Evergreen Meadows Homeowners Association

Our Friendly Fox

Aug 25, 1999

Some of us on the west side have encountered a resident fox
family. A few of us have been treated with a casual
encounter with one of the parents of this family. On two
recent occasions, I have been surprised at the lack of fear
of the male. He has approached me as if he were totally
unafraid, but without any particular interest. My neighbor
to the north thought this fox was going to come into his
house through the rear door, on one occasion.

On my first encounter, the fox was sitting on our side of
Native Dancer Trail watching me as I retrieved our mail one
afternoon. When I saw the fox, I was just about to enter
our driveway and stopped. I spoke to the fox (I realize
English is not its first language) at which point the fox
started walking towards me along our ditch. It stopped long
enough to lap a few drinks from the ditch and then crossed
the driveway, passing no more than five or six inches from
my shoes. It then continued along the ditch and out of
sight.

The second time I met it, I was returning from the street
with my wheel barrow to take another load of trash sacks to
the street. As I turned with a sack for the wheel barrow, I
found the fox standing next to the wheel barrow, just
watching me. As I tried to load the sack I tipped over the
wheel barrow and the fox moved a few feet away, then our
German Shepherd saw the fox and barked. This sent the fox
casually down the yard toward the street.

I don't know why the fox seems so friendly, but I hope it is
not because neighbors are feeding it. Seeing our wild life
is one of the great benefits of living in the Meadows.
Feeding them is known to be undesirable for both us and the
animals. So this piece is to encourage residents to avoid
feeding our friendly fox, if it is being done at all.

F. P. Frederick, resident and animal lover