In appreciation of mothers everywhere

Just in time for Mothers' Day, I had the opportunity to witness who I think is perhaps the World's Most Dedicated Mother in her element.

Her dwelling is small and she has five boisterous children. Her day is spent working, but when she gets home she shares the meagre food she has earned during the day betweeen the kids and sometimes goes to bed hungry because there isn't enough for her. The kids are growing well and as each day passes, are becoming more independant. The mother of course continues to provide for the kids, expecting nothing by way of thanks. Her golden brown hair highlighted by the setting sun she gazes adoringly at her charges as they finish their evening meal.

I am referring to the brown fox that lives in our backyard and has just had a litter of five kits (which I believe is what fox cubs are called). As the kits play and explore the world around them we have come to know them and their idiosyncracies. They are Freddie, Flicka, Fidel, Frankie and Fiona.

Fearless Freddie is the black one with a little white patch on his back and a white tip to his tail. He derives great pleasure from taunting our Golden Retrievers from the other side of the patio door, secure in the knowledge that he is safe from the seething, foaming, 110 pounds of frustration that is Harley. He is wise to the ways of modern double-paned tempered glass, and knows that however hard Harley may throw himself at the door, all that is going to result is a wet print of a squashed snout on the inside of the glass. So he continues to stare in curious amusement at Harley.

Flicka is like her mother. Slight of build but with a rich russet gold pelt, she seems to prefer a quieter time. Not for Flicka the hurly burly of a chase down the mountain-side. She would rather curl up under the garden chair and watch the world go by with contemplative eyes.

All Foxie - the mother - needs to do, is to tilt her head and let out a high pitched call and they are all off - to gather around Mom to see what special treat she might have in store today. Like all mothers everywhere, Foxie's treat is nothing less than a mother's undying devotion to her children.

Happy Mothers Day Foxie.


Mothers Day
Foxes
Moms
Mums
Mothers Devotion