Wildlife Chronicles Of Salem, AL: Enter Barney- The Possum

So I have lived here in Salem, AL since 2007 and I have seen some different critters around the house in my time here.

But Monday night was a first. I made a tactical error and forgot about a trash bag that I left outside with the intention of running it to the dump. Well, I forgot.

Late at night, I heard a rumbling outside my front door. Sounded very strange. So I secured my Glock and went to investigate. I turned the porch light on and listened. The rumbling continued. So I looked out the window but I could not see anything. I cracked the door and there he was.





I had put the trash bag on the chair that I have on the front porch / walkway. A possum, who I immediately named Barney, sat there and looked up at me. He was not startled or afraid. He just looked at me like "damn I'm busted". I looked at him very calmly and said "Really Dude?".

He slowly climbed down and walked a couple feet away and then stopped and turned to look at me. He acted like maybe 'ol boy will go back inside and I can continue to investigate his cool trash bag. I said run along Barney-you are done here. With a sigh he trotted off into the night.



Of course the trash bag was wrecked and stuff was everywhere so I had to clean it up. But I wasn't mad at Barney because after all, it was my fault for leaving out there for him to play with.

I had seen plenty of possums and other critters in Georgia and other states. I have seen snakes, spiders, lizards, scorpions, foxes and other critters around the house. But Henry was the first possum sighting in Alabama. I'm not surprised by it as I know they are in Alabama and a whole bunch of other states.

Not only was he the first but he was sitting in my chair, outside my front door, tearing up my trash. I really thought it would be a cat or a dog as I see strays roaming around frequently. Nope a dang possum.

Oh well,  Barney is officially added to the wildlife list. I wonder if I'll see him again? I know I won't forget my trash next time. He actually was a cute little guy. And he wasn't scared at all and neither was I. It was a very calm and peaceful encounter. Obviously, he has spent time in the neighborhood. Till we meet again Barney- Happy trash pickings!

Eric Dempsey
Master Sergeant, U.S. Army Retired
NASM Certified Personal Trainer & Weight Loss Specialist
Graduate Student In Exercise Science At Cal U.
Dempsey’s Resolution Fitness