We have a neighbor who is on vacation and we are feeding their cats for them. Twice a day we go over and fill the food and water bowls. They're outdoor cats, and they're always waiting for us with gleeful aniticpation. Very appreciative.

Actually, cat duty is Ben's job. But Mary or I go over with him. Tonight, we went over late and it was dark. Ben went out to gather the bowls and count the cats. Suddenly, he calls out, "DAD! THERE ARE RACCOONS OUT HERE!" And he tossed the bowls and ran inside.

There were four or five of them Maybe six. When he went to Science Camp last year, he learned that raccoons bite, so he vehemently refused to go back out there.

Well, all the raccoons cared about was that bowels of food were forthcoming. I told Ben that they were more afraid of us than we were of them, and mentioned the size differential. He didn't buy it. They were big, for raccoons, butrelaxed, passive. Even a little afraid of the cats.

I put the water bowl out, and they tipped it over. I put two bowls out and three of them scarfed them with the fervor and fury of savages. They were really hungry.

We waited to see if they'd go away, and they did. We put the bowls out for the cats, who'd been waiting patiently, and three of them began to eat. But the raccoons came back and edge the cats away and proceeded to gobble away.

We've decided to go early tomorrow night, before dark. Raccoons are nocturnal, aren't they?