In the early 2000s, a chance encounter on an online marketplace led to an unlikely addition to a Florida couple's family - a mischievous raccoon named Mishka. The eight-week-old orphan had been left for adoption and was initially met with skepticism by the pair, but their experience with a raccoon in the past sparked an interest that would change their lives forever.
Mishka quickly settled into her new home, thriving on a diet of kitten milk, dog kibble, chicken sticks, and berries. However, as she grew, so did her health issues - a diagnosis of diabetes required daily insulin injections, which Mishka eventually adapted to but not before causing some initial distress for her owners.
Her enclosure was a haven, where she'd spend hours lounging in a hammock, but it was when she escaped and joined forces with the couple's chorkies, Kennedy and Elf, that her true personality shone through. Her love for humans was matched only by her disdain for water, requiring creative cleaning solutions to keep her tidy.
Mishka's antics often raised eyebrows - like the time she managed to strip the wallpaper off entire walls in a single session with her canine companion - cementing her reputation as a force to be reckoned with. Her owners' friends and family might have thought them eccentric for keeping a raccoon, but those who met Mishka soon became devoted fans.
As laws changed to prohibit the ownership of raccoons as pets in the UK, Mishka's owners were left to care for her until the end of her life, when a brain tumour likely took its toll. Despite her passing at just seven years old, the impact of this unforgettable raccoon on those around her remains indelible.
Mishka quickly settled into her new home, thriving on a diet of kitten milk, dog kibble, chicken sticks, and berries. However, as she grew, so did her health issues - a diagnosis of diabetes required daily insulin injections, which Mishka eventually adapted to but not before causing some initial distress for her owners.
Her enclosure was a haven, where she'd spend hours lounging in a hammock, but it was when she escaped and joined forces with the couple's chorkies, Kennedy and Elf, that her true personality shone through. Her love for humans was matched only by her disdain for water, requiring creative cleaning solutions to keep her tidy.
Mishka's antics often raised eyebrows - like the time she managed to strip the wallpaper off entire walls in a single session with her canine companion - cementing her reputation as a force to be reckoned with. Her owners' friends and family might have thought them eccentric for keeping a raccoon, but those who met Mishka soon became devoted fans.
As laws changed to prohibit the ownership of raccoons as pets in the UK, Mishka's owners were left to care for her until the end of her life, when a brain tumour likely took its toll. Despite her passing at just seven years old, the impact of this unforgettable raccoon on those around her remains indelible.
. I can see why they're so lovable and entertaining, but also super high maintenance. I mean, diabetes and all? That's like, a whole 'nother level of responsibility 
. And don't even get me started on the wallpaper situation 
. I can see why they're like, devoted fans or whatever 
. The thing that really gets me is how fast she grew up and got sick... 7 years old, man? That's like, totally too young 
. Anyways, Mishka might be gone, but her legacy lives on in the hearts of those who loved her 
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and that wallpaper incident?
i can just imagine the cleaning solution situation getting creative! 
anyway it's clear how much Mishka meant to her owners & it's a beautiful story about love & devotion 
I'm still surprised they got away with keeping Mishka as their pet. 8-week-old orphan to a lifelong companion? That's dedication. I guess you could say she stole their hearts, but not before rearranging their house in the process 
. Not everyone would have put up with her stubbornness and insulin requirements, so kudos to those owners for taking on the challenge.
I mean, can you believe how much love and dedication Mishka got from her owners? It's wild to think about how a chance encounter on an online marketplace led to this crazy, adorable story! 
The way Mishka's personality shone through, especially when she bonded with the chorkies, is just too cute for words. And despite the challenges she faced, including diabetes, her owners clearly gave it their all to make sure she was happy and healthy. It's a beautiful reminder of the impact we can have on each other's lives... even if that life happens to be in a furry little raccoon! 
. The part about her stripping the wallpaper off entire walls is just too much lol what a wild raccoon! Anyway, its crazy how she brought so many people into her life and created such special memories. RIP Mishka 
it's crazy how one little encounter can change your life, right? Like, what even draws you to a raccoon in the first place? But then, there she was - thriving in this Florida couple's home, causing all sorts of mischief and mayhem. And I gotta say, her adaptability with that diabetes diagnosis is pretty inspiring... it's like our bodies can surprise us at any given moment.
It's wild to think about how many animals are being taken in and given a second chance at life! 
It's insane how many more animals were being taken in during that time. Maybe there's a correlation between that and people becoming more open to non-traditional pets? 
Anyway, Mishka may be gone, but her legacy lives on - who knows, maybe she'll inspire the next big animal adoption trend! 
The bond between Mishka and Kennedy and Elf is truly heartwarming, and I'm so grateful we got to see this special story unfold. As the laws changed in the UK, it's clear that owning exotic pets like raccoons comes with a lot of responsibility – but also some amazing rewards 
daily insulin shots can't be easy on her (or anyone for that matter) 
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. I mean, having a raccoon as a pet is wild, but Mishka's antics took it to a whole new level! I'm glad she found a loving home with that Florida couple – all those years of insulin shots and creative cleaning solutions must've been a handful 
! But, on the flip side, if I think about it, having a raccoon as a pet can be super interesting and fun... unless you're allergic or something 
. And, come to think of it, Mishka's owners clearly did their research and were prepared for her special needs, so maybe that's not a bad thing after all? 
But still, can't imagine having to deal with some furry little thief like Mishka stripping wallpaper in my house... that would drive me crazy 
she was literally adopted by a florida couple & became part of their fam but then had to deal w/ diabetes & daily insulin injections 
meanwhile she's living her best life, loving humans & hating water lol . i mean, who needs wallpaper anyway? 
