After the rain ended here, I wanted to go check on the little red fox kit that I’d found (well, Dog found it) in a barrel along one of the ski slopes on Roundtop. The little fox was too small to get in and out of the barrel—the slippery metal sides to the barrel didn’t help either. Momma fox hadn’t chosen her den very well.
The day before I’d dropped in some straw that was originally intended for my chickens. I was worried that the little fox couldn’t get out of that barrel, and I was worried that the barrel would fill up with water from the rain.
So, I headed up the small ski slope towards the barrel. I hadn’t gotten very far, not even halfway there, when suddenly the little fox bounced out from tall grass beside a rock next to the slope. It wasn’t 15 feet away, and I’d scared it by walking by. Success! That meant the straw in the barrel had allowed it get out of that soggy mess.
I stopped and the little fox trotted away from me. I watched it go. It trotted toward its barrel for a short distance and then had to stop to scratch an ear. After that was accomplished, it continued onward toward the barrel, this time at a walk, having to stop again before long to give shake itself off. Like kittens and puppies, fox kits don’t focus very well.
I was well-pleased with myself. I’d managed to help the little fox without really interfering with it. Now at least it has a chance to grow up. I’ll be even happier if it stays away from my chickens.
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6 comments:
Delightful! You know, Carolyn, people seem to have this insatiable desire to shoot everything here. Like foxes. Just because they're...foxes. Nothing warms my heart more than to hear a fox now and again. They are important little animals and a joy to have around...even if one has chickens, which we do. Thanks for helping the kit fox!
Elora
Hurrah! I'm glad the little fox got out of the barrel, but of course it will try to eat your chickens every chance it can. Good luck.
I love happy endings. (And good stewardship.)
Elora: I hear the foxes bark almost every night, and now that I know where the den is, I know why I'm hearing them so often, too!
Woodswalker: I will make sure my chicken pen is secure. Usually, I find raccoons more troublesome to the chickens than fox. But when I let the chickens out, I have to stay nearby and stay out with them. I can't let them out during the day when I'm gone and expect to still have chickens when I get home.
Pablo: Thanks! I try.
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