I could see he was starting to have health problems in the Spring but he still got around well. He was brave and would rest in the Sun out in the open.
I had a hay bale in the corner before I worked on the garden. He liked to use it as a bed.
I dug up the garden for planting and moved the hay bale but he still like to visit. He would just pick a comfy place to lay.
He was having some problems with his coat and leg. He must have been in a territorial dispute with the other foxes in the area. I have seen them and they were much healthier then this one.
You can see his leg in this photo is stiff and damaged.
Rest in peace my friend, you will be remembered as a faithful garden friend.The next photo is graphic because yesterday I found the back half of the fox in the very place he loved to lay. I moved him into the grass in the back and he was gone this morning.
Don't scan down if you don't wish to see this.
The other animals had taken their feel of this fox. This is the cycle of life and death. It looks like his health was improving from his tail.
This is the way of nature.
ReplyDeleteThe first picture shows a beautiful animal.
Blessings,Ruth
What a nice post. Sad but nice. And you are right, really, this is what life is. A cycle.
ReplyDeletePoor thing. So sad.
ReplyDeleteHe was such a beautiful creature of God.
That is nature, Tom, but it still is very sad... Rest in peace, Mr. Fox.
ReplyDeleteBetsy
Beautiful and sad post!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful fox, and you photographed him really well, Fishing Guy.
ReplyDeleteOh Tom, what a sad, sad story!! I am so sorry this should happen to such a wonderful animals. :(
ReplyDeleteThese are really great pics Tom, except the last one of course.
How neat of you to follow this. Sad but true the life cycles of nature.
ReplyDeleteAh...poor little thing. Even in sickness he was beautiful. I know it is the way of nature, but I still hate it. A nice tribute, Tom.
ReplyDeleteI meant to mention the new header photo.....it appears that the rivers of Ohio are getting a bit wild :-)
ReplyDeleteIt is the cycle of life and death and an important lesson for all of us. Now your little garden friend is at peace.
ReplyDeleteThis is a short, sad but always true(?) chronicle of life.
ReplyDeleteI must say that this is quite a loving tribute to Mr. Fox who apparently loved to visit you and your garden. He did, no doubt, enjoy your company and came there when he knew his days were numbered. You can count it a blessing. I did.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for visiting my blog and for the comment you left me there.
Pick a Peck of Pixels
Very nice tribute to Mr. Fox. What a beauty he was.
ReplyDeleteLove your post and pictures.
RIP Mr. Fox.
Nature can sometimes appear cruel, but you've given a nice tribute to Mr. Fox.
ReplyDeleteYou were seen as a trustworthy human and allowing a place of rest when in need.
ReplyDeleteLife can be hard.
Thank you for sharing. Have a good weekend.
Nice tribute to a wonderful visitor who graced you with his presence..all the way to the end! :(
ReplyDeleteHow fortunate you were to share this garden friend for a while. It lived a good fox life until the very end. Wonderful post and captures.
ReplyDeleteI know it is the cycle of life, I grew up on a farm. But still I sometimes wish things didn't turn out like this.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear of the demise of your garden visitor but by the looks of him he must have crossed the wrong fellow's path.
ReplyDeleteC'est la vie, but still heartbreaking, he was such a beautiful fox. Have a nice weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi Tom,
ReplyDeleteSad end, Tom. Reminded me that everything in this world is impermanent.
Seems like you have good wildlife turning up in your yard. I once only once chanced upon a pair of Golden Jackals in mine in broad daylight and I managed to show them to my mother and some gasping neighbours, who have never seen one.
Tom, what a poignant post, nice photos and sad.
ReplyDeleteSmiles and blessings
Shame~! Poor little fox - it was so adorable. I wish we had foxes here in South Africa. You got really amazing photos :O)
ReplyDeleteSreddy
Oh this is so, so sad. I always welcome our garden visitors and I try not to think of the time they won't come again. Painful and beautiful images, happy memories too. I always feel hounoured when an animal visit. Farewell Mr Fox.
ReplyDeleteNeat that you got to see the little guy so much. And it is true-it's the way of nature.
ReplyDeleteLovely tribute to this little fox. I'm sure he'll be missed.
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings,
Even in ill health, he was adorable. You captured him perfectly. Rest in peace, little fox.
ReplyDeleteI have many foxes visiting my property, too. One in particular likes to sit and rest in my garden right next to Angelo, my little angel statue. I'm glad you at least know why your fox friend can't visit you anymore - or perhaps he will visit, though unseen.
ReplyDeleteTom- Wow, pretty interesting, really. Great post.
ReplyDeleteTom
How kind of you to allow him a little retreat...seems he had a friend in you. Nature can be cruel...a very nice post in honor of such a beautiful creature.
ReplyDeletePoor little guy! You're right though, the circle of life is brutal, but necessary!
ReplyDeleteTom, that trouble with his fur is exactly what was wrong with "our" fox, too. Apparently, foxes have terrible trouble with scabies and once infested, the foxes usually die from exposure to the cold because such large patches of fur are missing or from being so weakened by the infection that they can no longer eat. I'm so sad for you and for both our foxes. They are such beautiful creatures!
ReplyDelete