In May of 2006 three small baby raccoons lost their mother. A kind soul discovered these cold hungry little ones and took them to a wildlife rehabber in Jacksonville Florida. Two of the babies were healthy. One however later named Peaches was deaths door. Her organs were shutting down due to hypothermia. She had suffered severe brain damage from falling to the ground. Most rehabilitators would have euthanized her never giving her a chance. How ever one special rehabber fought to save her. Peaches bounced around from rehabber to rehabber. I use to be furious with one of her care givers who I heard neglected her. Now I can’t help but forgive free from all judgments. I’ve learn by experience that there is no good that come from be critical of other. I’m not Christian but I still believe strongly in the verse that says “judge not least you be judged.
Polly a disabled raccoon with brain damaged who lived with me for nearly 10 years was dying of liver cancer before my eyes a little bit more every day. When I heard about two and a half month old Peaches needing someone to care for her she had no hope to speak of. I feared that I could not handle loosing both Polly and Peaches. I knew Peaches had no chance at all without me so I knew I had to take her home.
Peaches brain damaged caused her to think that everything including her own body was a predator and terrified she attacked herself as she dug deep into her skin with her teeth. She chewed her hands so bad she lost one of thumbs. With lots of special attention and intense medical care day by day Peaches health and moral slowly improved. Peaches was never steady on her feet but eventually she began to walk around and explore her surroundings. She really enjoyed eating everything with the exception green veggies. Just like a human baby everything went in her month, even rocks and dirt.
She stopped attacking herself and her injuries healed leaving behind many scares a reminder how far she had come. She became such a happy raccoon. She was always the most content in my arms. I always felt the safest when I held her close. Our bond was absolutely priceless.
Peaches could be happy anywhere in the world as long as we were together. Because of Peaches’ disabilities I knew from the beginning she could never survive on her own in the wild. I believe for a raccoon the best place to be is wild and free. Living in captive is the next best thing for many who can’t live independently. I have special permits that allowed me to keep her in my home and take her out into public to educated people on raccoons and other wildlife. Peaches and I shared a very special bond like none I had ever had with a human being. For 12 years I let raccoons and raccoons alone into my heart. I admire raccoons like Peaches for always living in the moment and loving life to the end.
Peaches brained only reached the developmental stage of about a six week old baby raccoon but she never let this stop her. Peaches got excited over the simplest things in life. Peaches favorite thing to do was to go on out doors we me where she smelled and tasted everything in nature. Peaches grew into a happy adventurous raccoon.
Peaches touched the hearts of all the thousands of people young and old just by being herself. Peaches had a special gift she shared with the world. I still run into strangers who met us at educational events who ask about her. I’ll never forget all the adventures we had. For many people she was the only raccoon they ever saw up close. I was reminded that we were making a difference every time someone told me that we changed there perceptions of raccoons.
Peaches had a lot of ups and downs in life but was lucky enough to have spent most of her time on earth enjoying life. I feel very lucky to have had the privilege of caring for her. I’m pound to have been Peaches “mommy” and best. Peaches had a greater positive effect in her one year than most humans have in their entire life time.
My struggle to keep Peaches alive ended late one night. I tucked her into bed and made sure she was comfy that evening. When I returned home from work I found her warm body lifeless. Peaches’ damaged organs finally gave out and failed completely.
When I lost Peaches I lost all hope. I had no reason left to go on living. For 9 years my way of dealing with pain was to abused prescription pills. When I lost Peaches I used and used with no regard for my own life until I had no pills left to abuse. Between coming down from the drugs and being off my psychiatric medications loosing Peaches was just more than I could bare. One night a week and a half after Peaches passed away in pure desperation I Over dosed on nearly 400 pills nearly seceded in ending my own life.
After being released from the hospital’s ICU I was shown hope and give another chance by an unexpected friend who reached out to me and later became my boyfriend. Soon I was able to see the possibility that I had hope without drugs. I use to hold Peaches tight and close when she was in poor health and beg her not to leave me alone. Although I didn’t realize it when at the time of her passing Peaches didn’t leave me alone. I now have a very special human I let into that special place in my heart previously reserved for my raccoons only. He supported and guided me during active addiction and has continued to walk with me through each of my days clean. Because of him I’m only fighting to save raccoons. I’m battling for my own life and happiness as well. I’ve realized I’m not good to anyone human or creature if I don’t take care of myself first and for most.
It has been almost six months since I lost Peaches. She is never far from heart. I personally believe Peaches watches over me and has been holding my hand through all the difficulties I’ve had since her passing. If I live to be 100 I will still love and remember Peaches as one very special friend who’s life was cut short at 14 months old.
In memory of Peaches May 1, 2006-July 26 2007
Polly a disabled raccoon with brain damaged who lived with me for nearly 10 years was dying of liver cancer before my eyes a little bit more every day. When I heard about two and a half month old Peaches needing someone to care for her she had no hope to speak of. I feared that I could not handle loosing both Polly and Peaches. I knew Peaches had no chance at all without me so I knew I had to take her home.
Peaches brain damaged caused her to think that everything including her own body was a predator and terrified she attacked herself as she dug deep into her skin with her teeth. She chewed her hands so bad she lost one of thumbs. With lots of special attention and intense medical care day by day Peaches health and moral slowly improved. Peaches was never steady on her feet but eventually she began to walk around and explore her surroundings. She really enjoyed eating everything with the exception green veggies. Just like a human baby everything went in her month, even rocks and dirt.
She stopped attacking herself and her injuries healed leaving behind many scares a reminder how far she had come. She became such a happy raccoon. She was always the most content in my arms. I always felt the safest when I held her close. Our bond was absolutely priceless.
Peaches could be happy anywhere in the world as long as we were together. Because of Peaches’ disabilities I knew from the beginning she could never survive on her own in the wild. I believe for a raccoon the best place to be is wild and free. Living in captive is the next best thing for many who can’t live independently. I have special permits that allowed me to keep her in my home and take her out into public to educated people on raccoons and other wildlife. Peaches and I shared a very special bond like none I had ever had with a human being. For 12 years I let raccoons and raccoons alone into my heart. I admire raccoons like Peaches for always living in the moment and loving life to the end.
Peaches brained only reached the developmental stage of about a six week old baby raccoon but she never let this stop her. Peaches got excited over the simplest things in life. Peaches favorite thing to do was to go on out doors we me where she smelled and tasted everything in nature. Peaches grew into a happy adventurous raccoon.
Peaches touched the hearts of all the thousands of people young and old just by being herself. Peaches had a special gift she shared with the world. I still run into strangers who met us at educational events who ask about her. I’ll never forget all the adventures we had. For many people she was the only raccoon they ever saw up close. I was reminded that we were making a difference every time someone told me that we changed there perceptions of raccoons.
Peaches had a lot of ups and downs in life but was lucky enough to have spent most of her time on earth enjoying life. I feel very lucky to have had the privilege of caring for her. I’m pound to have been Peaches “mommy” and best. Peaches had a greater positive effect in her one year than most humans have in their entire life time.
My struggle to keep Peaches alive ended late one night. I tucked her into bed and made sure she was comfy that evening. When I returned home from work I found her warm body lifeless. Peaches’ damaged organs finally gave out and failed completely.
When I lost Peaches I lost all hope. I had no reason left to go on living. For 9 years my way of dealing with pain was to abused prescription pills. When I lost Peaches I used and used with no regard for my own life until I had no pills left to abuse. Between coming down from the drugs and being off my psychiatric medications loosing Peaches was just more than I could bare. One night a week and a half after Peaches passed away in pure desperation I Over dosed on nearly 400 pills nearly seceded in ending my own life.
After being released from the hospital’s ICU I was shown hope and give another chance by an unexpected friend who reached out to me and later became my boyfriend. Soon I was able to see the possibility that I had hope without drugs. I use to hold Peaches tight and close when she was in poor health and beg her not to leave me alone. Although I didn’t realize it when at the time of her passing Peaches didn’t leave me alone. I now have a very special human I let into that special place in my heart previously reserved for my raccoons only. He supported and guided me during active addiction and has continued to walk with me through each of my days clean. Because of him I’m only fighting to save raccoons. I’m battling for my own life and happiness as well. I’ve realized I’m not good to anyone human or creature if I don’t take care of myself first and for most.
It has been almost six months since I lost Peaches. She is never far from heart. I personally believe Peaches watches over me and has been holding my hand through all the difficulties I’ve had since her passing. If I live to be 100 I will still love and remember Peaches as one very special friend who’s life was cut short at 14 months old.
In memory of Peaches May 1, 2006-July 26 2007
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