Joshua's Joys~ The story of Rocky Raccoon

When Joshua was a teenager, he was out cutting firewood with his family and a friend.  In a hollowed out log were seven or eight baby raccoons; maybe two days old. Joshua's friend reached in and grabbed one. As Joshua yelled out, 'Don't do that!' knowing that once the scent of a human was on the raccoon, the mother would not accept it back. They left for the day.

As they came back the next morning, it seemed as though all of the raccoons had been taken to a new place by the mother, which was a relief to Joshua who is a pure animal lover. He heard a chirping noise. Instinctively knowing it was that baby raccoon. He looked around. And embedded in leaves, was the raccoon left behind. Not even having it's eyes open yet. Joshua had already decided to take the raccoon home.

As work had to be done for the day, they could not just leave and tend to the raccoon. So Joshua made a little bed for it in the truck.  Every hour or so, soaking an earplug with water, so that the raccoon could drink. And as he named it Rocky, Rocky would nibble and suckle on the earplug. He raised that raccoon from just a few days old. It lived with his teeny beagle, Sparky, out in a very large shed that was converted into a home just for those two. At night time, they would put him in a small cage, but during the day, Rocky and Sparky were free to roam the 1 acre lot of property. Rocky was lovely. Joshua would chase him around the yard and Rocky would run sideways almost as if taunting Joshua. The cutest thing however was that Rocky had learned how to bark by mimicking Joshua's dog, Sparky.  The best impression that Joshua has ever heard.  (Joshua often states that Rocky could do the best Christopher Walken impersonation.)

Rocky was very intelligent. He loved to climb up on people's heads.  His favorite two treats were popcorn and red licorice. Though he had OCD, as all raccoons do. He had to have two different bowls of water. One to drink out of, and because of the OCD, every time Rocky would take a bite of food, he would have to wash his hands and we mean EVERY time.  Dipping them in water and rubbing them together and repeating.  And yes, raccoons do have opposable thumbs.  Many a time, Sparky, Joshua's cat Spook, and Rocky would all lie together with Joshua on his bed at nighttime.

 Having many pets over the years, dogs, cats, a snow owl, a bird that would talk and play cards, and loved to make fun of people, and even a porcupine. Rocky was an amazing gift from God. Joshua would walk around town with Rocky, not on a leash, just walking next to him as he would go into random stores and everybody loved to see his raccoon.



One day, Rocky had gotten out of his cage.  A neighbor had caught him in a live trap.  Rocky had went wild. Most likely having hunted and once doing so, that had brought out Rocky's original nature. Joshua and his father decided it was best to take him out to the wild.  At this time his father had owned 43 plus acres of wooded area. Having a cabin they had built together. They took Rocky out to the woods, pulled up to the cabin, let Rocky go.  He ran about 20 yards, ran up a tree, and looked back at Joshua for about 10 seconds.  Ran back down the tree and ran into the wilderness. As Joshua's heart was saddened, this momentary glimpse into the eyes of his beloved pet healed his heart. Playing itself out just like a movie.

Several times throughout the latter years Joshua had encountered Rocky. And was even able to hold and pet him again. One of the joys of his life.  Our team is searching for the pictures of Rocky to give an idea of how wonderful, and what a sense of humor this special raccoon had.  As years have went by, it is most likely that Rocky has passed. But never in the heart of Joshua.

Joshua is an old school man's man. What many would call a horse of a man. But these anecdotes are a glimpse into his heart. Even through his tremendous illness, throughout so many years, he has been able to keep that balance of being strong and convicted, but living his life with and for love.  A man of his word, living honestly with dignity and integrity. We all have hardships, and wonderful experiences. That's what this page is all about. We all have a story. We believe here, on the GSET Team, that sharing your story not only gives you a platform and forum to be heard, but allows you to find balance through your voice; giving you true freedom and discernment through, by, and of the Spirit.