Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Fox Drama

Those new to this blog may want to check out my posts from June and July discussing Francis and Mr Fox, who have raised a family of kits under our tack room. Francis and three of the kits remain and if they are hanging around, come up for dog food once or twice a day...


Last week I glanced out the bedroom window to see two of the kits in the back yard waiting for a handout. When I went out on the terrace to throw them some dog food, to my horror one came scooting forward on her two front legs. Her hind legs were useless and seemed paralyzed behind her. Still, she acted normally and ate a lot, just extra-nervous because of her vulnerability. Her sibling kept close-by and trotted after her when she went into the woods.

I googled information and the contact of a wildlife rehabilitator, but unfortunately my em came back a few hours later. Excy and I discussed the possibility of trying to put her out of her misery if we needed to. We didn't want her to suffer.

We didn't see her the next day. But the day after that, she showed up as hungry as before, and still scooting around on her front legs. But this time, she stood on all fours to eat. A few days after that, she came walking up but very wobbly. I am amazed at her tenacity and spirit of recovery, and so glad we didn't make any hasty decisions!

This morning she was sunning herself on the 'Fox Rock,' a flat table-like rock I had a neighbor move from the woods with his forklift to our bamboo grove. Some of our late, beloved animal companions are buried in a ring around it. Francis Fox and the Mr began using it so often over the summer we named it Fox Rock. I could tell it was Shaky Fox on the rock (Excy likes to call her Draggen' Lady). Suddenly I noticed a tuxedo cat under a nearby tree watching squirrels eating seeds under the bird tree. It took off in pursuit of the squirrels and swaggered back when it didn't catch one, and not until it was four yards away did it notice the fox.

That cat has balls of steel.

His tail puffed up, he walked right up to the fox, who was standing up by now, her ears pinned back. The fox pointedly didn't look at the cat and the cat finally moved on. I guess looking at it would've meant engaging in a fight. The cat finally headed towards our nearest neighbor, who lives in a trailer with a billion yappy dogs.

Excy got up and threw out some dog food for the Shaky fox who seemed to be moving around better. When she runs too fast her legs tend to splay out from under her, though. We weren't able to grab the camera for a picture before it was all over. We haven't seen Francis for days. I guess she's on walk-about.

15 comments:

lisbonlioness said...

If I was a witch, I would choose a fox as my demon..If i was supersticious, I would say the night my beloved cat Penny went over the Rainbow bridge, she sent a fox to let me know she is still around.
Rock on, little fox. You're a true dragon!

Brian's Home Blog said...

She must have become injured somehow and fortunately time is letting it heal some.

Chris said...

You have always got some drama at your house. I hope a full recovery is in the cards. For everyone.

mypixieblog said...

I really wish I were surrounded by such beautiful wildlife everyday but I love coming here to read all your adventures :)

I'm also glad you didn't make any hasty decisions and hope this fox of yours makes a very speedy recovery!

meleah rebeccah said...

That cat has balls of steel INDEED!

Rebekah said...

What a fantastic thing to have witnessed! Thanks so much for visiting my blog (Good Enough) and taking time to comment on my recent posts. I hope you'll stop by again!

Linda Medrano said...

I love wild life and foxes are the coolest! I hope her legs are okay. I'm fascinated that the cat and she didn't "engage".

Carol............. said...

What a great wildlife story! Brave cat....I have one like that named Bronson........he drags home "snacks" that are almost as large as he is.... LOL

Anonymous said...

Little fox is a brave one for sure. I hope she heals completely, and that she has a long and sun-filled life. Amazing.

Angie, Catladyland said...

Wow -- you have some excitement at your place! I hope the little fox heals quickly :)

wendy said...

I love your wildlife stories.
I never get tired of watching the animals around here. Especially the moose.

I hope Miss Foxy continues to improve.

Sweet Tea said...

You're so fortunate to have your very own entertainment right outside your window. Love that! My hummingbirds have moved on for the season and I've no one left to watch except for our bouncing Schnauzer/Terrier, 6 mo. old, "Boudxy" (short for Boudreaux).
Love your stories.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I absolutely adore foxes, always have, and I'm so glad that the little one with the leg issue seems to be recovering. They are my favorite wild animals next to squirrels. We have a squirrel family who entertain us daily with their antics. :-)

Guess I should add giraffes in that number because they are my favorite exotic wild animal, but they have a terrible odor. Not sure why. A game keeper told me husband that they smelled worst than any animal they had on the preserve. Maybe it's something to ward off beasts that might catch and kill them otherwise.

I was delighted you dropped by for a vist, and I'm so glad to get to know you. Have enjoyed reading some of your other posts. I hope you will come back and visit me again. I also hope and pray that your kidney will be healed. Mr. Magpie has had kidney stones for years, but this was his first actual surgery. It really is hard when it's so invasive. I pray that your surgery will be a complete success!

I noticed on your profile that you love biographies and history. I'm just finishing a wonderful, new biography on George Washington which gives me a whole new appreciation of what the American troops went through in the Revolution and of the critical role he played. It is well written, very engaging, and I learned a lot from this volume about subjects I thought were previously exhausted. Not so. If you get a chance, you might want to check it out.

It's beautiful here tonight, and I think I might go out and enjoy the cooler temps!

XO,

Sheila :-)

SeaThreePeeO said...

Thank you for commenting on my blog Herding Cats. It's nice to meet you.

I'm glad that wobby fox is improving. You're so lukcy to be able to share your life with these wonderful creatures.

That cat made me laugh though.

Deborah said...

Oh this was such a pleasure to read, it's such a privilege to be a part of other creatures lives. I'm so glad the little fox found its legs again and as for the cat, that is impressive! :o)