As the weather turns cooler there tends to be an increase in the number of raccoon encounters for our dogs.
In the northern states where the winters are harsh, raccoons will at some point enter their yearly semi-hibernation.
Prior to this time, with food getting scarce, they spend more and more time foraging close to homes and in garbage cans.
This leads to an increase of the possibility our pets will encounter these midnight bandits, even in their own yards.
Like most dog owners I've talked to, I never gave much thought to this being a problem.
I learned differently about three years ago on a brisk fall night.
Not only did I learn a very important lesson, my dog Jake learned a very painful one.
We were sitting outside around the bonfire, talking and enjoying a nice warm cup of hot coco.
Jake was laying at my feet like always, when I saw something moving out of the corner of my eye.
It was a very large raccoon that was walking across the yard like it owned the place.
By the time I could react Jake was up and on the coon.
With no place to run the raccoon decided to fight, and let me tell you it could fight.
I was helpless to do anything as they battle it out in the yard.
I'm sure it only lasted a few minutes but the intensity of the fight made it seem like hours.
The growling from Jake and the coon was almost deafening.
After several very painful bites from the raccoon Jake finally had enough.
The coon slowly backed toward the trees growling all the way.
Jake sat at my feet licking his wounds and whimpering.
I don't know what condition that raccoon was in but Jake was a mess.
I took him inside and gave him a more thorough inspection.
He was bleeding from his nose and mouth, he had several small wounds on his belly area and was obviously in pain.
I did my best to clean him up and used peroxide on the cuts.
He didn't appear to have any that would require stitching and fortunately his rabies shots were up to date.
In the end Jake recovered with no ill effects and is the same happy dog he was before the incident.
The one good thing that came out of this incident is that I no longer take lightly the dangers of a raccoon encounter.
It really can be life threatening for a dog.
Jake is a large Lab, I hate to think of what the outcome of an encounter would of been for a small dog.
I don't believe the ending would be a very happy one.
If you live in an area that is frequented by the occasional raccoon, be vigilant when it comes to your beloved dog.
Even a very large breed of dog can be severely injured by one of these compact little fighters.