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Raccoon ate my window!

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    1. kosherdave
      kosherdave

      The Kosherist
      Joined: Jan '06
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      Last night I came home to my cat sitting on my bed, staring out the window. I thought I saw his reflection and that it was what he was staring at, then I realized it was a HUGE raccoon staring into my apt and I noticed my cat was actually growling at it. It had chewed through the screen of my window and tried to get in. The window was open about 3 inches.

      Anyway, the thing was NOT scared of me. I tried to shoo it away and I closed the window, but for the next few hours it sat there and my other cat came to see it and they tried to smell each other thru the window. It actually seemed like it wanted to come in to be with the cats. Or maybe eat them.

      I took a few pics and it was not even afraid of the flash.

      So, I called 311 who put me thru to 911. The cops took around an hour and a half to show up, and in that time I called back a few more times because the creature was continuing to eat its way into my bedroom. They showed up with some mace admitting they had no idea what they were doing, and that the stuff often did not stop dogs and they never tried it on a raccoon. Thanks for the vote of confidence!

      When the cops arrived, it was gone, of course. I had to sleep with a lamp on, shining out the window, which was annoying.

      Anyone else have problems like this? What did you do? The cops said that if it came back we could call animal control, which is what the 311 people SAID they were arranging for.
    2. User has not uploaded an avatar
      ChristinafromBklyn

      getting it
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      Hi Dave,

      That certainly sounds like an odd occurrence. I wonder if he/she is rabid?...
    3. scarlett
      scarlett

      Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
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      Oh yes. When I lived on 20th and 7th we frequently had Rocky in the backyard. To this day when I go outside at night there, I make a big noise and turn the light on, but I don't think he ever cared. Sometimes he would go to the other end of the yard.

      Ya gotta be careful because they are mean and nasty animals. Do not let your kitties near them. Shut your window. Lock you doors!
    4. voodoonyc
      voodoonyc

      Mojo Mofo
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      Last year I had two GIANT raccoons that were camped out on my deck (and I live on the second floor!). I waited a couple days, but they didn't leave. I finally called my landlord who put me in touch with an exterminator who set humane traps for them. They were both trapped that night (with cat food no less) and the exterminator came and picked them up and released them in a non-residential area. But yeah, they really entertained my two kitties for a couple of days.
    5. yankeefan
      YankeeFan

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      there's lots of racoons in prospect park. have been for as far back as i can remember. i often see them running around the streets atnight, hiding under cars. i hear stories about people finding them in their backyard. i've also seen rabits and possums in the park too

      never heard about racoons eating windows though. not sure what to tell you
    6. User has not uploaded an avatar
      Anonymous



      Posts: 9,622

      "non-residential area" = they went to "the farm" so they could run around and play
    7. User has not uploaded an avatar
      Anonymous



      Posts: 9,622

      and, KD, let's see those pictures!

      If that was Stella Maria, she would have gone right after him. I hope that never happens in my yard!
    8. opossumqueen
      OpossumQueen

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      They usually want to avoid people. A raccoon that is out during the day, quickly approaches people, or stumbles around may very well be rabid (I know this from multiple experiences with rabid raccoons, unfortunately).

      Maybe try calling the ACC (Animal Care and Control) if you see it again and it's still acting odd. I think the city tracks these things. Or maybe the ASPCA would respond or suggest who to call. The city should be interested in potentially rabid animals since they want to monitor and control the disease. I don't imagine cops would have the proper equipment or knowledge to handle that.
    9. yankeefan
      YankeeFan

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      OpossumQueen » try calling the ACC (Animal Care and Control) if you see it again and it's still acting odd. .

      i just googled them heres their site

      http://www.nycacc.org/
    10. armchair_warrior
      armchair_warrior

      retsop cixelsyd
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      should of put cap it's ass for eating your windows.:P

      just a unbelievable story :o. holy smokes, i of would think they would be afraid of you or the cats. good thing those things haven't evolved to open windows yet. they already got those burglar mask evolved:p.
      Fight white guilt and injustice by smoking tax free guilt free Reservation Smokes or go gamble in a Native Casino.
      I like to stick it to The Man, The Man happens to be Liberal in NYC(power Structure).
    11. User has not uploaded an avatar
      joseph11

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      Subject: Re: Raccoon ate my window!

      kosherdave » Last night I came home to my cat sitting on my bed, staring out the window. I thought I saw his reflection and that it was what he was staring at, then I realized it was a HUGE raccoon staring into my apt and I noticed my cat was actually growling at it. It had chewed through the screen of my window and tried to get in. The window was open about 3 inches.

      Anyway, the thing was NOT scared of me. I tried to shoo it away and I closed the window, but for the next few hours it sat there and my other cat came to see it and they tried to smell each other thru the window. It actually seemed like it wanted to come in to be with the cats. Or maybe eat them.

      I took a few pics and it was not even afraid of the flash.

      So, I called 311 who put me thru to 911. The cops took around an hour and a half to show up, and in that time I called back a few more times because the creature was continuing to eat its way into my bedroom. They showed up with some mace admitting they had no idea what they were doing, and that the stuff often did not stop dogs and they never tried it on a raccoon. Thanks for the vote of confidence!

      When the cops arrived, it was gone, of course. I had to sleep with a lamp on, shining out the window, which was annoying.

      Anyone else have problems like this? What did you do? The cops said that if it came back we could call animal control, which is what the 311 people SAID they were arranging for.

      Did you really call the police. Don't you think they have better things to do. WOW I just can't believed that you would waste the time of a new york city police officer like that. WOW
    12. anastasia beaverhausen
      Anastasia Beaverhausen

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      He called 311 WHO PUT HIM THRU TO 911.
      Babies aren't meat! They're not even people!
    13. User has not uploaded an avatar
      Peanuts

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      Wow...glad it didn't hurt your kitty - that had to be scary

      I also suggest Animal Care or ASPCA - they'll make sure that whoever traps it does it the right way ... on Animal Precinct they showed a trapper who didn't check the traps daily and the raccoons died.
      Peanuts
    14. kosherdave
      kosherdave

      The Kosherist
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      Read the post. I asked 311 to put me thru to animal control. Which they said they did. They then said 911 was taking care of it. And since the thing was eating INTO my apartment, yeah, I felt they had nothing better to do that protect and serve.

      Also, I appologized to one of the guys for making him come out for it and he ACTUALLY SAID they weren't doing anything else. So, it's not that I THINK they had nothing better to do... they DIDN'T.

      WOW.
    15. mpmav1
      Mpmav1

      "Pick Up My Poo"
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      Subject: Re: Raccoon ate my window!

      kosherdave »  I took a few pics and it was not even afraid of the flash

      Post! I'd love to see the pics.
      Did Someone Say Walk?
    16. User has not uploaded an avatar
      flaco

      getting it
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      what the hell is it with this 'don't bother the police' crap??!! That is what they are there for, Joseph (who is probably long since vanished to troll another thread with his words of wisdom)...and read your papers (even within the last week)...let's not hold them up as nothing but heroes and saviors. many are, but...and like my man said, the frickin thing was EATING THROUGH HIS WINDOW! and just what would you have done??
    17. bkchickie
      BKChickie

      Bagel Hole Girl
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      Subject: Re: Raccoon ate my window!

      I'm betting that it was rabid.

      I haven't had that experience with a raccoon, but I have had something similar with a squirrel. Scary little bugger, too! It was very aggressive. Finally decided then and there that the birdfeeders had to come down for good.
    18. stacey
      stacey

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      flaco »  the frickin thing was EATING THROUGH HIS WINDOW! and just what would you have done??

      This!

      http://www.backwoodsbound.com/zracoon1.html
    19. carmen
      Carmen

      Mayor of Snark Slope
      Joined: Jun '06
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      Subject: Re: Raccoon ate my window!

      BKChickie » I'm betting that it was rabid.

      I haven't had that experience with a raccoon, but I have had something similar with a squirrel. Scary little bugger, too! It was very aggressive. Finally decided then and there that the birdfeeders had to come down for good.

      Yep, be careful with all dem rabies. We had a big problem where I used to live- people being attacked and bitten by chipmunks and all sorts of things! Make sure you leave your windows closed...raccoons are really good with their "hands" and can get into almost anything but are probably not strong enough to open a window!
      whoa hey whoa hey whoa
    20. User has not uploaded an avatar
      Anonymous



      Posts: 9,622

      I keep reading the title and thinking

      The dingo ate my bay-bee!
    21. raw
      raw

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      Angry raccoons have been known to chase humans. Think of raccoons as stout alligators covered with fur.

      Buy a Gorilla Security Alarm, several fat pumpkins, and a heavy baseball bat. Set the alarm on your window and practice smashing the pumpkins until you hear the alarm go off, announcing the beast's arrival. Then you can swing at the real thing, but DON'T MISS.
      I blame such comments on beer.
      © karlthedruid 2007
    22. carmen
      Carmen

      Mayor of Snark Slope
      Joined: Jun '06
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      raw » Angry raccoons have been known to chase humans. Think of raccoons as stout alligators covered with fur.

      Buy a Gorilla Security Alarm, several fat pumpkins, and a heavy baseball bat. Set the alarm on your window and practice smashing the pumpkins until you hear the alarm go off, announcing the beast's arrival. Then you can swing at the real thing, but DON'T MISS.

      lol
      whoa hey whoa hey whoa
    23. User has not uploaded an avatar
      modsquad

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      I don't think there has been a case of rabies in Brooklyn in the past 100 years. I think they found a rabid fox up in the northern Bronx a few years back.

      Kosher Dave if you were wearing those sunglasses, maybe he though you were his Pappy Raccoon!
    24. veets
      veets

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      I have afriend who lives on 13th street and has huge sliding glass doors on the lowest level of the house. Last year at about this time we were sitting at the diningroom table having a nioce dinner and heard some noise. We looked up and this raccoon was hanging upside down looking in at us through the sliding doors. Dinner must have looked good to him. We didn't move, probably because we were all in schock and he just stared at us. When we finally got up from the table and approached this solid glass divider between us and he... he did not budge. After a while he righted himself and moved on. Very freaky!

      I certainly understand why Dave did call 311. We were about to do the same thing. Even if they are not rabid they certainly are presumptuous. In PS I think we are just so politically correct in some ways that even the creatures can take advantage of our live and let live attitude.
    25. brooklynpotter
      brooklynpotter

      ceramme ceramma danna
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      VoodooNYC » Last year I had two GIANT raccoons that were camped out on my deck (and I live on the second floor!). I waited a couple days, but they didn't leave. I finally called my landlord who put me in touch with an exterminator who set humane traps for them. They were both trapped that night (with cat food no less) and the exterminator came and picked them up and released them in a non-residential area. But yeah, they really entertained my two kitties for a couple of days.

      voodoo, i'm sorry to tell you but in NYC any raccoon that is caught has to be euthanized. it's the law. so, what flexi said.

      i wish they weren't so dangerous because they're such beautiful creatures.
      what would you tell me, if i could hear you speaking?--t.r.
    26. User has not uploaded an avatar
      Obamanut

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      Raccoons, tornados, 7-11?

      Gee, Brooklyn is starting to feel kind of like...
    27. User has not uploaded an avatar
      modsquad

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      veets » We looked up and this raccoon was hanging upside down looking in at us through the sliding doors. Dinner must have looked good to him.

      Open at your own risk.

      http://modblog.bmezine.com/wp-content/uploads/200701081408-pix2.jpg
    28. voodoonyc
      voodoonyc

      Mojo Mofo
      Joined: Apr '08
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      brooklynpotter » voodoo, i'm sorry to tell you but in NYC any raccoon that is caught has to be euthanized. it's the law. so, what flexi said.

      i wish they weren't so dangerous because they're such beautiful creatures.

      Honestly I didn't know that but I really had no choice. I mean they were literally living (and I fear breeding) on my deck. They are an animal and everyone on here knows how much I love animals, but I'm inclined to agree with veets who said:

      veets » In PS I think we are just so politically correct in some ways that even the creatures can take advantage of our live and let live attitude.

      They are raccoons for crying out loud. Garbage destroying, kittie eating pests. And a real good roadkill dinner down south.

      Oh, and Obamanut. Raccoons have historically lived in this area for about 100 years before you were born. Nice try though.
    29. veets
      veets

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      brooklynpotter » [quote="VoodooNYC"]Last year I had two GIANT raccoons that were camped out on my deck (and I live on the second floor!). I waited a couple days, but they didn't leave. I finally called my landlord who put me in touch with an exterminator who set humane traps for them. They were both trapped that night (with cat food no less) and the exterminator came and picked them up and released them in a non-residential area. But yeah, they really entertained my two kitties for a couple of days.

      voodoo, i'm sorry to tell you but in NYC any raccoon that is caught has to be euthanized. it's the law. so, what flexi said.

      i wish they weren't so dangerous because they're such beautiful creatures.[/quote]

      Yup they are beautiful creatures in the wild but Brooklyn is not the wild.

      I grew up here and when I lived in mom's house, on the other side of the park, going back to 1960's they were sighted in that backyard .
    30. User has not uploaded an avatar
      filmlover44

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      I don't know about raccoons but I know that if you play a radio around skunks, they will leave. I actually tested this once and it worked.
      Ok, now I'm crazy. Another goal achieved.
    31. User has not uploaded an avatar
      eggcream

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      filmlover44 » I don't know about raccoons but I know that if you play a radio around skunks, they will leave. I actually tested this once and it worked.

      Barry Manilow.
    32. veets
      veets

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      modsquad » [quote="veets"]We looked up and this raccoon was hanging upside down looking in at us through the sliding doors. Dinner must have looked good to him.

      Open at your own risk.

      http://modblog.bmezine.com/wp-content/uploads/200701081408-pix2.jpg/quote

      Yup... That is about how he looked.. only furrier!
    33. veets
      veets

      rocking it
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      eggcream » [quote="filmlover44"]I don't know about raccoons but I know that if you play a radio around skunks, they will leave. I actually tested this once and it worked.

      Barry Manilow.[/quote]

      Well I would certainly leave!
    34. brooklynpotter
      brooklynpotter

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      Joined: May '06
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      voodoo, i wasn't saying this was a bad thing. (i mean, i wish they didn't have to be euthanized. but i also wish i could play with them. neither are possible options). you did what you had to do.
      what would you tell me, if i could hear you speaking?--t.r.
    35. voodoonyc
      voodoonyc

      Mojo Mofo
      Joined: Apr '08
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      brooklynpotter » voodoo, i wasn't saying this was a bad thing. (i mean, i wish they didn't have to be euthanized. but i also wish i could play with them. neither are possible options). you did what you had to do.

      potter, I never want to know that an animal is being euthanized and probably would have tried to find another solution had I known. But these were big fuckers who had taken over my deck. I tried to shoo them away and they laughed at me. And ate every plant on my deck, the better part of my hose and a healthy portion of my table umbrella.
    36. User has not uploaded an avatar
      Anonymous



      Posts: 9,622

      i guess I'm the only one who thinks it's amusing that this thread and the meryl streep thread are right next to each other.

      i'll say it again:

      the dingo ate my bay-bee!

      (no, I'm not drinking)
    37. voodoonyc
      voodoonyc

      Mojo Mofo
      Joined: Apr '08
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      Flexichick » i guess I'm the only one who thinks it's amusing that this thread and the meryl streep thread are right next to each other.

      i'll say it again:

      the dingo ate my bay-bee!

      (no, I'm not drinking)

      What's really embarrassing is that both Mougar and I have admitted that we both own every episode of Buffy which features The Dingo Ate My Baby (a/k/a Seven Mary Three).
    38. User has not uploaded an avatar
      danielle123

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      I live in Carroll Gardens and last Summer for a few weeks we were all on racoon watch. A raccoon broke into 2 - count 'em - 2 apartments, neither of them on the first floor (so, apparently, they climb fire escapes). One of the people took a photo and that thing was HUGE (with lovely camera "red eye" making him even scarier looking)!

      Anyway, I woke up one morning to find that my kitchen screen had been cut (or so I thought) and freaked out thinking I could have been murdered by some nut in my sleep. I called the cops, they came over and we figured out that it was probably a racoon because you could see the shape of the body in the screen as it had tried to squeeze through (probably too fat to squeeze through from eating kitties).

      I'm not sure which was scarier - that a person might have broken in (probably would have just taken my laptop) or a racoon (could have given me rabies).
    39. voodoonyc
      voodoonyc

      Mojo Mofo
      Joined: Apr '08
      Posts: 1,915

      danielle123 » I live in Carroll Gardens and last Summer for a few weeks we were all on racoon watch. A raccoon broke into 2 - count 'em - 2 apartments, neither of them on the first floor (so, apparently, they climb fire escapes). One of the people took a photo and that thing was HUGE (with lovely camera "red eye" making him even scarier looking)!

      Anyway, I woke up one morning to find that my kitchen screen had been cut (or so I thought) and freaked out thinking I could have been murdered by some nut in my sleep. I called the cops, they came over and we figured out that it was probably a racoon because you could see the shape of the body in the screen as it had tried to squeeze through (probably too fat to squeeze through from eating kitties).

      I'm not sure which was scarier - that a person might have broken in (probably would have just taken my laptop) or a racoon (could have given me rabies).

      Those SO could have been my coons! Last summer? Very very likely. I have photos somewhere. Will track down and post.
    40. User has not uploaded an avatar
      Obamanut

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      modsquad » [quote="veets"]We looked up and this raccoon was hanging upside down looking in at us through the sliding doors. Dinner must have looked good to him.

      Open at your own risk.

      http://modblog.bmezine.com/wp-content/uploads/200701081408-pix2.jpg/quote

      That is exactly the kind of stuff I imagine nuevo-Slopers doing in their brownstones, along with S&M dungeons, etc. Seriously.
    41. User has not uploaded an avatar
      SeltzerIsTheBest

      what am I, new?
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      A few years ago a raccoon in our backyard one night did some SERIOUS damage to our dog, a Lab/Chow cross who was taking her nocturnal pee and usually can take care of herself.

      The raccoon latched on and probably would have killed her if an alert neighbor hadn't thrown something from the second story window. All the layers of skin from her chest to belly were ripped open -- if not for emergency vet surgery she probably would have died.

      Moral of the story: a raccoon doesn't have to be rabid to be one tough street fighter.
    42. opossumqueen
      OpossumQueen

      rocking it
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      Thanks to huge efforts like vaccinating our pets, rabies isn't too common in the US these days.

      Most rabid raccoons don't display aggression. They come down out of hiding during the day, which itself is odd, and are really disoriented and kind of look drunk. My experience with aggressive rabid raccoons (this was not in NY, but an area that was having an outbreak of rabies in raccoons and foxes) was scary. The critter actually came charging at me from about 40 feet and was actively trying to attack me (luckily on a bike). A rabid fox in the area had done this to child and actually managed to bite him.

      Maybe the raccoons here are like the squirrels--very used to people and not as easily spooked.

      Just be careful folks. They are wild animals.
    43. brooklynpotter
      brooklynpotter

      ceramme ceramma danna
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      who was it that was talking about a racoon who came in through their back door during dinner and nabbed a chicken off the table? i think that was on the board a few years back.
      what would you tell me, if i could hear you speaking?--t.r.
    44. veets
      veets

      rocking it
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      Obamanut » [quote="modsquad"][quote="veets"]We looked up and this raccoon was hanging upside down looking in at us through the sliding doors. Dinner must have looked good to him.

      Open at your own risk.

      http://modblog.bmezine.com/wp-content/uploads/200701081408-pix2.jpg/quote

      That is exactly the kind of stuff I imagine nuevo-Slopers doing in their brownstones, along with S&M dungeons, etc. Seriously.[/quote]

      Obamanut.. I don't take you "seriously."
    45. User has not uploaded an avatar
      Anonymous



      Posts: 9,622

      I'm wondering why I've lived here 12 years and I don't know anybody who has heard of or been to these dungeons. I'm disappointed in myself (and my friends)
    46. brooklynpotter
      brooklynpotter

      ceramme ceramma danna
      Joined: May '06
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      i've yet to see a raccoon here
      what would you tell me, if i could hear you speaking?--t.r.
    47. User has not uploaded an avatar
      Anonymous



      Posts: 9,622

      brooklynpotter » i've yet to see a raccoon here

      I saw one running down 11th Ave one night last summer. Scared the crap out of me.
    48. brooklynpotter
      brooklynpotter

      ceramme ceramma danna
      Joined: May '06
      Posts: 4,107

      i always see them when i go visit my mom in new jersey. we sit out on the deck and they walk by with their little families
      what would you tell me, if i could hear you speaking?--t.r.
    49. booklaw
      booklaw

      admin
      Joined: Nov '07
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      Flexi, who was running down 11th Ave... you, or the raccoon? Was it wearing a sweatband and an ipod on its arm?

      Sheeit, maybe they're even smarter than I realized!
    50. User has not uploaded an avatar
      dw438

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      Posts: 514

      Was the raccoon named Ralph or was it Norton? Both known to eat a lot.

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