tanukis

Next, they discussed Dern's arrest (Lisa Ko was amazed that he already knew about it; was, though she concealed it, more than a little annoyed that he knew, after she'd traveled halfway around the world, walking out on the circus, leaving her tanukis in the care of an unstable individual, to bring the news).

Villa Incognito Robbins, Tom 2003

She was remembering, obviously, her escaped tanukis, how they were at large at Grants Pass-but then, suddenly, something else came to mind.

Villa Incognito Robbins, Tom 2003

Even so, the girl was well into her teens before it occurred to her that her cherished playtime with tanukis might constitute a lucrative profession.

Villa Incognito Robbins, Tom 2003

Chingo-do happens to be a temple consecrated to tanukis, and Thomas definitely had not gone there on purpose.

Villa Incognito Robbins, Tom 2003

"For the first time ever on the North American continent, " proclaimed the disembodied ringmaster, -a titillating troupe, a curious congregation, an exotic ensemble of one of the rarest animals on earth-the tremendous tumbling tanukis from the jungles of Southeast Asia, genuine mystery beasts: captured, tamed, and trained to execute amazing and amusing antics by the glamorous adventuress, Madame Ko.

Villa Incognito Robbins, Tom 2003

At a time when many species of wildlife are being driven into extinction by the grandiose arrogance and prolific bad habits of the human race, tanukis seem to be ... well, if not actually multiplying, at least fanning out.

Villa Incognito Robbins, Tom 2003

At some point during the night, when he was quite tipsy, he began to drum on his protruding belly, as tanukis are wont to do, and the pla-bonga pla-bonga sound of his drumming eventually attracted a kitsune.

Villa Incognito Robbins, Tom 2003

Technically, Col. Patt Thomas was incorrect when he mentioned that tanukis are indigenous to Southeast Asia (Thomas gleaned that information from his circus program).

Villa Incognito Robbins, Tom 2003

Or maybe, on a strictly subconscious level, circusgoers recognized in the antics of the tanukis-antics that appeared goofy and bumbling yet, at the same time, brave and successful-an analogy to their own blindly hopeful gyrations in a complex, impermanent universe where every happy dance was danced in the lengthening shadow of death.

Villa Incognito Robbins, Tom 2003

There have even been one or two reports of tanukis in the French Alps!

Villa Incognito Robbins, Tom 2003