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February 9, 2026
The pet I’ll never forget: Mishka, the surly but beloved raccoon
She hated water, attacked our Christmas tree, destroyed our wallpaper – but everyone who met her was won over
TL;DR
- Mishka was adopted as a young raccoon and raised by the author and her husband.
- She had specific dietary needs and later developed diabetes requiring daily insulin injections.
- Mishka was territorial and had a difficult personality, biting and growling, but was also capable of affection.
- She destroyed household items like wallpaper and a Christmas tree and did not like water.
- Mishka did not get along with other raccoons and was eventually kept separate.
- Keeping raccoons as pets became illegal in the UK due to invasive species laws, but existing owners were allowed to keep them.
- Mishka died at age seven, possibly from a brain tumor.
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