…when I move from the present house, not when I leave this life. Although I suppose that applies, too.
The house I’ve lived in for 15 years is very rural, with live oak and redwood in all directions. Since no dogs have lived here for all that time, and since the fines for allowing dogs to wander are very high hereabouts, the wildlife has developed a certain insouciance about their human neighbors. Raccoons, skunk, and opossums are regular visitors; wild turkey and coyotes pass through the yard. The other day I stepped out the front door and had a rabbit burst out from under my feet, walked into the driveway and frightened a chipmunk, and took a few steps more and startled the young buck that adores my roses. I felt like a Disney heroine.
Now, having not lived in the new place yet, I can’t be sure all those creatures won’t have relatives there, and the chances of its not having raccoon and skunks is relatively small. But less likely, and therefore among The Things I Will Miss, is the resident bobcat, who passes through in the half-light, trotting purposefully across the lawn or drive on his way to breakfast or bed, depending on the time of day. Bobcats are shy creatures, although they will face you down with an impressive growl if you happen across one.
If you look closely, you will see him, standing by the gate to the paddock, in a rare contemplative mood. Whether he is sniffing something, or thinking about it, this time he stood in one place long enough for me to find the camera, turn it on, crank forward the telephoto a bit, and move close to the window (doing most of the moving out of his line of sight.)