this is so touching. they may be reincarnated souls who'd once lived in that very house; & are now exiled to dwelling beneath the deck. cannot comprehend why they are no longer inside sitting upright while eating, using cutlery, watching TV, vaguely discontented with their lives.
Raccoons are smart enough to see humans live fascinating lives. While the skunks and possums on my deck only want food, the raccoons stand with hands on the glass watching life inside. They peer around curiously if I open the door and only take the proffered food as afterthought.