Angie, Alexandra started working at the Louisiana Nature Center ( part of Audubon Institute ), when she was in sixth grade, one of the reasons she decided to quit Girl Scouting was she was promoted to Animal Care and didn't have the time for both activities. When we left LA for Katrina she had been working Saturdays caring for and handling many of the animals there including baby alligators. Unfortunately, she went over to River Legacy and they don't seem to have any interest in her. She has pretty much known what she wanted to do since she was around 8 or 9. I have two other daughters 15 and 11, neither is interested in nature. 15 y.o. loves acting/drama and the 11 y.o. is into all sorts of stuff, she will go swimming, do yard work, paint play softball pretty much anything active, she likes to help me build things. Both of them were also in Girl Scouts, but neither one wants to anymore. I was hoping they would so I could get involved, but I don't have enough free time to be involved in something unless at least one of my girls is in it. I do miss camping and canoing. I did the training for Brownie, Junior and Cadette leaders, First Aid, OLS 1, OLS 2 and OLS 3 Canoing/Rivertripping. We had active troops, the Brownies went weekend camping. Anyhow, good luck with Girl Scouts- I guess that is why I am here- "make new friends but keep the old"

My first impression is raccoon, but I'd like to see more of the animal to be sure. The shape of the face and ears are raccoon-like, but I am puzzled about the smallness of the mask around the eyes. I think that the color balance of the original shot was off and this image has been adjusted and may have lost some defining detail.

Yes, most likely mange, either demodectic or sarcoptic, but there are other possibilities, particularly since mange can be very difficult to identify just by looking at the skin. A skin scraping is needed for a positive ID on mange. Severe flea infestation can also bring on skin problems such as dermatitis which is another possibility. A third, and less likely possibility, is skin problems from poor diet or food allergies. Thyroid problems can also cause skin disorders that resemble your photo. Without running blood tests, such as a T-4 or general health profile, or taking a skin scraping to look for mange mites, it is very difficult to tell from just looking at a photo exactly what it is. However, the bottom line is that it needs help to survive, especially since it already seems to be affecting the eyes, which is essential for survival in the wild. Kt

Hi Everyone! Thanks all for your concern. I'm not sure what to post, except, I'm quite certain it's MUCH better. He hasn't shown any aggression towards my son in several weeks. He didn't show any aggression towards my daughter either for about 3 weeks but then just recently, he snapped at her. We do take him running. He runs several miles a few times a day. We all run at different times during the day, so he goes on 2-3 runs per day. I take him at around 6a.m., at least one of my kids takes him after school and/or plays fetch with him and then my husband takes him in the evening. He gets PLENTY of exercise. I run the least, which is about 3-4 miles in the morning and on occasion 5 or more miles. I also took him to the vet. The vet is concerned, so he has a dog trainer that is planning to come by. I also contacted the local dog training school, who has not yet returned my phone call or email. BUT, my dog is doing better. I just don't have the heart to take him back to the shelter. He came from a shelter near by, which I believe is VERY good and everyone cares about the animals. They told me he won't get along with other dogs but were sure he would get along well with people. And by all accounts, he did until we brought him home. Remember, we visited him a few times at the shelter and he as great. I am sure that if we take him back,he will be euthanized and that idea is just too heartbreaking. My dog has some very loving qualities and such great charm.