A picture is worth a thousand words, but there was much more to Stanleigh The Raccoon (read on!)
A note from the Cloven’s:
We knew from an early age that Stanleigh was a unique raccoon. He was a born clown who enjoyed people more each day, instead of less as most raccoons do. When he was nine months old we began to capture his charm and personality with photos. This was the beginning of the Stanleigh Era, and it grew into something bigger than we anticipated. Stanleigh loved to perform and large crowds didn’t deter him in the least. Most raccoons are wary of people and any unusual noise frightens them, as well it should as their survival depends on this. But in all the glorious years of touring with Stanleigh, he absolutely thrived on the attention. He reveled in the adoration from his fans and didn’t even blink to the flash of cameras.
You will rarely even find raccoons in zoos because they can’t tolerate the pressure of being on display. Stanleigh was at ease in a gymnasium with five hundred children looking at him. Book signing parties were enthralling to him; he sat on his pedestal and played with toys, charming his adoring fans. Life was just one grand ball to Stanleigh; he knew he was a star and he enjoyed that status to the fullest.
Male raccoons are more solitary than females. Males will mate and move on, while female raccoons are exceptional mothers that will protect their young against all danger and despite all odds. Raccoons have adapted to living alongside humans and many agree this evolutionary trait says a great deal about any species. It saddens us to see how their adaptation and desire to trust is broken by a society today that does not understand their unique abilities.
Volumes could be written about the intelligence of raccoons. They are not rodents, they are not pests or nuisances; they are highly intelligent creatures. Their memory is uncanny and we can testify to all of these statements as raccoons have been an integral part of our lives for over 40 years.
Stanleigh was one in a thousand. He enjoyed full interaction with people of all ages and other animals and he never met a dog he didn’t like or that didn’t like him. He enjoyed classical music and watching television, too. Mostly Stanleigh liked family shows and comedies, such as All in the Family, and he never missed an episode of The Thornbirds. But if ever a violent scene appeared, Stanleigh left the room. Life was just good for Stanleigh. He was a dearly beloved and interesting little creature who brought untold joy to our lives and to all who knew him.
In the last decade we had countless people approach us at fairs and various shows that we attend since retiring. The children who were charmed by Stanleigh are grown now, but they still remember Stanleigh. It warms our heart to see them absolutely glow as they discuss their recollection of the day they met him. Despite the demand to reprint Stanleigh’s first two books, we were waiting until we found it… the wonderful third book that was buried in storage along with the treasured 16mm film reel of “The Dream Forest”.
Without doubt, society today needs a beautiful reminder of our natural world. It is our wish that the children who loved Stanleigh, and now their children and many more, be able to share in the magic of Stanleigh. For a limited time we have released a DVD with ALL three of the books, as well as a DVD version of “The Dream Forest” and are offering both with FREE SHIPPING.
To all of Stanleigh’s fans, past, present and future, we thank you for your support. A portion of all proceeds will be used to benefit urban wildlife.
George and Ruth Cloven
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More About Stanleigh
Probably no one can testify about the intelligence of raccoons and their unique personalities better than Ruth and George Cloven who have studied raccoons and are privileged to have shared their home with these wonderful animals for over 40 years. Each of their five raccoons has been remarkable and unique.
Native Americans called raccoons "little people" because they have such human characteristics. Of the Cloven Five, the most famous "little man" is Stanleigh, a very unusual raccoon. Named after Ruth’s English father, Stanleigh has reinforced the Cloven's belief that God has a sense of humor because in the raccoon He created nature’s true clown. From the beginning Stanleigh was special because of his happy-go-lucky nature and his love for all people and creatures, even dogs -- a raccoon’s natural enemy. The three books written about him, “But Not Stanleigh,” “Stanleigh’s Wrong-Side-Out Day” and “Stanleigh’s Pure Pink Day,” portray the numerous sides of his wonderful character.
What makes Stanleigh unique is that he was a true diplomat, traveling about and teaching children about wildlife in a powerful way that so rarely exists today.
Stanleigh made over 300 appearances at Colorado schools and was invited for a second assembly over and over. The theme of his assemblies, and now his books, is “Learn to Live with Wildlife and Enjoy It - Don’t Destroy It.” He taught children to remember that raccoons and our urban wild friends were here first and that humans are the intruders. Stanleigh also made appearances at major libraries, often with standing-room-only crowds. At his book store signings, alongside other well-known authors, he stood out first in line for people seeking his autograph. They finally put the word out: “Don’t bother trying to compete against Stanleigh!”
The newspaper articles written about Stanleigh are too numerous to count, and the invitations and gifts he received were from as far away as Hawaii. In addition to receiving approximately 300 letters per week for Stanleigh (which were all personally answered) the Cloven's answering machine was always filled with messages for Stanleigh. One call in particular stands out; the astronauts in Florida called to speak to Stanleigh!
Stanleigh has many TV and film credits. He was on television 18 times, including national broadcasts. He starred in “The Dream Forest”, a 24-minute dramatic film that had an honorary world premiere held at The Denver Center for the Performing Arts. The first (and perhaps the last) world premier for a raccoon!
His health concerns were addressed not only by veterinarians but by top human medical specialists in the country who enjoyed telling their colleagues about their “most famous patient.” Stanleigh was also given the Key to the City of Vail and Aspen -- an honor few humans receive.
Always first and foremost, this wonderful, exceptional little raccoon was a beloved friend that traveled with the Clovens everywhere they went.
http://www.examiner.com/x-41663-Urban-Wildlife-Examiner
Katherine McGill, Urban Wildlife Author, Advocate and Journalist Examiner.com
Author of “Heavenly Animals”
June 2010
“In a time when society knows so little of animals beyond our domestic pets, it thrills me to see the return of a time when our children knew better and found joy in our wild neighbors. The Clovens did it right with Stanleigh – they taught us about appreciating wildlife instead of fearing it. Stanleigh’s charming books and his inspiring movie will be a treasure to own for all of time and for all ages.
Thank you for finally bringing Stanleigh back - and in such a beautiful, memorable way!”
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