A year ago, Bahamas resident Rosie Kemp stumbled upon, of all things, a baby raccoon that had seemingly met its fate by falling out of a tree. Kemp stuck around and waited for the mother to come for her cub, but couldn't find the mother anywhere.
Laura Young, Kemp's daughter, went on to adopt the raccoon. They called the little bandit "Pumpkin."
Pumpkin was feeble due to a broken hind leg. Young fed Pumpkin every couple of hours, looked after her 24/7 and made sure she was warm. Pumpkin soon recovered from her injuries and settled in with Young, her husband and their two rescue dogs.
Here is a photo of baby Pumpkin, who was a month old when she was found.
Young says Pumpkin "instantly bonded" with the family and their dogs, and accompanies them everywhere they go. Pumpkin believes she is a dog as she is able to play with the two Royal Bahamian Potcake rescues.
Kisses. #pumpkintheraccoon #potcake #loveatfirstsight #rescues #bahamas A photo posted by Pumpkin The Raccoon (@pumpkintheraccoon) on Dec 30, 2014 at 5:09am PST
This special bond also happens to be an adorable one.
Oreo and Pumpkin have a special bond. #kisses #toocute #raccoon #rescue #bahamas #potcake #thisislove #bestfriends #oreo A photo posted by Pumpkin The Raccoon (@pumpkintheraccoon) on Dec 31, 2014 at 6:18am PST
She just cannot get enough of her siblings.
Always together! #toocute #toffee #oreo #babyraccoon #pumpkin #rescue #bahamas #bestfriends A photo posted by Pumpkin The Raccoon (@pumpkintheraccoon) on Jan 16, 2015 at 5:37am PST
Pumpkin, as you can see, is one of the dogs.
A photo posted by Pumpkin The Raccoon (@pumpkintheraccoon) on Feb 24, 2015 at 6:09am PST
Pumpkin's everyday life is chronicled in her Instagram account. As of posting, Pumpkin has around 300 posts and more than 60 thousand followers. This just might put Pumpkin in the running for American's most famous raccoon. Either way, it already seems that she has already bagged the "most loved raccoon" category. But that doesn't mean raising a raccoon has been a piece of cake for Young and her family. This little bundle of joy often lives up to her bandit face.
Climbing at its best. #babyraccoon #baby #raccoon #rescue #sosweet #loveher #pumpkin #stuck #trouble A photo posted by Pumpkin The Raccoon (@pumpkintheraccoon) on Jan 23, 2015 at 6:58am PST
Remote down the couch... Classic. #babyraccoon #raccoon #rescue #funny #socute #bahamas #adorable
A photo posted by Pumpkin The Raccoon (@pumpkintheraccoon) on Feb 16, 2015 at 6:37am PST
Coffee... Must. Have. COFFEE! #baby #coffee #trouble #raccoon #babyraccoon #babygirl #rescue #breakfastime #breakfast #sleepy #animalsofinstagram #animalsarethebest #weeklyfluff #funny #love @starbucks @theellenshow #theellenshow A photo posted by Pumpkin The Raccoon (@pumpkintheraccoon) on Jul 21, 2015 at 6:20am PDT
"Raccoons are NOT pets," Young explained. "They are wild animals, so they are quite moody. Unlike dogs and cats, they are not domesticated," Young said.
Raccoons are wild animals and belong in the wild. However, since Pumpkin was not able to have that kind of life, Young and her family are committed to ensuring she receives all that she needs to thrive.
Pumpkin seems happy with her life. Young said Pumpkin loves air conditioning, sunny-side up eggs and watermelon. The 3-year-old raccoon has recently learned to use the toilet.
A photo posted by Pumpkin The Raccoon (@pumpkintheraccoon) on Jun 12, 2015 at 6:05am PDT
Young says that although they feel fortunate to have Pumpkin, they will always do what is best for her.
#pumpkintheraccoon has made a new friend! Thank you for visiting @kitjwhite you and Pumpkin are having a blast! We will miss you Aunty Kit! #repost #baby #babyracccoon #bestfriends #socute #playtime #raccoon #rescue #love #itsbetterinthebahamas A photo posted by Pumpkin The Raccoon (@pumpkintheraccoon) on May 8, 2015 at 6:58am PDT
Check out the articles below for more critter chronicles.
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