I left the back door open the other night: it was warm, and I was very tired of letting someone either in or out approximately every thirty seconds. Then I went into the kitchen to see to something, and when I came back, here's what I saw:
The cat food bowls on the back porch were empty, and he'd apparently come in to see if there was anything to eat inside. (This is the smallest—and least street-smart—of the three possums that eat here: the middle-sized one is mostly black, and the largest is gray with white blotches, and about twice this size.) That black box is my Featherweight case (and the other thing is my great-grandmother's treadle machine, which I use as a sewing table. One of these days I'm going to replace the belt and learn to sew on it, just in case—he must have gotten behind it and not been able to figure out how to get back out. He was not a happy camper, and he has lots and lots of lovely sharp white teeth, so I got the broom and gently guided him away from the box so he could see the door—and after he rushed out, I closed the screen door firmly. (It has a wooden bar across the bottom, and I don't think he can climb over it to get in the cat hole.) By the way, did you know possums growl?
And where were the cats, valiant defenders of the homeland? Most of them were out. Earl was sleeping on John's desk. Mr. Poozle was sleeping on the bed. Sam was sitting on the counter, watching Brer Possum, and making absolutely no attempt to do anything.
If we're invaded by hordes of starving possums, apparently it's every man (or cat) for himself . . .
Great photo! You know it might not be a bad thing that no one reacted. My dogs would have chased that thing all over the house and it would be bedlam trying to get it out.
Posted by: Judi W | Friday, 28 March 2008 at 08:57 PM
HOLY POSSUM! I would have had a MAJOR fit! You are one calm, level-headed lady! I'm shaking just thinking of finding a possum in the house. Don't know why those things creep me out but they DO! Shudder!
Posted by: Kai | Friday, 28 March 2008 at 10:26 PM
Our possums hiss, or more like blow. I almost stepped on one in the dark one night and he blew at me. Scared me half to death.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | Saturday, 29 March 2008 at 11:45 AM
My word - you must be calm to have found the camera and snapped these shots! As for the cats protecting you - we had a squirrel come in once. Cats were not concerned or interested at all.
Posted by: Jo-Anne | Saturday, 29 March 2008 at 12:41 PM
Oh my!!! For whatever reason I find possums just a bit creepy. Outside is plenty close enough!
Posted by: Katie | Monday, 31 March 2008 at 05:36 PM
Had to get my daughter (now 21) in the room to see these photos...she once had a friend baby possum who lived in a tree outside our old apartment. She named him Pinky and we left dog food and he actually grew and I guess lumbered off for a grander life. But she saved him from attacking crows one time by lobbing kitchen items out the window at the crows (!) and it is still a story she tells proudly to this day.
Posted by: Susan | Wednesday, 02 April 2008 at 12:18 AM
Oh, my gosh, what a shock to see the possum. I have never seen one, but there is something a wee bit scary. Isn't this what Perkins caught in the old Spin & Marty shows? It seems like he called it something else??
Posted by: Nan | Wednesday, 02 April 2008 at 12:46 PM