An Unexpected Encounter: Rescuing a Raccoon in the Ardennes
It was an overcast morning in mid-November when we slowly woke up in our cozy cabin on the mountain at Les Cabanes de Rensiwez, nestled in the Ardennes. The gentle chirping of birds greeted us as we stretched and prepared for the day. Day put on her boots and headed outside to check the small cabinet outside our cabin where our breakfast was delivered. After a hearty meal, we geared up to explore the vibrant autumn landscape. The vibrant autumn colours made for a picturesque setting, making the Ardennes seem like a scene straight out of a painting.
As we set off, Chaxx, our dog, was bursting with excitement, impatiently jumping around.Bud barely five minutes into our walk, we stumbled upon a surprising sight. And our story took an unexpected turn. There, beside a post, was a raccoon. Its small body was huddled in fear, one paw extended and clearly injured. Day and Chaxx stood frozen and wide-eyed in astonishment.
A raccoon here in the Ardennes? How could this be? We had just returned from Florida without spotting a single raccoon, and now, here we were, face to face right before us with this adorable yet injured creature. Day’s wide eyes met mine from beneath her red umbrella, and I could see the concern mirrored in Chaxx’s stance. “We have to help it,” I whispered. Day hesitated, “But Mom, raccoons can bite and carry diseases. They can be dangerous.” Her worry was evident, but leaving the raccoon there was unthinkable.
There was no way I could leave it there. As if sensing our intentions, the raccoon lifted its head and looked at us with big, imploring eyes. I slowly removed my raincoat, cautiously approached, and gently draped my jacket over the raccoon and picked it up. 
It didn’t resist much, perhaps too scared or in too much pain. I carefully bundled it up, as i felt a a warm, wet sensation as it urinated out of fear or pain. Day burst into laughter, breaking the tension. “Mom, it peed on you!” she giggled, but the raccoon’s distress was no laughing matter.
Now, what to do? We were on top of a mountain, a good 15 to 20 minutes walk from the reception at Les Cabanes de Rensiwez, where our car was parked. We decided to head down, carrying our new friend, with Chaxx’s big eyes watching. The raccoon, surprisingly calm, just looked around.So we began our descent down the mountain to the reception at Les Cabanes de Rensiwez, with the raccoon cradled in my arms.
Upon arriving at the busy reception, we sat down at one of the small tables inside. To my surprise, the raccoon remained calm, patiently observing her surroundings.Naturally, the tourists inside wanted to take pictures of this remarkable animal, al rept up in my jacket and with just her sweet face coming out.
Communicating in French whit the receptionist was a bit challenging for me, especially to explain that we needed a vet. It was the weekend, complicating matters further, and finding a nearby vet seemed unlikely. The receptionist, unsure of what to do, offered a box to keep the raccoon temporarily, until her boss will comes and he would decide what to do, bud that could be several hours for he will be there,but that wouldn’t help and will take to long.
Thankfully, the receptionist called a local vet who was currently attending to a calf’s birth and could see us later in the afternoon. With time to spare, we decided to return to our cabin with the raccoon, giving her some food and water.
Halfway up, We were fortunate to encounter the housekeeping staff in their golf cart. With my best attempt at French and some gesturing, they understood our plight and offered us a ride. In return he also wanted a pic from the raccoon. The rough, bumpy ride up the mountain in the cart was an adventure in itself, with Day and Chaxx clinging on and the raccoon surprisingly calm in its makeshift nesting my lap.
Back at our cabin, watching us with her big eyes. Day and I were mesmerised by her beauty and gentle nature. If it weren’t for the practicalities, we would have loved to take her home.
We placed the raccoon on a high shelf, safe from Chaxx’s curious nose.the raccoon settled calmly in her makeshift bed,And It watched us with those same big eyes, I prepared some food for both her and Chaxx, a bit of liver pâté from Chaxx’s supplies did the trick.which she eagerly took the morsel with her tiny hands, savoring every bite. Day, of course, had to share this unexpected guest with her friends via FaceTime, much to their amazement.
After a couple of hours, the phone rang. The local vet was ready to see us. We packed up again and headed back down the mountain to the car, ready for our trip to the vet.The drive to the vet was a challenge, with the crate sitting on the back seat of the car , but with out the lid, the raccoon could get out of it.Despite her injury, the raccoon remained calm in the car. She just sit and looks around. With Chaxx behind her, sniffing and keeping a close eye on her.
We finally arrived at a small village where the vet’s clinic was located. The raccoon, which had been so calm, became visibly anxious in the waiting room, probably the smell of the vet’s waiting room. Bud she reactie good on my
The vet explained that non-native animals like raccoons are strait a way euthanised to protect the local ecosystem. My heart sank, but I pleaded with him to just treat its injuries.We couldn’t bear the thought of ending her life just because she existed here.
So he give her a thorough examination luckily revealed no broken bones, just a bruised and swollen wounded paw. He administered an injection for the pain and infection and warned us again about the protocol for such animals. We promised to release it back into the wild, far from any human habitation.After ensuring she would recover,
So we drove back to Les Cabanes de Rensiwez, and we found a secluded spot near a river deep in the woods. There, beneath a fallen tree, was the perfect place for our raccoon to start her new journey. Gently, we placed it at the base of the tree. It looked back at us, as if to say thank you, before scurrying into the makeshift burrow.
As we walked back to the car, Day and I reflected on our unexpected adventure. It was a day we would never forget, a reminder of the beauty and unpredictability of nature. And while the raccoon may have been out of place in the Ardennes, for a brief moment, it felt like it belonged.
With Love
Day & NIcole
