Well my raccoon friend stayed for 4 full days - long enough that I started calling him Sam. Funny that I started feeling very protective of him even though he was clearly doing just fine. I kept checking on him just to be sure he was still breathing! The snow would pile up all around him and he would just shake it off once and awhile and turn in a little circle. His window is just above my laundry machines, so sometimes he would watch me while I loaded and unloaded clothes. Finally last night after dinner I noticed he seemed to be becoming more alert, giving himself an extensive preening and spending long minutes with his nose stretched into the air. He must have left in the night, emboldened by the change in the weather. I'm relieved that he's gone, but a little sad too.
-kris