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7 Heartwarming Pictures of Orphaned Raccoon and Her Adoptive Dog Family

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Three hounds and a raccoon on a bed.

Thanks to a pair of dogs, a raccoon named Pumpkin is getting a second chance at life.

The raccoon was rescued when she was just one month old.  She tumbled out of a tree, causing her to break her leg. When her mother didn’t return, Laura Young’s parents brought the baby into their home.

“We do not have wildlife rehabilitation centers here in the Bahamas, so with the guidance from friends that have had experience with raccoons, we raised her,” says Young.

Now at the age of eight months old, Pumpkin is living with Young, her husband William and her two adoptive moms: a pair of hound mixes named Toffee and Oreo.

“Pumpkin adores our dogs and thinks of them as her ‘mummys.’ She has formed an incredible bond with both of them and each of their relationship is very different,” says Young. “Oreo is more of the disciplinarian, and Pumpkin is always cuddled up next to her. Toffee is more of the fun one, and they are usually running around together.”

But it definitely isn’t all fun and games. Young tells us that she was surprised about how smart raccoons actually were (Pumpkin knows how to use the toilet), and she is constantly keeping an eye on her to ensure she doesn’t get in trouble. One thing Young isn’t worried about are how the dogs and her interact, as the pups basically raised her.

Related: Therapy Dog and Rat Have Quite the Special Friendship

“It is a truly amazing bond and we are so happy to have Pumpkin apart of our family! The three girls go everywhere together and if the dogs are ever away from the house Pumpkin gets lonely, and the moment they are back together she pounces on them and gives them loads of licks and play bites! It’s very cute,” she says.

But this doesn’t mean you should go out and get a raccoon. Young warns that this situation isn’t normal and does not condone having a raccoon as a pet. “If people want to interact with raccoon they could perhaps volunteer at a local animal shelter,” she says.

Here are a few of our favorite pictures of Pumpkin, Oreo and Toffee.

1.

Pure love. Image via Instagram.

Pure love. Image via Instagram.

2.

Oreo and Pumpkin just chilling. Image via Instagram.

Oreo and Pumpkin just chilling. Image via Instagram.

3.

Toffee and Pumpkin cuddling. Image via Instagram.

Toffee and Pumpkin cuddling. Image via Instagram.

4.

Pumpkin and Oreo enamored with each other. Image via Instagram.

Pumpkin and Oreo enamored with each other. Image via Instagram.

5.

The family. Image via Instagram.

The family. Image via Instagram.

6.

Watching over each other. Image via Instagram.

Watching over each other. Image via Instagram.

7.

Sweet kisses. Image via Instagram.

Sweet kisses from Oreo. Image via Instagram.

To see more adorable pictures, follow the family on Instagram at Pumpkin the Raccoon. 

By Andrea Huspeni

Andrea Huspeni is the founder and CEO of This Dog's Life. Her mission it to help dogs live a happier, healthier and longer life. When she isn't working, she spends time with her two dogs, Lola and Milo. She resides in Brooklyn, NY.

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