History of Stanleigh The Raccoon

Here is the story of a unique raccoon named Stanleigh who became a pet to George and Ruth Cloven to see more visit www.stanleighraccoon.com.



Read more about Stanleigh in the article from his website (source)

We knew from an early age that Stanleigh was a unique raccoon. He was a born clown who enjoyed people. When he was nine months old we felt his character would charm children and adults if we could capture his personality with photos. This was the beginning of the Stanleigh era. He loved to perform and large crowds didn’t deter him in the least. Most raccoons are wary of people and any unusual noise frightens them as well it should—often their survival depends on this. Stanleigh thrived on attention and cameras with their flash bulbs were just fine.

You will not find raccoons in zoos as they rarely can tolerate the constant pressure of being on display. Stanleigh was at ease in a gymnasium with five hundred children looking at him while he was in George’s arms. Book signing parties were enthralling to him; he sat on his pedestal and played with toys oblivious to his adoring fans. Life was just one grand ball to Stanleigh; he knew he was a star and he enjoyed that status to the fullest.

Male raccoons are loners, they mate and continue their solitary life. Female raccoons are excellent mothers who protect their young against all danger even if the odds are overwhelming. All raccoons are comfortable living alongside humans as a way of survival, however, their trust is limited as well it should be.

Pages and pages could be written about the intelligence of raccoons. They are not rodents, they are not pests, they are highly intelligent creatures who have learned to survive against terrible odds. Their memory is uncanny and we can testify to all of these statements as they have been an integral part of our lives.

Stanleigh was probably one in a thousand as he enjoyed complete interaction with people of all ages and other animals (he never met a dog he didn’t like).

He enjoyed J.R. on a nightly basis and would sit for an entire evening watching certain programs. He liked family shows and some comedies but if violent scenes appeared he left the room. He also enjoyed classical music; rock and roll disturbed him. He was a dearly beloved and interesting little creature who brought untold joy to our lives and to all who knew him.

George and Ruth Cloven