rescued foxes

Update from Pat The Foxman

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What is the best way to start all over again after a long absence? My bet is on foxes.

I have been to Thomastown a couple of times after the lockdown. Pat is busy in summer helping neighbors, looking after his chickens and ducks and his vegetable garden. We just share our pictures and news, talk about little Gorta and his latest adventures. Then a neighbor calls in and it is time to leave.

Henry, the 9 years old male fox, died this spring. He could live another couple of years, but the injuries he sustained as a cub took their toll. Henry had 176 stitches on his body and has been in pain all his life. Now all three foxes are united somewhere in the Universe where the rainbow bridges span over the land of milk and honey.

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Little Gorta is not that little any more. This playful one year old fox loves cuddles and snacks and lives a relaxed life of a spoiled daddy’s boy and a video star. He is house trained and has never spent a night in the shed. Here is a link to my first post about Gorta.

As you see, his color has changed. Baby foxes have black fur when they are born. It turns grey after a month and sand-colored for another 2-3 months. Now Gorta is as red as any other grown up red fox.

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One day we take Gorta to the field. He loves snail hunting.

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For his own safety, Gorta isn’t allowed to run free outdoors, but as he doesn’t know any better, the chain doesn’t seem to be bothering him.

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He loves a belly rub and a game “I will catch your tail” 😉 He understands the words, and is all smiles and excitement.

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Life is going on.

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Thank you for being so kind and understanding, my friends.

www.inesemjphotography Have a wonderful week! ❤

New brother

First the sad news. Sweet Minnie the fox followed her sister Grainne to the Rainbow Bridge at the age of eleven. Last time I saw her she was weaker than usual. She died in her sleep like Grainne. Both had a long and happy life.

Run free in heaven, you beautiful girls!

These are links to some of my blog posts about the Fox Man Pat Gibbons from County Kilkenny and his foxes:

https://inesemjphotography.com/2015/08/04/all-creatures/

https://inesemjphotography.com/2014/07/26/thomastown-fox-news/

https://inesemjphotography.com/2017/01/27/pat-and-his-foxes/

And here is another little soul who needed love and care. Meet Gorta, a 14 weeks old cub named after the famous Kilkenny hurler Martin Comerford’s nickname. In Irish, Gorta means Famine.

Gorta is different colour than the other foxes. He is peach-and-silvery grey with red goggles.

We are sitting outside and Gorta is sniffing the air and perking his ears. His nose never stops moving.

He smelled the ducks grazing in the garden and licked his lips.

A passing car startled him…

…so he did exactly what any other scared baby would do – reached for safety and pressed his little body to Pat.

A universal picture of love and trust.

No matter who or what you are.

Have a happy week!

Hello from the Foxes

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.