[dillywho]

When I went to take my garbage to the curb last night, an animal came towards me from under the oak tree. I thought it was probably the resident rabbit that likes to feed on the neighborhood flowers. As it got closer, it looked like maybe a small dog. Nope. It was an opossum. It came up almost close enough to touch. We engaged in a staring contest for a bit. He would occasionally eye the open garage door. I didn't budge but just continued to stare it down. Finally, it turned and left the same way it came and went around the corner of the house. I scurried in and shut the garage door before it could change its mind and return. I Googled to see exactly what critter it was and opossum came up. Australia spells it possum, but North American it's opossum, although the pronunciation is the same. According to what I read, they are actually pretty docile and only get aggressive if cornered. They are also classed as a protected animal and it is illegal to capture or kill them. They are actually beneficial because they like to feast on pests such as roaches, slugs, etc. Works for me.