Free as a Fox

Hello! My name is Eshu and I am a rescued orphan red fox (vulpes vulpes) born in 2013 and now living with a family and feeling all snazzy n happy! This is my blog where you can follow me and see my growing and way of live! If you have any questions feel free to ask me!

[eshu-the-vixen]

Miss Sillyface - giving birth a new army of foxes with all the fur she sheds. 

[eshu-the-vixen]

2 years already!

And yesterday we turned to be 2 years old ^____^

Sadly without camera (again) no photos but we celebrated it - and luck favored she was in the mood and spent 5-6 hours continuously together in her enclosure playing and fooling around.

She was very hyped and open for interactions - even included Chi into it, so it was a wonderful day. She got her special treats obviously for the big day, though food not caught her interest up, more my presence and the game time. :)

[eshu-the-vixen]

Silly thing - and also our "lure the fox out of her den ritual" in photos. :>

Not so long ago she finally accepted me as play partner over a "mother figure" and involved me in her game. She was hyped and over excited and took my hand as playmate - even more she literally searched for it to play with. She usually never involved me into her games this directly - she let me watch, let me cuddle, let me mess for few second but this time we played and she was biting on my hand and shaking it on a careful way - just as I taught her to play with me when she was a kit. I know she could cause serious injury in such games but she kept that healthy way of it which caused no bleeding (still I felt her teeth very well even over 3 layer of clothes and let my skin a bit rubbed up, but nothing deadly). 

The older she gets the more open she turns towards me - not saying her trust getting deeper, I always have her trust, more like she involved me more in her life, in her ways and interacting with me as one of her own - which is a wonderful feeling!

And soon we turning 2 years old !

[eshu-the-vixen]

My words on the unfortunate and sad events with Miko

Hello everyone - this suppose to be a more serious post this time. 

I usually very far from exotic communities (I am member in many but only post when I actually have questions and not too social in any of these) because I already seen how much damage some haters can cause on these animals. Enough one misunderstood word or an argument which goes a bit too loud and the harm can be done immediately. 

I am more then aware of many events regarding foxes and fox owners. I follow a lot but I give little feed back because my goal is to learn and experience the wonders of living with foxes over get popular and have more attention on Eshu which I couldnt handle or deal with. This is why I never will tell you my real name, my address and anything personal information.

I am not hiding behind things - I am making sure my animal can not be hurt and for that I must cut off everything personal where haters could catch up to do their thing. 

I am always wary when seeing anyone with fox trying to open to the public with too much information given out. Names and sometimes even addresses - phone numbers. 

Humanity not entirely grown up for such responsibility for owning an exotic pet and really understand how dangerous this path can be (enough one report, or a bad word or just one single lie). I feel Miko became victim of... popularity. He suffered for this community but you can not blame for this now all owners - but certainly these loud news fame every other owner in the future.

I wish this to no one. No one.

Already loosing a cat, a dog, a hamster you love is heartbreaking, even if it is because of old age. Or cancer, or car, or poison or anything - it hurts us, we love them, we feel for them. My heart goes for Anda and her pain in Miko's loss and nothing can change my sympathy towards this now. I did see videos how well she handled him and could socialize him and for that she has my respect, Eshu is ways not this social and she can not interact with humans beside me and I know how much work and effort this calls from the owner.

I respect her for this, I can see with my own eyes her success and good work with Miko. And I hope she will find peace in her heart and her pain wont tear her up in pieces and sadness. I really feel for her - I would break for loosing Eshu for similar ways (I cant help I do put myself in her shoes in this matter).

But in other note, I previously mentioned I am not that surprised. I am sad to say but I am not. 

There were really ways too many lies and misinformation and shady notes about them already and it reminds me on the "boy who cried wolf" story which most possibly you all know. I cant help, but think that for Anda the popularity and to be famous was ways too important and this fox project of hers was built on popularity (which later I believe changed with Miko) and fighting for this she did mistakes which now catching up on her on a wrong way. 

I am an artist, I am perfectly aware how much it can mean to your self to be a bit of popular, how much encouragement it can give - so in first place I do no blame her for thinking this way. But I do find from her a bad move that she did it on a way to hurt other people - and fame people to the public, to her fans and by it send fandoms on certain people for bullying which is really low and very awful from anyone to do. We all know about Vader and it is still lingers in many peoples mind that the one who made the call was from Anda followers - and it did put an end to a wonderful fox's life, undeserved.

This hurts people. Call out others and call them a murderer without real evidences and prof is childish and really cruel thing to do. It could be Krystelle, it could be anyone else it could be a car accident even - and this "murder" - sorry people I can not help I do think this direction - sounds to me one last popularity call to people to make a big bang out of a very sad event. 

Prove me please differently and I pull my words back. 

Do not hurt us, and my baby for speaking out loud - I experienced internet bullying while I was innocent but had people hate me and it is terrible feeling and can cause mental break down and damage. 

Lets lit a candle, watch videos of Miko to remember him, and the joy he brought to many of us. Have him in our heart - but please do not try to pull his death on someone because someone who sadly made her words unstable to many with previous lies and misinformation turn this sadness into hate and rage. 

We only know one side of the story - not enough to make judgement and it hurts me to see how much pain and bad mouth on Krystelle being spoken of. If she really did that - though I see no reason for her to do - she will get judgment as it will be called animal cruelty as someone pointed out. 

It also painful to see people now question and blame every other fox owners - while many not served for it, not even be that active. 

I do not want "us" to be famous. I want us to be healthy, happy. I want us to learn from each other and I happily share my stories with her for those who wish to see more into life with foxes. 

And I want many people to think twice when they get any exotic animal to their household, as you see it is a dangerous field and not only because it is an exotic animal but because of.. the people. Do not let any animal to suffer for this, not worth - you can respect them without put them under risk. 

This all I wanted to add to this - sorry for the long post and I will lit a candle for Miko and wish to Anda to find peace. Losing a loved one not easy, and it never will be easy.

[eshu-the-vixen]

Today we had a wonderful photo session - could do many pretty fine shots with her still amazing winter fur. Also cuddly enough to have some close ups quite clear and sharp!

I am extremely happy with her, she is full of health and energy - and the last year MANY foxes of the same year as she died or passed away worldwide. I was terrified hearing all the news and got the fear what if she will also get some illness or anything - but luckily she is quite an opposite; super healthy!

Also soon she will be 2 years old, excited for her birthday!

[eshu-the-vixen]

We wish you very happy X-mas and Happy New Year! 

Freshly made photos after she got her christmas special meal which as you can see got her very cuddly and needy so could shot some lovely photos with her :)

We are doing still excellent, especially with filled stomach and hope everyone's celebrations will be great and comforting!

[eshu-the-vixen]

I really need to get my own camera, I could do a tone more photos that way.

But here we go the second winter fur about to grow, she is getting fuzzy and her tail a lot nicer then in her first winter fur. She is healthy, active, full of life and cheeky like always. And loves to eat my hair, lick into my mouth, scratch the shirts "up" on my shoulder and trying to pull my trousers off. As usual ;D

[swevenfox]

Here is my entry I made for Dragon Age: Inquisition poster contest entry held by Bioware. 

Today figured this one was selected into the finalists and my happiness and joy overfilled the day for sure. The public votings are open for the winners which you may enjoy browsing around here! 

[eshu-the-vixen]

As said one of my biggest success feel of this year that I could make it into the finalists with my entry, so out of happiness sharing this everywhere. 

Wish me luck as well ;D

[eshu-the-vixen]

Slice of Creativity

Collection of Dreams

Not only foxy, but I reviving my artblog again (I had a year long hiatus, recently drawing again, and have many foxy concepts already) so if you interested in visual works while I collecting useable photos of Eshu to upload feel free to follow me there too :>

Ps; Hopefully can soon bring some more photos, she started to grow her winter fur which means bushy fox tail photos :>

[eshu-the-vixen]

Some more fresh photo )

Yesterday cleaned the back garden and the pinetree the neighbour has make lots of dirt and troubles (the branches fall on our side) so we cut 2 bigger branches off which I recycled and placed them in her enclosure to make something change; something fun for her.

I had my chance to be present when she first checked them, and also at feeding time. She seemed hyper about the changes and were playing a bit "hide and run-into-my-face game". :)

Also as you can see could do some photo directly from her "den" while she is inside of it. That is enclusive if I may say that, since that is her safe spot and everytime someone close to it or doing something around it she goes aggressive to protect her home.

Not me, she even would let me pull her out of it if I would want, I literally cuddled her out from it. A trust which is unique and I surely treasure it a lot and high. Nobody else can touch her there, but as you can see if it is me she even enjoy the scratches and cuddles, she fell asleep in my hand once this way. :)

[maythefoxbewithyou]

Another fox lost to law enforcement ignorance.

Chloe Kristensen wants answers . She owned a pet fox, named Valo, that escaped her backyard and was euthanized by a nuisance trapped company.

I want to direct you guys to this video. Chloe’s pet fox, Valo, was euthanized by law enforcement after escaping from his enclosure. They claim it is because he was a “dangerous” animal. The kicker is that they never notified her before they did it or when they caught him. This is so sickening. It makes my heart ache for her. I know the pain she must be feeling and I cannot believe that this has happened. Please send some support her way!

[eshu-the-vixen]

and it keeps happening again ... :(

[eshu-the-vixen]

[eshu-the-vixen]

Had some quality time together in this heavy summer heat today and could snap some nice photos of her with the borrowed camera again. I thought I share some, she was so cuddly and open today. :)

[eshu-the-vixen]

2014 yearly vaccination at the vet.

[eshu-the-vixen]

Question for all

Curious question!

Since it is shedding time I have lots of very soft and clean fox fur now from Eshu. If I would make small lucky charms out of it, would be anyone interesed buying? 

Was thinking 10-15$ +shipping cost and the little cash I earn with would go for the shelter foxes support. ^^

[eshu-the-vixen]

Hi. I've just discovered your blog and i also read about vader's story, how people react to you and others keeping a pet fox etc and i can truly tell you that trying to show the world a fox can be domesticated is heroic and awesome. Pls dont give up

To tell the truth my case a bit different since I am volunteer and trusted person at a shelter which works partially as a sanctuary.

So my girl was not bought from a breeder but rescued orphan without a moher to raise her up and I was her caretaker up until she got all her vaccinations. I am working with them over 2 years so the idea to have her under my care was agreed upon and every vaccination or medical treatment she may need is recorded by the shelter as well. This and the fact that I refuse to give out personal information of myself as her caretaker our safe ticket to avoid people from the internet to harm us. If I would not have this safe background behind her I would not update such blog as this one for sure.

My blog's goal not to be a fox celeb and gather fans, but to keep it as a personal record which will be pleasant to look back and remind myself how a life started with her and what all changed slowly during the years she was growing up with me. My memory can be holed and I just not want to forget the details, too precious for that.

I am not saying now, that I am a special owner, just feel like my background makes a bit more safe for me to time to time still update this blog. I never trusted internet and online communities in my opinion more deadly like real life ones, since here you simply can not look into the eyes of your attacker and they can do their damage faceless without ever get responsible for their acts. This scares me and taught me to use faceless public activities as well for my own sanity. 

I not feel myself as a hero by posting blog anyway. It is actually a selfish blog, full of my experiences and my adventures and I rarely reblog from others to keep my blog "clean" and concentrate on my main subject. I of course appreciate all followers and if they have questions I reply them all! But my main goal not to satisfy my followers wish unless it is a wish include my girl or any fox from the shelter I am working with. 

About the domestication part I must say it is a lie. It is true russians ran a silver fox project to domesticate their subjects but as the wolf was not domesticated in 50 years but in 1000 a fox wont be domesticated in this life cycle I am living. A fox recently is a wild animal, and even if they have some values humans would love to capitalize on (their sharp senses for drugs for example) a fox is not like a domestic animal, it wont want to please you and do favors for you, it will want to live its own life the way it wants. Remember the fox not depending on you, and even a fox lives in captivity has natural genetics to still find a way to survive more or less of its own (another thing it may not be healthy and the lack of fear of humans will make it an easy prey, and ranch fox colours simply not for hiding in the nature with it) and has chance an escaped fox will never return to you.

The curly tail, the short legs some gave report about not sign of domestication but sign that the animal changed their life surrounding and with the years simply adopted the new living and "mutated" the way it is more surviveable for them there. A fox is a wild animal, anyone who ever thinks of having one must know what they are dealing with and must be aware they bring a wild animal to their home.

All those fluffy cute videos out there are videos/photos made by the fox personal caretakers the fox bonded with. Not means they will react the same cuddly way to a stranger, and a fox has special needs as well. You can socialize it indeed, but it wont be recognized as a domestic animal so people around you may make issues about it and truly better to keep such animal only at your own property and most possibly hidden from people to see. It is not impossible, and I would never get tired of helping out the shelter with their foxes, but dont want people to believe in fake information about this animal and jump into ownership unprepared which can result a dead fox and an unhappy human exowner. Seen too many of those. :(

[eshu-the-vixen]

And for now the last rescue you can meet with is Smirre. 

She is the same age like Eshu, just got a year old and one very sweet and friendly unique vixen. The one who flatten her ears, wags her tail and happy pee when you enter her enclosure and welcoming you with big joy and excitement. She tho not really allows human interaction only a bit but still welcomes you with excited vocals, tail wags and actually happ for the human company.

She was found by a family as young all alone no trail of siblings nor parents so the family took her in for a while. The unique thing is this family did not know about foxes so she was kept outside with low fence with their dog in the garden and she not escaped, she was open and pretty social vixen. As the family was quite normal they knew they just cant risk her life and they looked for her a more safe place to be and they personally asked the shelter to help her giving a safe and nice home. 

She was mothered up by Cleo and ever since they share the same enclosure and pretty happy there together. Like mother and daugther. )