Vicki Fox > Guests > PEI Foxes > 1998 Journal 4Q

PEI Foxes - 1998 Journal : October to December

Oct 1,2

Tom reports that no one showed up either night.

Oct 3

Tom reports "Darlin was waiting below the trees at 6:30 this evening but no sign of Smokey. I fed her at the top of the hill, went on to the sitting rock and when I turned around she was racing up to see what there was there. She got the last of Cheryl's pork chop bones this evening along with one dinner roll."

Oct 4

Tom's email "Darlin was waiting for me on the hill top and was a lot more familiar this evening, coming right up to the car for crumbs I had dropped. Don't get me wrong, she didn't poke her head under a fender or quite that close but at least within two arm lengths."

Oct 7

Tom reports that he had some leftover lobster salad which he shared with Darlin. She was properly appreciative.

Oct 8

Tom's email: Darlin came out in spite of the rain. She was waiting under the trees and all I had for her was some sliced turkey which she seemed to enjoy and a couple of doggie bones which she smiled over. Ruth provided the turkey saying she hated it. I thought of saving it for you but didn't know how old it was. I told her about giving Darlin the lobster she had given me and she said great I have two more cans of it for her.

Oct 9

Tom's email - Ruth called to say she had left over old pot roast and ham she didn't like, would the foxes like it. So I picked it up and that with what Cheryll left today Darlin was in seventh heaven. She was waiting at the bottom of the spruces and didn't move until the car was almost on top of her. Her coat looked a lot better tonight but then she was soaking was last night. Maybe the rain (bath) helped it?

Oct 10

Toms email - Darlin was half way to the culvert this evening and turned her nose up at Chrispix. I left only a little of Ruth's pot roast and went in to sitting rock where I was more generous. When I turned the car she was nowhere to be seen so I sat and waited thinking maybe a Coyote had turned up or something had scared her away. Finally she appeared by the reopened lane and leisurely made her way to the sitting rock. When I got back to the berm ( top of the hill) the Chrispix were still there so all she got for a teat was one small milk bone. Was she trying to tell me something?

Oct 13

What a joyous reunion with Darlin. She was waiting at the bottom of the spruce trees as Eunice and I came chugging up the hill. She raced along side, but not as close as previously. At the top of the hill she kept her distance (3 - 4 feet) as I was tossing out turkey bits and pieces of potato. I went on to the sitting rock and a fresh new present (scat) was atop; if I had checked this morning I would have known she got the treats I left last night. Coming back to the hill top Darlin was still scavanging the tiny pieces of food. I nattered on and on about how absolutely gorgeous she is in her winter coat. Her tail is outstandingly beautiful. I finally started tossing out dry cat food, one little piece at a time. We spent about 20 minutes in this fashion. The day was cold and getting colder as the sun set. I finally gave her dessert - milk bone. She shuddered with delight as she put her ears out to the side, head back, eyes closed and crunch, crunch, crunch. By this time she was coming much closer and felt more comfortable. Still not putting her foot on the cart as she did before I left, but much of the old warmth had returned by the time I was ready to leave. Told her it was really important she put on a terrific show tomorrow night as Brad Swanson will be here and I want her to impress the socks off him.

Oct 14

Darlin put on a show that you couldn't believe. Brad and our son Bob truly had 'their socks blown off' by her. The three of us tootled off in Eunice. Tom had caught a couple of mice in the well house (now used for seed and tool storage) which he gave to Brad to take up to Darlin. She spotted one of those tasty morsels immediately after coming out of the spruce trees. She grabbed it and ran off and didn't appear again for about 15 minutes. It was apparent she ate it rather than caching it. I wanted her to look her best so gave her several milk bone. She did her "ecstasy look" and was properly appreciative. She ate some dry cat food I tossed piece by piece and then sat and posed for us. Eventually she stretched out and groomed herself a little, scratched her chin, and stared at us. We were getting cold and dinner was waiting back at the house so I asked her to sit up and be pretty so we could have one last look. Lo and behold, she did. We said good-bye and went down the hill. I'm checking into the hotel where our meeting is taking place so Darlin will be on her own for a few nights.

Oct 18

Bob and I went back in the rain to give Darlin a feed but she didn't show up.

Oct 19

A beautiful sunny day today. Darlin came as soon as the car started up the hill. Tried to video but the battery was dead. Should have checked it before I left the house. She looks gorgeous in her winter coat. She only got a biscuit tonight (left over from strawberry shortcake) and two milk bone. She seemed happy with whatever was given to her. Very, very 'dancy'; kept looking around, going suddenly on the alert, looking back into the trees. I had the car door open and she came right up to it and sat down. Seemed very relaxed then. I talked to her for about 10 minutes and she just sat a few feet from me, listening intently. Evidently she got bored when I started to repeat myself so she went back to the hill top to look for crumbs she might have missed. Suddenly there was a fox bark from the trees and she took off with a running start. As I left I could see her in a little clearing under the branches, squatting. She was alone. Recharging the camera battery now and hope she shows up in all her winter beauty tomorrow night.

Oct 20

Joan went with me but Darlin didn't show up.

Oct 21

Bitter, bitter cold. Darlin was waiting as I drove up in Eunice. Gave her some ham and fried potatoes. She preferred the ham. I got some good video - she just naturally poses when she sees the 'black thing' come out. I was freezing but determined to stay as long as she. Suddenly a sharp bark (as in previous days) came from the trees and she took off in that direction.

Oct 22

Left chicken fat, fried potatoes and cooked carrots. No sign of Darlin or any fox.

Oct 23

The chicken fat and potatoes gone, but carrots remain. Not a good sign. Darlin loves carrots. Skunks or raccoons are probably enjoying the treats. Darlin didn't show. Left some Crispex and came home grateful I got some video the other night.

Oct 24 - 27

No sign of Darlin. We leave for Chicago tomorrow. It was lucky I got the video of her last week.