Connecticut Man Builds Unbelievable Bond With Raccoon



Dick Clark has lived on nearly three acres of land that lines a land trust for years. He has always enjoyed the nature that surrounds him, and especially enjoys feeding the birds. Last year, something unexpected happened. The 82-year-old was sitting outside on his patio in a lounge chair, when a raccoon came up to him. “He looked at me, didn’t run, didn’t do anything,” said Clark. He was shocked at the animal’s ability to get that close to him. From then on, the raccoon would visit every night over the next month. Clark says he doesn’t know if the raccoon felt comfortable with him, but the next time she came back, she had her five babies in tow. Before long, Clark started leaving grapes and marshmallows out for the raccoon mama and babies. When fall rolled around, the raccoons headed for the woods for their deep sleep. Clark wondered if they would return in the spring, and to his surprise one did. One of the female babies returned and went right up to him. “After two or three weeks, then she got up in my lap, but I didn’t want her to get any closer because she’s still a wild animal,” explained Clark. The raccoon now visits him every evening between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. Clark has a motion-sensor security camera, so when he gets an alert that she's out there, he makes his way to his chair to spend some time with her. Realizing she’s still a wild animal, Clark said he's always on the look out for a change in her behavior, and he monitors her well-maintained fur, and makes sure to wash his hands frequently. Clark also uses a glove on his right hand when he gives the raccoon grapes and marshmallows. “I don’t need to use the glove, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.”