Toy Introductions Day 18: Ricky Raccoon

Tallulah’s Turn . . .

This is Ricky Raccoon. Ricky is just a good dependable toy. He’s fun to play with. His squeakers all work. He’s been around for a while and survived a lot of tug-of-war sessions. And, most importantly, I think our eyes and noses look a lot alike.

Here are a few fun facts about raccoons:

• Raccoons are not in the rodent family. We’re done with that rodent awareness foolishness.
• The largest raccoon ever recorded weighed 63 pounds. Think about it. That’s the size of a Golden Retriever. Imagine walking outside and finding that trying to get into your trashcan.
• Raccoons can run as fast as 15 miles per hour on the ground and up and down trees. Well, maybe not that 63-pound fella, but the more svelte members of the species.
• Raccoons can make over 50 different noises. They hiss, purr, and growl. Baby raccoons crying for their mothers sound similar to human babies crying. Unlike most raccoons, Ricky only squeaks. That’s probably a good thing, because who wants a toy that growls?
• U.S. President Calvin Coolidge had a pet raccoon named Rebecca. Rebecca was from Mississippi (like me). She was sent to the White House in 1926 to be served as part of the Thanksgiving feast. Coolidge spared Rebecca’s life. Before long, she had an embroidered collar and free range of the White House. Don’t tell Ricky about that. He’ll definitely be jealous.