... and nothing but the truth

Foxy Loxy

As I have mentioned before, we live near an old railway line which is now a cycle track. It runs from the city of Bath right into the city of Bristol. Because the cycle track is relatively quiet most of the time, it has become a kind of 'safe place' for lots of wild life and especially birds. Lots of trees and bushes grow the whole length of the track.

We often see foxes walking around the flats where we live and we like to see them. When in good condition they look absolutely beautiful. About three years ago I noticed a fox which had poor runny eyes and patches of dry, sore skin. It's tail had no fur on it at all and the poor animal looked very ill and lifeless. It made me feel so sad to see; it quite upset me.

I looked this condition up and found out that the fox had mange and eventually the fox will die. It is a horrible way for any creature to die. I googled foxes and found out that there is a National Fox Charity which sends out medication for people to give to the foxes, where they gather to eat and this will cure the awful condition. I was really surprised to learn that the medication is put onto bread and jam as foxes like sweet things! Just like me! I love jam too. Cats won't touch it!

During lockdown, we noticed a fox who had a small patch of sore skin on her rump. I realised that this was mange and was determined to do something to help, I found the address of the National Fox Charity and they sent me a form to fill out asking questions about the fox the medication was for and within a couple of weeks, they sent us the medication. I realised that the fox was a female (a vixen) as I saw her playing in the garden on a small patch of earth with a beautiful little cub! It was so lovely to see them together. The cub jumped onto one of my pots and then sprang out at his mother, it was so sweet!

When the medication arrived (homeopathic medication which will not harm any creature if they take it by mistake), I had to put it outside in my garden each evening and hope and pray that the fox would go past and eat it. As there are lots of them around, I did wonder if she would get it. We saw her later and she looked better, so we hope it worked. I was glad to help and sent a £10 donation to the charity. They help thousands of foxes every year.

We have many animal charities in the UK and I really wonder what would happen without them? Aren't people kind, giving up so much of their time and money to help animals.

Foxes seem to be one of those creatures you either love or hate and they can be a real nuisance digging up lawns and places in people's gardens. Our friends have a tiered garden on three levels and the bottom level is secluded lawn, surrounded with high hedges. They love to sit there in the summer months relaxing. However, at one point the foxes found this area and decided to move in. It ruined the garden for our friends and they were so upset they even thought of moving house. Flats were being built behind their garden and when the building work was completed the foxes, for some reason, moved on and they didn't have the problem any longer. They were so glad that they went.

I love foxes, but I must say they can leave very smelly mess behind them, it quite turns the stomach! But, well, that's nature for you! Ha, ha.

Fortunately, they do little damage here as there is very little open ground for them to mess with and they live elsewhere on the cycle track.

December 2020