R.I.P Clarkson...

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 8:00 am

My beautiful boy, my beautiful Alpha Dog Fox Clarkson has died.

The one night I was In hospital last week, Peter said he showed up with one of his hind legs obviously broken.

Maybe If I had been there I could have caught him to get him medical treatment but even after 7 years, Peter can not get as close to the Foxes as I can.

Since that night, he was no-where to be seen and I feared the worst because his Alpha Vixen Instead of eating In-front of me, was gathering as many chicken legs as she could get In her mouth and returning to Earth. I guessed he may have been holed up trying to recover.

I did agonise with the Idea of searching the Earth for him this week In-case he had Internal Injuries also as the most likely scenario was, he had been hit by a car. However, to go rummaging In a Fox Earth would un-doubtably spook the rest of the family and they may have abandoned all together.

This morning we got a call from the Care-taker of the school to come and remove a dead Fox for him and Peter has just brought the body of my dear Clarkson home to bury.

Foxes only live for approx 2 years so I know I have been honoured to have him for 7 years.

Goodbye my beautiful boy

-1

Attached files

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 8:14 am

sorry to hear that:( ahhh and the world turns

:-4

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 8:28 am

7 years!! Your food must be good. Shame he had to die that way though. That's sad.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 8:33 am

Oh, may he be happy running in the beauty of heaven's field of joy. Hugs to you, oscar.:-4

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 8:36 am

OpenMind;1328396 wrote: 7 years!! Your food must be good. Shame he had to die that way though. That's sad.
Foxes can live up to 14 years In captivity and I suppose although I always observed him as a wild animal, he was semi-captive In that he had a good meal every night and enough to cache.

I am so upset that when he showed up with the broken leg, I was not here for him. Although I never hand feed, he would brush against my legs and particualy when I was bent down ( Less of a threat) his head would often be touching mine as he ate. If I was there, that would have been enough for me to grab him.

Peter Is upset also as that night, Clarky would not come close enough to him for him to help. Peter has seen me attend Injured Foxes many times and how to handle them but he says that even so, he would not have had the confidence to man-handle him as he was such a big Dog.

I like to think that had I of been there, Clarky would have just let me help.

It will be Interesting times now... There are several older cubs from early this year who will be getting up to all sorts of Malarky to take over as Alpha.... My money Is on 'Runty'.

As for the food... we buy chicken legs for them but the bulk comes from my dear friends food out-lets as they prepare fresh chicken every day. Peter picks up a bucket from them every 2 days but the Foxes especially love the Kebab meat that is left on the skewer every night. Full of fat, It Is a bonus for expecting Vixens and cubs during winter. They also get any left over burgers, chicken nuggetts etc etc.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 9:41 am

If Peter is worried the fox might bite him, the fox will smell the fear - even if it's not much. That smell tends to make any animal wary or jumpy. You probably know that anyway.

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 9:49 am

It's so sad when a beloved friend dies, whether they have 4 legs or 2. :-1 You mustn't think 'what if' Oscar. It may be that if he was in pain he might have bitten you badly as you tried to help him. Wild animals in pain feel vulnerable and will defend themselves. You have given Clarkson and his family the ability to live longer in the wild and he has been able to protect his family and his skulk for all this time.

I'm so sorry he has passed. I hope his family continue to visit you. Sending you a big hug. :yh_flower

probably · Post by **probably** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:10 am

Thought for a moment you were talking about St Jeremiah of Top Gear.

This is by far sadder news - my condolences.

You were privileged; I guess he was too.

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:30 am

However painful the likely hood of this sort of thing happening is very high. At least you have the other foxes to look after

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:42 am

So sorry Oscar he was a beautiful Fox...

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 2:17 pm

probably;1328424 wrote: Thought for a moment you were talking about St Jeremiah of Top Gear.

This is by far sadder news - my condolences.

You were privileged; I guess he was too. Thank You for your post... and you were close... We named Clarky after Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear after he was on 'Have I got news for You' some years ago whinging that a Fox had got his chickens. He also received a Police caution for deliberately running over a Fox one night.

In the 7 years he came to our garden with his family he had 3 Vixens.

At least this way, I know where he Is and what happened to him. When Foxes get old, they get ousted from the family for a younger usurper and often just drift off spending the rest of their days solitary.

I was privaliged to spend every night for 7 years with a wild animal who totally trusted me. Although he was a wild animal.... 7 years Is a long time and I loved him.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 2:19 pm

OpenMind;1328404 wrote: If Peter is worried the fox might bite him, the fox will smell the fear - even if it's not much. That smell tends to make any animal wary or jumpy. You probably know that anyway.
I will remember the night we were chatting away on the phone late at night. You asked what Mulder was barking at and I said... 'Clarkson's turned up'.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 2:23 pm

oscar;1328468 wrote: I will remember the night we were chatting away on the phone late at night. You asked what Mulder was barking at and I said... 'Clarkson's turned up'.

Ha ha. Oh yes. I remember that.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 4:06 pm

Rapunzel;1328406 wrote: It's so sad when a beloved friend dies, whether they have 4 legs or 2. :-1 You mustn't think 'what if' Oscar. It may be that if he was in pain he might have bitten you badly as you tried to help him. Wild animals in pain feel vulnerable and will defend themselves. You have given Clarkson and his family the ability to live longer in the wild and he has been able to protect his family and his skulk for all this time.

I'm so sorry he has passed. I hope his family continue to visit you. Sending you a big hug. :yh_flower
Thanks Rap... Yes, I do have approx 12 others coming to the garden right now, some cubs from earlier this year and they will get ousted as soon as rutting begins soon. They will go on to take new territories or muscle In where an Alpha has died.

Chonsi... That was a lovely thing to say and I hope there Is a Fox Utopia some-where where this beautiful species Is not the most persecuted of all species In the British Isles.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 6:21 pm

I am so sorry to hear this sad news Oscar.

May Clarkson's memory forever be in your heart:-4

R.I.P Clarkson

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 6:32 pm

Kathy Ellen;1328510 wrote: I am so sorry to hear this sad news Oscar.

May Clarkson's memory forever be in your heart:-4

R.I.P Clarkson

Thank You Kathy and for the lovely pic.

Some may say 'yeah yeah yeah It is just a Fox'... but he spent 7 years of his life with me. It sounds crazy but we had a bond.

I know I could have totally tamed him If I wanted to... we touched heads many many times. I was honoured In the trust this wild animal put In me. Every night In sun, rain, snow and hale, he was there.

Every year he would bring out his new born cubs to show me before holing them up for weeks.

I have just fed the Foxes tonight... Life goes on.... The older cubs are froliking In the garden unware of my sadness.

Yes, I have others but there will only ever be one Big beautiful boy... My Clarkson... and because of him I will continue the fight to protect and keep safe his species. :-1

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 6:45 pm

Good for you Oscar. The foxes need for you to fight for them:-4

I know how important Clarkson was to you. I cried when you posted this sad news.

He was a bonny, wee fella:-6

"The Fox"

by: BigFansRule

He prowls through the night,

Its crimson tail flashing,

Swiftly gliding through the scarce light,

Never stopping, always dashing.

He gracefully stalks his prey,

Gliding from patch of darkness, to patch of darkness,

Nothing can keep the imminent danger at bay,

For the graceful creature's only secret is aggressiveness.

He prowls through the night,

His crimson eyes piercing,

Gracefully gliding through the scarce light

Never stopping, always running,

The fox.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 7:08 pm

Kathy Ellen;1328515 wrote: Good for you Oscar. The foxes need for you to fight for them:-4

I know how important Clarkson was to you. I cried when you posted this sad news.

He was a bonny, wee fella:-6

"The Fox"

by: BigFansRule

He prowls through the night,

Its crimson tail flashing,

Swiftly gliding through the scarce light,

Never stopping, always dashing.

He gracefully stalks his prey,

Gliding from patch of darkness, to patch of darkness,

Nothing can keep the imminent danger at bay,

For the graceful creature's only secret is aggressiveness.

He prowls through the night,

His crimson eyes piercing,

Gracefully gliding through the scarce light

Never stopping, always running,

The fox. Thank You again Kathy.... That is lovely.

You know, those who hate Foxes.... I just wish they could have shared a little of what I had with him, maybe seen the family unit and the way they Inter-act. Even sharing a meal with the local stray cats. They hate them from afar and the truth Is, they will probably never be as privilaged as I was or will never be.

I feel like I have lost one of my dogs but as I said... Life goes on... There will be others but sadly for me, not him. He was a one off.

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 3:46 am

oscar;1328514 wrote: Thank You Kathy and for the lovely pic.

Some may say 'yeah yeah yeah It is just a Fox'... but he spent 7 years of his life with me. It sounds crazy but we had a bond.

I know I could have totally tamed him If I wanted to... we touched heads many many times. I was honoured In the trust this wild animal put In me. Every night In sun, rain, snow and hale, he was there.

Every year he would bring out his new born cubs to show me before holing them up for weeks.

I have just fed the Foxes tonight... Life goes on.... The older cubs are froliking In the garden unware of my sadness.

Yes, I have others but there will only ever be one Big beautiful boy... My Clarkson... and because of him I will continue the fight to protect and keep safe his species. :-1
I hope you didnt take offence to my comment oscar... this is just what i meant,, the circle of life

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 9:09 am

kazalala;1328544 wrote: I hope you didnt take offence to my comment oscar... this is just what i meant,, the circle of life

Not at all my little Current Bun... I knew exactly what you meant.

I will observe the family with great Interest over the next few weeks. There Is a possibility that even an older dog Fox ousted from another family may try to muscle In on the territory.

I will try to get some pics also.

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 10:40 am

oscar;1328578 wrote: Not at all my little Current Bun... I knew exactly what you meant.

I will observe the family with great Interest over the next few weeks. There Is a possibility that even an older dog Fox ousted from another family may try to muscle In on the territory.

I will try to get some pics also.
ah good:)

flopstock · Post by **flopstock** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 12:03 pm

I've always been torn between your love of animals or family -as to which I admire most about you. In any case, the notion you've lost one from either group, makes me sad for your loss.

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 12:33 pm

He (Clarkson) also received a Police caution for deliberately running over a Fox one night.

I dont want to make light of things and I understand the importance of the foxes in your life but is this really true. I cant believe the police would trouble themselves with such a thing if it were true and how could it ever be proved it was deliberate. Foxes are run over all the time.

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 12:35 pm

Snowfire;1328608 wrote: I dont want to make light of things and I understand the importance of the foxes in your life but is this really true. I cant believe the police would trouble themselves with such a thing if it were true and how could it ever be proved it was deliberate. Foxes are run over all the time.

The police shouldtrouble themselves with such a thing as animal cruelty:-2

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 12:38 pm

kazalala;1328610 wrote: The police shouldtrouble themselves with such a thing as animal cruelty:-2

You miss my point. I dont know how it could be proved that he did it deliberately, not that I think the police should get involved, or that I dont think animal cruelty isnt important. I question whether they did caution him

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 12:45 pm

Snowfire;1328608 wrote: I dont want to make light of things and I understand the importance of the foxes in your life but is this really true. I cant believe the police would trouble themselves with such a thing if it were true and how could it ever be proved it was deliberate. Foxes are run over all the time.

Snowfire;1328612 wrote: You miss my point. I dont know how it could be proved that he did it deliberately, not that I think the police should get involved, or that I dont think animal cruelty isnt important. I question whether they did caution him
I did get your point i just chose not to comment on it:wah: sorry but i know what you mean by how could it be proved he did it on purpose unless it was witnessed and he admitted it. The point i was making was in reference to the bit i bolded that you cant believe the police would trouble themselves, as i thought that was sad,, even if most likely true in some cases:-2

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 4:15 pm

Snowfire;1328612 wrote: You miss my point. I dont know how it could be proved that he did it deliberately, not that I think the police should get involved, or that I dont think animal cruelty isnt important. I question whether they did caution him He was cautioned after he bragged of It on TV. It Is Illegal to hinder, harm or deter a Fox from his Earth In Britain.

I can not go Into details but I do know a little more on the subject... Let us just say the words.... Trial... Celeb Lawyer... Celeb Lawyers previous client.... etc etc.... Letter to the Fox Killer via Celeb Lawyer telling him he was a ****....

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 4:18 pm

Every night for 7 years on seeing him outside my door waiting for his food, the first thing I would say was ... 'HI Ya Big Fella, How Ya Doin?

The last thing I said to him every night was ...' See you tomorrow... stay safe Big fella'..

Just going to feed his off-spring now.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 4:24 pm

flopstock;1328600 wrote: I've always been torn between your love of animals or family -as to which I admire most about you. In any case, the notion you've lost one from either group, makes me sad for your loss.
Some species have no voice Flop... they need us humans to scream from the roof-tops.

We got Fox Hunting banned In this country but they are still persecuted, poisoned, shot, maimed In traps, Hit by cars etc etc yet this Country has very few Indiginous species.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Wed Aug 25, 2010 2:10 pm

What a few days make In the Fox world.

Over the week the Alpha Vixen has been very bossy about the food but last night I got the shock of my life.

I went out as usual expecting to see the family and still sad at the loss of Clarky Boy.

Suddenly In the dark I became aware of some-thing near my legs and shining the flash-light down was a new, strange, huge Alpha Dog. I would estimate he stands around 17 Inches high.

I have no Idea where he has come from and I certainly have never seen him on my patch before. He was quite nervy of me at first but he was very very hungry, and the smell of chicken and lamb kebab meat from the bucket must have made him quite Inquisitive.

He stood eating a few feet from me and the Alpha Vixen and older cubs seemed to be observing a pecking order for the food once again. He also took absolutely no notice of the stray cats who seemed also keen to let him know that they get a share of the food also.

Let us see If he turns up again tonight....