The "Trap and Release" Story

It was an ordinary day. Crawled out from under the covers and looked out the back window. Something wasn't the same as last night when I went to bed. Then I realized that my animal trap had been sprung. I have been setting it for the last few weeks to try to catch the possum, the raccoon and the family of skunks that seem to enjoy visiting with us on a regular basis. One night last week as we watched TV directly inside the back door in our family room, we heard some rather loud noises on the rear deck. Turned toward the door and there was the raccoon looking at the TV screen. Sitting on its rear legs staring in the back door. Grabbed the camera and snapped a few shots before it took off. Photos were just OK, since I had to shoot through the screen and it kinda distorted the photos. Well, this morning I brushed the teeth, showered, shaved and after getting dressed headed downstairs to find out what might be in the trap. The last couple of times that it was sprung, nothing was in it. Either the varmints are getting good at reaching through the side of it and springing it, or I'm just not setting it correctly. As I started up the steps on the rear of the deck I saw the tree next to the trap moving. Something was grabbing at the tree through the trap. Finally I got something, I thought to myself. Then I saw a little nose sticking out from under the trap door. It almost didn't close and there was about a quarter inch of open space. It was at this time I realized I had a skunk. Now what do I do. I have a yearly urologists appointment in an hour and can't be late. Went in the garage and found a blanket and carefully placed it over the cage. Was hoping the entire time that I wouldn't get on the wrong end of the critter and feel the spray. Yelled up the steps to Carol that I was going to wait until after I went to the doctors to find a place for the skunk. I sat in front of the TV for maybe 5 minutes and changed my mind. I can't leave that animal in a cage with a blanket over it for another couple of hours so I backed the car out of the garage, turned it toward the street and opened the trunk. Didn't want to chance having the inside of my garage sprayed. Carefully lifted the covered trap and placed it in the trunk, closing the trunk ever so carefully. Headed out the drive and north on the Fruitville Pike, the main street that runs parallel with my street. After driving a few miles I picked a spot along a country road for the release. Took a photo of the trap in my car and had plans to take a photo of the release, but plans sometimes go sour as you know. Opened the end of the trap and waited with the camera for the skunk to take off. Nothing. Lifted the rear end of the trap about a foot to hopefully give it a push. Nothing. Then I turned around and looked in the trunk. Could it have gotten out? Nothing. OK, I not going to miss my appointment so I just about dumped it out of the trap. Now it hustled out and under the closest shrub as I was turning on my camera. Oh well. I guess I could have been taking a photo of my wet clothes after it had sprayed me. Now I need to re-set the trap for another round again tonight. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - raccoon in the top photo has it's tongue out like it is laughing at something on TV. Bottom pix shows the covered trap in the trunk of the car.