not a little sprinkle, either, it's a strong blast of moving water! We've never had to put it up this early, but I imagine that the mild winter we have had has brought the raccoon out to explore everything a little earlier than is typical.

"What about the dog? you ask.  Well, she smelled it, for sure.  And the first time we came into the kitchen and turned on the lights, I imagine the raccoon skedaddled. But did the determined beagle give up?  She knew something had been out there and she was determined to protect us...from midnight until 5:30 - when she realized she had been barking all night and it was time for her to catch some sleep.  Grrrrr.

Tonight, hopefully, the Coon-Be-Gone will take care of any visitors, the dog will have no need to defend her territory, and I will get a good night sleep.

Here's hoping!