As I was driving through Thomastown last month, I thought I could stop by at Pat Gibbons’ house and get the latest updates. Those who don’t know Pat The Fox Man, can read his story here. This story has been copied and pasted so many times that I gave up being annoyed.
Fortunately, Pat was home, we spent a few minutes visiting and went to the fox pen. It was about 4 pm, one hour before the foxes are let inside for the evening, and I didn’t want to make them upset by dragging them out for a picture. Minnie was already whining, overreacting like the drama queen she is. Nothing is ever right for poor Minnie 🙂
It took a lot of flattering ( ‘who’s a good girl?’) and a prolonged shoulder massage to get her to lift her ‘ cheerful’ face to me for a picture. Not that I am complaining here. Minnie is all soft and lovely, and it is only a pleasure petting her thick silky fur.
Divas are allowed to have a bad day. When she is ready, you behold a star 🙂
Two years ago Minnie got pregnant by Henry. Pat was not in condition to care for another fox, and a woman from Kilkenny adopted the kit. I asked Pat how was the little fox doing. Visibly saddened by the question Pat said that the kit has died. He recons it was something about food. Fox is neither a dog nor a cat. Pat gives them chicken legs and beef mince, but they also have ‘extras’ like snails, worms, wild berries.
Pat speaks about commitment and dedication one must have if they plan on keeping a rescued fox. Foxes are creatures of habit and they need their routine. Every day at 5 pm Pat brings them into the house, and it has to be 5pm, sharp.
Recently their friend, the old dog Blackie, was hit by car and died. Pat got a new pup, this time a snow white one, but the foxes don’t mind the color 🙂 The pup is very playful which is just fine with the foxes.
Henry wasn’t in a good mood and run away from us to his enclosure. A couple of month ago he bit Pat’s hand. As Pat explains, he was picking him up and accidentally pressed on his bad paw. It was just a reaction, and Henry himself was probably terrified, as he is so gentle and sweet. Pat got blood poisoning and had to spent 6 days in the hospital. No hard feelings though. Henry got 60 stitches on his head and body when he was mauled by dogs, Pat explains. He must have very sore paw as his leg never straightened out. The dogs badly mauled his jaw and his left eye.
Beautiful Grainne sits in her favorite corner. Each fox has their favorite place in the pen. She is about 12, and has a lot of silver in her fur, but she is still playful, and performs her usual tricks on demand.
Good girl!
This is an old picture I took of Grainne and Minnie.
Pat often takes them out to Thomastown. Foxes walk on a leash and stop to let people pet them. Meanwhile, Pat shares his thoughts on the wild life preservation. The foxes sometimes get invited to schools. Recently they got a shop opening ceremony invitation.
After leaving the fox pen we talk for another few minutes, and hiding behind the grass, I take some pictures of Pat’s gorgeous chickens.
The puppy cannot wait for me to start my car – it will be the highlight of his day 🙂 Thankfully, he doesn’t jump on the road.
I hope to see them all in December.
My other blog posts about Pat and his foxes:
https://inesemjphotography.com/2015/08/04/all-creatures/
https://inesemjphotography.com/2014/04/06/kindness/
https://inesemjphotography.com/2017/01/27/pat-and-his-foxes/
Have a fantastic weekend!
Making memories 
I love your photos of the shy foxes, Inese. They’re so beautiful. And your photos of chickens make them look gorgeous. I never knew chickens were so photogenic! Lol. Thanks for the smile. 🙂
Thank you Diana! I have a soft spot for chicken 🙂 Hope to visit Pat again later this year.
I have often wondered why we as a civilisation have never bothered to try to tame and domesticate foxes as we have done with hounds and cats. These creatures are stunning, as is evident from your photos, and I just can’t help but wonder what it would be like to have a fox nestled in the pillows of my sofa like my dog is right now.
Sorry for the late reply, I have been away for a few weeks.
There should be some reasons. I have no idea what the dog and cat ancestors looked like and what were their habits. I guess that food is the matter as foxes cannot survive on human, cat or dog food.
I have seen a youtube videos from a guy who owns a fox and keeps it in his house. His fox is actually quite crazy. Not much cuddling and nestling in the pillow 🙂 Pat’s foxes play with his dog, but he never mentioned them ruining his house though 🙂
Just beautiful. And your pictures are amazing xxxxxxxxxx
Thank you so much! Sorry for the late reply, been on my annual family trip xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I hope it was a nice trip for you xxxx
Was a great trip, and a great coming back as we landed in the storm and were congratulated on being alive 🙂 xx
How very nice of them to do that….. It was terrible, that storm. We took a beating here. Glad you had a lovely trip. You will have special memoires of seeing your precious ones.
Yes, these memories are precious – two weeks a year is all I get.
Oh Inese……………. my heart goes out to you that there is not more xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Wonderful photo’s, wonderful creatures, a beautiful man with a heart of gold.
Thank you so much! He truly is.
Very cute 🙂
Thank you!
Wonderful Post! Love to see the foxes again along with Pat. The photographs of the chickens made me smile. All those plump birds in close proximity to the foxes. g
Thank you so much! Sorry for the late reply – I have been away visiting my daughter and her family.
Chicken are the funniest 🙂 They always make me smile.
Loved the images and wonderful blog! Never tire of your fox blogs!
Thank you so much! It was just a short visit to catch up 🙂 I hope for a photo session later this year.
The foxes are beyond beautiful! I know I’ve read at least 1 other foxes post, if not all. I’ll check them out!
Oh, the chickens are gorgeous!!!
Thank you so much, Resa! I read your Nine Black Lives book during my flight 🙂 It is the most intriguing piece of detective literature I have read in years! You are a star! xx
OMG! That’s fantastic! Thank you! I wish I knew how to better sell it, or even just give it away. xoxoxo
You should read what the other authors advise. Like Diana. She often shares great info. I wish I had the gift of writing 🙂 https://mythsofthemirror.com/about-the-author-d-wallace-peach/
Reblogged this on Janet's Thread 2.
Thank you Janet! Sorry for the late reply – I have been visiting my daughter and her family.
Takes a special person to take in wounded wildlife. So glad there is someone who understands the foxes.
Thank you! Pat and the vet saved them from certain death.
I’ve been wondering how Pat and the foxes are recently, thanks so much for letting us know and share yet again your wonderful pictures, Inese! And divas for every right to have had days, as do we all in fact.😉 And I’m so sorry about Pat’s dog. And I also remember those gorgeous chickens! 😄
Have a beautiful weekend, dear friend! Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sorry for the late reply Sarah – I was away with my daughter’s family. Once a year, you know. All my time belonged to my babies 🙂
Thank you for remembering the chickens 🙂 I adore chickens! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
No worries, Inese! I completely understand! Hope you had a great time with your family! Have a happy weekend! xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 🙂
You too have a wonderful weekend, Sarah! xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you! 😀 xxxxxxxxxxxx
What a lovely visit, to Pat. It is very of you to post how Pat’s foxes are doing. I read about them and they are not easy to be domesticated. Pat’s foxes seem to really like living with him and they look happy. It is great to know that fox can also be on lease. I thought they were like cat in this regard. A very nice post!
Sorry for the late reply, I was visiting my daughter and her family. Yes, it is amazing how the foxes can be tamed. Pat got them as babies, very badly damaged, almost dead. He and his dogs have been their family. The leash is for their safety – if they run away, they will sure die.
Oh, no problem at all. That is very good to know about how the foxes became part of Pat’s family and the leash.
Yes, I have written many blog posts about them, and hope to write more in the future 🙂
Sounds lovely – life with chickens and foxes! Thanks!
Thank you! Just a short visit, I haven’t seen them a year.
Gorgeous as always!
Thank you! Just a short visit.
Cute fellas 🙂
They are 🙂
I always enjoy seeing the foxes. Pat does such a marvelous job with them.
Yes, they are lovely. Pat rescued these foxes from certain death, but he would rather people leave the wild to the wild if an animal is healthy.
Yes, I agree with that.
Poor old Henry! He does look in a bit of a state. 😦 I had no idea foxes were such creatures of habit. A walking friend has family in Thomastown. I’ll have to ask her if they know Pat. 🙂 🙂
Oh I am sure your friend knows Pat. Many people don’t like him though as they think foxes are vermin and have to be killed.
Yes, she does! Her son and grandsons live in the same street. Small world, isn’t it? 🙂 🙂
Wow, it is small indeed 🙂 Plan a visit 🙂
All those chickens. No wonder Minnie is so grouchy. 😉
It wasn’t a good time for a visit 🙂 They usually sleep at this time before being invited inside for a snack and TV show. Minnie and Henry are the ones you could pick up and pet, and they wouldn’t mind it at all. As to the chickens – I adore chickens 🙂
What a delightful story of the foxes and the pics and also the pics of the chickens. Thank you for bringing us such nice stories to enjoy. I know it takes effort putting up a post depending on how big the post is. I just wanted to say thank you for all your efforts.
Thank you Joseph! Sorry it took so long to reply. I was on my annual trip, visiting my family. Hope all is well.
Not a problem. Taking a break from WordPress at the moment. Don’t know how long I’ll be. Family visiting. You know what they say if you wannt to see how enlightened on your journey you have become spend a week with your family. Love the fox story. Hope you are well.
True in many ways 🙂 My daughter is my best friend, we enjoy each others company and a good laugh. Spent some time in the wilderness with no internet or mobile – it was wonderful 🙂
That is nicee to hear. Communing with nature always gives me a boost.
The sky full of stars, a deer nibbling on the leaves right across the cabin windows, chipmunks and squirrels chatting in the trees, still mountain lake, gorgeous sunsets… Things to reflect upon during the grey Irish winter months 🙂
Beautiful imagery. Sometimes I find at those times Spiritual ephinanies happen
Yes, true. I love this world 🙂
Beautiful creatures and photography.
Thank you George!