The Possum, Labradors the oblivious backyard saga in Misc. Thoughts opinions, the whole trash can.

It's a dull early May 1998 morning, in Southlake, TX. It's mid week, I am off, on my three days. The clouds are trying to break, but there is rain later on in the afternoon, and a possibility of some getting severe. The kids are off to school, the wife off to work. Just me and the Labs this morning. I have to do the daily pool chores, and get the samples and adjust as needed. I'm cleaning up the dishes and loading up the dishwasher. I'll make a run to the market later, I don't know what I 'm thinking for making for dinner. Grill?, cook inside dunno, something will strike me. The boys would like Chicken Fried Steak, me too, with the cream gravy made from the leftover Buttermilk soak. Ahh, Artery clogging, Cholesterol producing, red meat, good sliced up fried sliced potatoes and onions, what's not to like? That won't happen, my wife hates CFS, and I'll make it when she has a business dinner or is out of town. Check the wine and Shiner Bock supply.

I can see the pool and most of the backyard, from the kitchen, the clouds are still stirring around. It wants to clear, but it's a battle. Better get the pool taken care of before it changes. It's about 0830 am, I get my "two helpers", to aid me ( laughing) as I open the back door. I have the pool test kit, and the drops to test the levels. Of course, the Yellow jumps in, the Chocolate, he's heading elsewhere. I notice something, in the southeast corner of the yard. There is a ten foot high brick wall that divides, the back of three homes and Continental Avenue.

Also there is an big Electrical Junction box in the yard, it is fenced in, but TXU calls before they come in. I have a neighbor, the one who gave us Bear, can watch the dogs, either put them in, or take them to their house, if we're both at work. I'll check on that object, after I test the pool. It was windy last night, there is construction all around. It is probably, paper from lumber stacks or insulation. I'll pick it up, and head for the store. I'll leave the two goofballs outside. I have an hour or so away. If it rains, we'll they are Labradors, plus the Yellow is soaked anyway from being in the pool. The pool is his second home.

I walk to the unknown object. Nope, as I draw closer, its not paper or plastic construction wrapping. No it isn't...It is a Possum, and not a small one either, looks to be the size of a small / medium sized dog, maybe 30 pounds. Our guest is dazed and disoriented, and hissing. The muzzle, exposes small sharp looking teeth. Okay, this is my first encounter with a Possum of any size. What do I know about Possums? Hmmm, they are marsupials, nocturnal, and there is a Bluegrass song "Possum gravy on Grandma's beard" ( yeah there is it's a fiddle tune).

My helpers are still in DUHHH land. They haven't a clue, they haven't picked up the scent yet. The Yellow is standing over Bear, who is chewing on a bone. Like children, there is another bone, same size, but Cooper wants "THAT!!" one. I get a dog towel from the house, dry him off, and call them into the house. I wait a half hour, maybe the possum will leave the yard, not!!. He can't he's blinded, and there is 10 foot of brick and or wood fencing all around.

Okay, I'll call Southlake Animal Control, lol, I look in the phone book, there is no listing. Okay I am not stupid, I see Animal Control for Grapevine, TX, but that's the next town over. I hate to do it, but I call the Non Emergency line for Southlake Police. The dispatcher answers. I tell her, "This is not an emergency, but I can't find Animal Control in the phone book. I have a Possum in the yard, that's too big for me to deal with, and I need help to move him out of the backyard". She replied, "We contract with Grapevine, I'll dispatch an officer to your home". "Please don't waste an Officers time, needed elsewhere for a stupid Possum. Call Grapevine and I'll wait for them". She said, "I understand sir, but the officer has to verify, that this is needed". "Okay, I'll have the gate open and look for the Officer".

The Officer arrives, and I show him the Possum. "Damn that's a big S.O.B.!!, I'll radio it in". He calls his dispatch, and is told Grapevine, is busy on a call, they will be here in 15 minutes. I tell the Officer, that if needed elsewhere, I'll wait for the Animal Control. He told be its pretty dull today and its breaking up the monotony.

Grapevine Animal Control shows up. A nice young guy, maybe in his mid thirties. He has a large animal carrier in his hand. He acknowledges us both, and says "Oh there is our problem, yeah he is big". The Possum knows someone is near, and hissing. The Animal Control guy, taps him on the butt, and distracts the Possum. In a 10 second move, the carrier, is on end, door open, grabbed by the tail and gently lowered into the carrier. The door is shut, and the carrier leveled.

The Police office, says "Okay, I'm outta here". I thank him, and talk to the Grapevine Animal Control man. I say, "It is none of my business, but what are you going to do with him?" "Oh ... I have 5 more of his relatives in the truck right now. "I'll take them, right now to Grapevine reservoir, and set them free". "Really, how'd he get here?" "Well they do roam, and he got too far away, the sun came up, and although cloudy, he was blinded. He would have nested in a tree, but was on the brick fence line, lost balance due to being blinded, and fell into the yard". The guest leaves and heads back home.

So much for the Labradors, I let them back out. It get the Where ya been, how come we couldn't come outside, we're abused dog look. Gotta love 'em. If you're lab owner ya know what I mean.