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Animals
Raccoon Babies in Our Chimney
The babies, eyes not even open yet, snuffled and squealed until they snuggled together and then only whimpered a little.
We had been hearing noises in our fireplace for a few days, so we called a chimney guy we found by way of Google. The next morning, a giant of a man appeared at our door. He introduced himself as Kevin.
Kevin looked like he could rip a chimney open with his bare hands, but he was soft-spoken and moved slowly and with surprising grace. “Let’s take a look,” he said as I brought him into the dining room to see our fireplace.
He lowered himself to the floor and poked his massive head into the fireplace. He then made some odd noises that were answered from above. “Raccoon,” he pronounced. He then made some more noises and reverently added, “with babies.”
He took his head out of the chimney and unfolded so that once again, he filled the room. Cupping his hands as he spoke, he told us that he loves raccoons and has raised them as pets.
“Though that’s illegal now,” he added wistfully.
He explained that Mom always has two homes and that if we pushed her out, sealed off the chimney, and put the babies out in a box, she would come to get…
