Papercraft Star and Raccoon Recovery

Two great reveals are going on over at Papercraft Star today and I hope you all have a chance to hop on over there to see for yourself.  First today is the Challenge 7 reveal. My BBF and Co-creator of Papercraft Star  Kristina selected this super cute photograph as inspiration for Papercraft Star's Challenge this week.  You've got until this Saturday at Noon (after that the voting begins) to enter your project for a chance to be selected as the People's Choice Award winner for this week. I'm really looking forward to seeing all the projects entered into this challenge right here.   For the next three days we'll also be revealing all of our Design Team creations for this challenge at Papercraft Star so I hope you check it out, they've worked hard to provide you with lots of fun inspiration!

The second reveal is our brand spankin' new Papercraft Star Blog look and we couldn't be happier with the way it turn out.  Kristina hired Jumping Jax Designs  to make our vision for a fun, yet sophisticated look come true and we're excited to hear what you think about our new presence on the web! 

Okay now, before I close I took a photograph yesterday (that I just know is going to find it's way into a layout) that I just had to share.  As some of you know, this is our first year as licensed Raccoon Rehabbers and I've spent the summer raising, loving and worrying about 11 babies that we have gotten ready to return back to the "wild".  We've had joys and sorrows as they have begun the process of release.  The release part is so very difficult (for them as well as us) as they must learn to navigate the dangers of living out in the world on their own without a mother to guide them.  They are all adolescents now however and release it what our goal is despite the fact that we know some will not grow to adulthood.  Sadly we had one of our babies attacked by what we believe was a coyote or large dog. She returned to our Raccoon enclosure (although I have no idea how she made it home)  Though we tried to treat her, her injuries were too severe and it was necessary to put her down.  Yesterday another of our babies died tragically when he was hit in the road about a quarter mile from our home. In between both of these incidents, Bella (the runt from our first litter that is still small for her age) was injured (we suspect she may have been with Bonnie the raccoon that was attacked by the canine).  She returned to the enclosure the day after Bonnie died.  We immediately brought her into the house and began treating what appear to be bite wounds on both feet.  One foot was very swollen and she is, although recovering nicely, still unable to use that foot very much.  Too lame to return back to the enclosure or allow to be out in the "wild" we have been caring for her in the house.  Navigating her and the dogs is interesting to say the least as both cannot be together for obvious reasons (cats and raccoons by the way basically ignore each other).  Never the less, when Bella is out of her recovery cage for exercise she has become my constant companion and I have even provided her with her own chair next to my computer desk.  After playing for an hour or so, I gave her an ear of corn and sat her up in the chair.  A bit later, I noticed she had fallen asleep...  apparently to Bella an ear of corn is not only yummy to munch on... it also makes a great pillow.  

This photograph makes my heart feel happy and yet I feel sad too because I long to keep all of them as safe as she looks sound asleep in the chair.  But I have to remind myself daily that we provide this haven for the raccoons as they grow to adolescents with the express purpose of giving them a chance to be free, a chance they would not have otherwise gotten after their mothers were killed and they were just little things that had to be bottle fed.  I have no idea if Bella will ever recover enough to be returned to the wild but it is my hope that the others that are still navigating the new world for them outside the enclosure will be safe and happy.  

Have a great day!