Something is living under my deck!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

No, this is not like the crazy time I thought I had a mouse. This is for real. It seems creatures love to live under my deck. Last summer I had a skunk,, twice. Once in the front and once in the back. I thought I had effectively dealt with it. Well it looks like there is something new calling my back deck a home. It is not likely a skunk because it would have sprayed by now... just like the other two last summer. My friend saw it slip under the deck the other day. She said it looked brown and was too big to be a squirrel and it was daytime so not likely a racoon. I'm thinking it's a cat, although I suppose it could also be Laurie's Stewpid come back from the dead.

The doodles are loosing their minds. They know when he/she's here and whine and wimper to go out. When I let them out they chase it around from the top of the deck, trying to squeeze their big noses between the cracks. Sophie is pacing, and jumps up on the couch to try and see out the window.

I figure if I wait for it to go away it might stay for a long time tormenting the doodles, or worse, it could die under there, which would be awful all around. The animal trappers who I called about the skunk quoted me $1400! (they would have put in fencing underground around the deck). This is not an option for me but I'm starting to think I need to start saving my pennies. I'm home tomorrow (having my new doggie shower installed!) so I will deal with this tomorrow if possible. I'll probably do what I did for the skunk - pull up a couple deck boards and pour vinegar and put out a bright spot light, anything to make it less hospitable. I just hope it's a cat (and no kittens please!), as it might be easier to lure out of there...

Stay tuned...

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

 I'm no expert but I can't imagine there isn't a cheaper/easier to way to fix this than spending $1400...

[F, Calla & Luca]

Woodchucks love to live under things too. Good luck : )