"You Don't Mess With Coons"

That was some sage advice from a down-home woman from my neck of the woods.

Unfortunately, I knew this and ignored it. Well, maybe not ignored, but bypassed it, and paid the price.

See, I used to have raccoons all over my childhood imprint. I used to raise all the little babies orphaned by human unkindness or road accidents. Raccoons are social animals and the babies will not leave their mama's side, even if she gets hit by a car. And, people trap them to get rid of them in their yards and they often get the parents, but not the babies, who can be found trying desperately to get into the traps, too. Raccoons are like cats and dogs, all mixed up in the same package of fur, with a little dollop of spider monkey for mischievousness. But, as I knew then and certainly know now...they gots teeth, lots of them, and they are quite sharp.

Let's just say, I'm now taking rabies shots. And, one little young raccoon out there has the tip, nail and all, of my left index finger. It's way too graphic to post a photo, but trust me, unless you're a doctor and have a strong stomach, it ain't a pretty sight.

I know the little thing wasn't rabid, and it was just scared and protecting itself, but eight hours in the Florida Hospital and Halifax Medical for the emergency care for the chomp it took off my finger is a real bummer. The bite itself was a shock, as I originally thought it was just a nip. When I looked at my hand and realized my fingertip was gone, I immediately held the finger tight and got rushed off to the nearest ER, where I sat, soaking my finger in antiseptic and saline for about four hours, got a tetnus shot in one arm, and a really massive shot of antibiotic in the rump. Then, transferred over to Halifax Medical for a hand surgeon to take a look and see if any repairs could be done.

Bottom line, after two rabies shots in a series of six and two really painful shots to numb the finger...nothing can be done. Have to let the finger heal as much as it can from within. The raccoon had bitten through the nail bed and taken off the tip of the spongy bone at the top of the finger. It's a nasty, ragged bite, and I've lost a quarter-inch of finger to a scared little beastie.

I've been joking about it, staying calm and and taking it the way it is. It almost feels as though it's not real, until I take off the bandages to clean it and realize the truth.  I'm sure there will be some regeneration of tissue and bone, maybe my nail will even grow a bit. But, it's not going to be normal, that's a given.

I'm thankful it wasn't worse, sincerely hope the finger heals well and have no animosity towards the raccoon population. Life is still good. 

Hey, maybe I'll get a discount on manicures. What do you think?