Porch Pals: 82-Year-Old Man Befriends a Raccoon — And It’s Kinda Adorable

In Woodbury, Connecticut, an unexpected friendship has blossomed between an 82‑year‑old man and a wild raccoon that visits his porch – and now it's become a nightly ritual, according to WFSB.

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Over the past year, Dick Clark (not that Dick Clark) has been greeted nightly by a curious raccoon who confidently approaches him as he enjoys evenings outdoors. Now they’ve got a nightly routine going. Clark even gets a phone alert when she arrives; he calls it his “raccoon reminder.” "Sometimes she brings the kids, five baby raccoons, and let me tell you, it’s the cutest gang of porch pirates you’ve ever seen." 

82-Year-Old Man Forms Unlikely Friendship with Porch-Visiting Raccoon

Clark’s even been dubbed the “raccoon whisperer.” He says it gives him purpose, joy, and a little excitement in the evening. Wildlife experts might raise an eyebrow, but Clark’s got it covered. “I wash my hands, I watch her behavior, and I don’t let her bring friends without a reservation.”

For Clark, this nightly animal companionship has become a quiet, meaningful hobby. He values the emotional lift it offers and the calm moments they share. And though it’s a once‑in‑a‑lifetime relationship, he savors every visit.

READ MORE: Greater-Danbury Shares Which Animals They Could Beat in a Fight!

He feeds her grapes and marshmallows, wearing a glove like a gentleman. No handouts without hygiene! And hey — in a world full of chaos, maybe a man and a raccoon just chillin’ on a porch is precisely the kind of peace we need.