Ra'mona Marie ... Psychic  Intuitive         Life Coach - Advanced Certified Hypnotist

Sounds like kismet to me.  But Ra'mona claims her husband is responsible!    It is springtime-1996

This story happened while they were living in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. But this could happen to anyone anywhere! David walks daily with friends, early in the mornings on Passion Play Road.

Today the guys find a dead possum on the road and was pushing the dead carcass off the road. When out pops a growling tiny white hairless body. Seems the mother of this youngster had become yet another overnight road-kill. And all his brothers and sisters were also dead. Humm... now what to do!

The three guys debate just what to do with this tiny body who looks so cold...  it is close to death.

They all decide to take the baby to Ra'mona. They had already made a trip that morning to the local donut shop and still had the empty white donut bag, not wanting to litter. So they push the baby in the bag with a stick and place some leaves on him to try and keep it warmer.

David gets home and hands the bag to Ra'mona, although this time no donuts. David says to Ra'mona can you feed him honey!  Curious now... looking into the donut bag Ra'mona finds the now somewhat lifeless cold little body , and picks it up in her palm. The little creature is so cold she worries! David names the little baby Bull, thinking it impossible that the little creature will even live. Asking David if the little possum was dead, he expains the mornings events. She realizes it is very near death, if not already.

So, the first thing in order is getting the tiny creature warm,  Ra'mona places the baby which is still in her palm in warm water in the kitchen sink to bring up the body temperature.  Making sure to keep it's little nose above the water.  Now quite alive and squirmy she gives it some regular milk, as something at that point is better than nothing. Then went to find a proper dog milk substitute and a very little baby bottle to feed their new little orphan. 

At first he was kept in a bird cage except for feeding times, their attempting to not bond him to humans. But within a few days it is apparent to Ra'mona the baby possum is not faring well in life. Ra'mona asks herself, what am I not doing his real mommy would've done.

Her conclusion.... packing the little guy around in her belly pouch. So into Ra'mona's pocket goes the little tiny Bull. For whatever reasons in life she has become the tiny creatures mommy. Apparently the movement and activity is important in activating body circulation for possum babies. Within days he is faring much better, more active and eating more.

No one has told Ra'mona  just how long she will have to pack around or feed this little guy! Bull is bottle fed several times a day for about three months!

So, Bull is now taken outside twice daily to hunt for worms and other assorted bugs.  Bull has also become very fond of grapes,  but Bull makes it his practice to discard the peels in disgust! His newest delight in the culinary field... is of all things pizza! One sniff of pizza and Bull magically appears whee ever there is pizza! And his newest culinary find the kitties food bowl.

A nocturnal creature by nature, o'possums don't have very good eyesight in the daytime. Bull prefers to sleep during the day, though he is generally gracious when shaken awake for show and tell.  Left to his own devices Bull is content to stay sound sleep in a pocket for several hours at a time. At least until he no longer fit into any of Ra'mona's pockets! That feat now having taken over  six months!

So now...  better yet, cozy in his bed which he has claimed as his domain.

A suitcase inside... another suitcase... under their bed. Oh My!

They are very happy that O'possums can be litter trained just as a cat. Smelling quite gamy, Bull is  bathed daily in order to rate rides in anyone's pocket. How does one give a possum a bath... strange but easy...  Ra'mona figures it out and places him inside a small birdcage and sets him in the shower. Much to his dismay!

Although Bull is certainly not fond of his bathtime, he is obliging. And he is at least the cleanest O'possum in Eureka Springs!

Bull does not tend to bite, except for occasionally thinking a toe is a grape! Not biting hard, even then. Their two kitties give him respect and wide berth, he is now top kitty in their house!

Bull  has become a favorite with some of Eureka Springs teen population as Ra'mona has gone for walks with him in her pocket. Bull knows his name and comes to Ra'mona when she calls to him.

Bull's future is uncertain , David and Ra'mona would like to keep him... but think it might be better for all concerned to attempt to return him to nature, roaming adventures, and his natural heritage. 

But they are not sure if  he will adapt well from his life of luxury to finding his own worms! 

Time will tell what happens to Bull .  He sure has the life of riley now and that's no BULL!

Both David and Ra'mona believe it is important that we nurture our world and all that it possesses.

That includes the animal life abundant around us.

It is due to mankind that many animal species are now in an endangered status. This may not be true of this particular species...  but some of us...  have to do...  what we can... where we can... to help other species of life exist on our planet!

David says we are all stewards of this planet, and therefore responsible for all of it's inhabitants.  They are both happy to see environment programs taking lead across the world to protect our vast world, to protect it's beauty and it's many species of life.

Above article:- Published in the Eureka Springs Citizen newspaper. Plus in the National O'Possum News Quarterly.

Bull   UPDATE

Bull is 8 months old now. Bull has taken to waking up the entire household at night, knocking things over roaming around at night. Ra'mona has begun to put Bull out at night to roam around at will. Maybe now he can find his own worms. So dusk time in the evening - out he goes!

At the first sign of dawn Bull is waiting at the front door wanting back inside to get into his cozy suitcase bed.  After a few weeks Bull began to stay out for several nights at a time until recently he hadn't come home in about two weeks.  Ra'mona just like a good mother was concerned of his welfare and went to find him outside in the wee hours of the morning calling to him Bull, mommie's got grapes.

Bull did come to her voice, but was illusive for the first time ever... circling about her... but not coming near her.

Ra'mona then sights a second smaller version of Bull beckoning to him further away in the dark.  Then apparently his new friend ran away with Bull close in tow behind.  Ra'mona figures that this little girlie possum has taught Bull more about being a possum than she ever could have and is very happy for Bull. 

Both David and Ra'mona still miss the little baby O'possum who came into their life.

David bet Ra'mona $50 dollars Bull would be back within six months eating pizza in her lap.

Ra'mona said no Bull is gone, he has found a mate! No need for competition, hands down, Ra'mona wins the bet! Bull is now a real O'Possum!

So the next time you see an O'possum crossing the road in front of you be cautious not to hit him with your car.  It may be baby Bull  all grown up looking for more grapes!

Bull   UPDATE

One Year Later:  David and I both have recently had the same odd experience... at different times of day... both times it happened we were in the kitchen... we got the funniest feeling Bull was outside.

All doors - windows - blinds were closed both times. Neither of us heard any sound or noise at all.

But when going to the door to peer outside...guess who.  It was Bull our favorite possum!

When David went to check, Bull was in a tree he used to climb just outside our back door... he was sitting in his favorite spot in the tree as always... just sitting there... maybe remembering - missing us. Or remembering the kitty food bowl!

My incident...

I was doing dishes and I just felt him - his presence. Again no sound or noise at all. I went to look outside and Bull was up on the porch near the back door roaming around. Undoubtedly looking for the kitty food treats I used to give him there as a baby. I go out to see him and give him kitty treats.

Possums love dry kitty food or dog food. Now knowing he still comes by, I throw out kitty treats.

Summer of 1999 - Saw Bull twice this summer at dusk scurrying across our back yard area. It was fun seeing him. Guess it could be another possum, but I really feel it was indeed our baby Bull. He is still checking out his home turf and looking for those kitty treats. Not so little now, but still a gentle spirit! And not so clean, yuck!

He never comes up close to me anymore, but that is probably best! But he does pause and looks at me for a few moments, almost as if he was debating if he should come closer to me or not.

We all like to go hence from where we came, and check things out from time to time.

Winter of 2000 - We are moving to North Florida.

Hope other people in the world reach out to tiny little creatures such as our little Bull.

Life is hard in the fast-lane for smaller creatures than we. They need our help!

If you see Bull at your back door, he wants kitty food! Please feed him!

Maybe others living in Eureka Springs will throw out grapes and kitty treats for our little Bull.  

©ra'mona marie 2002