I was listening to a radio talk show on my drive to work this morning about people’s funniest Thanksgiving stories.  One lady told a story of many years ago how she was thawing her turkey on her back porch in one of those old-style metal milk boxes (okay, I’m giving away my age - remember them?).  On Thanksgiving morning, she opened the door to retrieve her bird to cook it and a very large and very hungry raccoon was dragging the turkey across her lawn!  Duh!  In those days, grocery stores were closed on the holidays so she realized that she could never get another turkey. She started chasing the raccoon to retrieve the 25-pound bird.  Luckily, the raccoon dropped it and ran away.  The woman said that the raccoon had left puncture marks on the bottom of the turkey, so in desperation, she cut away the areas that were chewed, cooked and served the turkey.  Miraculously, no one got sick but they were incredibly lucky.  If that raccoon had had rabies, they may have gotten sick.  If this happens to you, forego the turkey and chose to have a vegetarian dinner!

I know that this kind of story doesn’t happen often (at least I hope not!) but it’s worth reminding everyone that raccoons and other wildlife carry rabies and other diseases.  We’ve heard that the large majority of raccoons in our area are rabid.

And speaking of wildlife, the deer rut season is upon us.  They are much more active during this time and frequently run into the roads, day or night.  I’m seeing quite a few dead deer on the side of the roads.  Be extra careful; stay safe for the holidays!