I am sure that living in Louisiana most of the readers either have or have had some type of animal as the family pet. Well, a lot of people that know me are always asking about the animals I have had. So with that in mind, I thought I would answer some of your questions.

Years ago, someone gave me a baby otter that had been abandoned by its mother. I took it in and raised it from a baby to a full-grown otter. He thought he was part of the family. He would ride in the boat, swim with the kids and play in the yard. He liked being outdoors and stayed in the yard. At 11 p.m., when my shift was over, he would be waiting at the door. When the door would open, he ran inside and would go straight to my oldest daughter’s bedroom to jump in the bed with her. He always slept in her bed.

My second favorite animal and family pet was a Louisiana black bear. I got her when she was a bear cub from a game refuge in north Louisiana. I would keep her for 25 years before she died of cancer. We would also raise an injured raccoon that lived with her for about 12 years. They shared a pen with a sunken tub, a den made of blocks and a rope swing for enjoyment. When the raccoon died, the bear grieved just like a human and did not eat for several weeks. She continued to look for her playmate.

Other animals that have been through my cages are numerous snakes — you can’t really tame a snake — several prairie dogs, raccoons, possums, squirrels, emu, rabbits, baby deer, alligators, nutria, owls, flying squirrels, turtles, snails, several kinds of sheep and goats, an African male lion, a cougar, a groundhog and a llama.

You see, I am also a wildlife rehabilitator for the state, and I get calls all the time from the parish animal control or persons that have contacted them because they have an injured animal, and they don’t know what to do with it.

After the animal gets large enough to make it on it’s on or recovers from its injury, they are turned back out into the wild to run, fly or crawl away. Lots of times they never look back!

Always take care of your pets and call animal control if you find an injured animal. Be careful and don’t pick up animals that have been injured as they may bite you because they are scared or injured. Never let anyone mistreat or tease your pets. They are special family members.

Wayne Norwood is a lieutenant with the St. John thhe Baptist Sheriff’s Department and owner and operator of the Louisiana Treasures Museum.