I got bad news last night that the two elderly foxes at the EcoMuseum didn’t survive the winter. I feel odd – a group of friends got together and adopted one for me for twelve months as a birthday gift last year (quite possibly the best birthday present I’ve ever received – I can’t think of others which have thrilled me that much as this one did!). Rusty was my personal favourite, although Claudius had his charm. Now they’ve both gone to foxy-heaven where I am sure they will dance with mice before eating them whole, sun themselves, and play hide and go seek in long waving grass, striped with sunlight and shade.

The good news is that the EcoMuseum will be receiving fox kits as replacements! So I’ll have to go along and see them and pick one that I will cherish as my very own – at least until my last four months are up.