[Jeff Higgins]

There were at least two that Serge saw, but there could have been more. They didn't really so much run off as waddle away into the night with Serge shooing them off.

Leica was a pretty slightly built Golden, going maybe 50 pounds, if that. Our neighborhood raccoons are quite large, and quite well fed. I would guess they are pushing 30 pounds or so. They are certainly comfortable around people. Not really approachable (not that I would try), but they certainly don't run when they see me. I've had them watching from the end of my driveway as I hop in the car to go to work.

My guess is that Serge and family may have been one of the guilty parties feeding them. Not so much on purpose like others, but more because Leica pretty much was an outside dog, with her food out next to her doghouse. They probably didn't bring it in at night, just letting the raccoons finish off what she didn't. I think Leica cornered them as they were coming after "their" food.

Raccoons in the wild would never try to take on something as big and relatively formidable as even a small Golden. I think our locals have become acclimated and emboldened. We do lose a fair number of the semi-feral cats that roam the 'hood, and I do hear some hair-raising scraps in the middle of the night. Just never a dog, until now.

Edit:

Yes, we have plenty of coyotes as well. Just as bold, too - they don't really run off when they see a man, either. Serge saw the raccoons, though.

Best time for fur is early to late fall. They have grown the winter coat, but haven't had enough time to rub bald spots in it, or to matt it all up. February is too late in the year. They still have thick pelts, but they are pretty ratty by now.