And that's how the "Great Pact" was formed between the indoor animals and the outdoor animals. Well, between the indoor animals' gods and me, anyway.

The bird-headed one, the dog-headed one, and the cat-headed one saw that through human's service to animals, they would be served. But why not extend that power through the outdoor animals as well? At least to the animals right outside the door -- the raccoons, the possums, and the skunks, and their kin.

But how to do that? Raccoons provided little human companionship. Possums wouldn't jump for joy upon a human's return to the house. And skunks weren't going to be allowed to rub up against anyone's legs.

The animals of the indoor gods were persuaded to take another tack. To create respect for the animals of the suburban night in a different way. A way that would demand respect.

So they agreed to manipulate the humans in a new way. Through the subtle application of force. That is, to enact subtle perturbations of the moon, and through these subtle perturbations, move the moon in ways that would disrupt human activity. Specifically, their construction projects and other incursions on the waning forest land. On new subdivisions, on roads, and on the new golf course expansion.

Such subtle perturbations of the moon could have deep and wide ranging effects -- zoning delays, mechanical failures, accidents... Reductions in luck and increased probabilities of failures for certain ventures. Such things are possible by those in close connection with the moon -- those who keep track of it even when it can not be seen. And all because of a greater understanding of our shared values as animals -- wild, domestic, and those in between. All who share this planet and its moon together.

When I left the Temple of the Moon and returned to tell my animal friends of the Great Pact, I will admit they were not overly optimistic as to its significance.

"Subtle perturbations of the moon my ass," said Richard Raccoon.