Ever since I saw a possum hanging on my neighbor’s chain link fence in the pouring rain I’ve had a soft spot for this animal. Even as babies possums don’t really look cute. They are scruffy, with fur that defies shininess (the only thing that’s shiny, albeit a bit rubbery, is their large black ears). The possum’s tail is naked, which doesn’t help its outsider status. When the animal opens his mouth, teeth and gums take up the better part of his face. Its large, pointy fangs belie the fact that possums are by and large friendly and harmless creatures. Because they aren’t “cute” and many people consider them vermin, possums often become the victims of animal cruelty. But possums help keep our homes and gardens free of mice, snakes and cockroaches.

This hand-quilted grey and white possum is featured in front of a “wooden” background, indicating how the animal’s habitat is interwoven with our manmade, human environment. The quilt doubles as a wall hanging, a bathroom rug or a blanket for a small infant. It is 32 x 30 inches and 100 percent cotton. It can be machine-washed and line-dried.

Photos: Rebecca Krasnik