So, I've been thinking, I'll need to reduce my gallery since there are pictures that have many repeats or have many of the same topic (not the animals per say, but pictures that look too similar to each other). You'll still be able to see all of them, BUT, this will be differently. Over the course of the next day or so, I will be deleting many of the similar pictures and keeping the best of the best, but what's going to be different is let's say I have six similar looking pictures, I delete five, post the best one, but on the one, I post links to the others I deleted. That way, people will still be able to see them and post comments without flooding FA. This was not an easy decision to make; so yes, some pics won't be accessible HERE, but on an outside source, so please, if you wish to comment, by all means, I love to hear everyone's feedback, it means a lot to me to have such wonderful people support me.

Summary: The repeat/similar pictures will still be there, just on Photobucket and/or Facebook


Please understand, this is not a reflection of anyone here, nor am I intentionally trying to delete comments, but giving people an opportunity to continue giving feedback. I am SO on the verge of crying due to my stupidity in flooding what should be primarily an art site. Not only that, but I really should have just posted these pictures on a blog or something, you know? Damn, I must sound like a sappy fool right now. But, I can use a blog to allow you to look at the pictures that were purged

http://foxesarebetterthancats.blogspot.com/

Again, the pictures that are being purged (due to being too similar) will still be available. Just on a different site. It shouldn't be too bad.

Animals are truly wonderful, they make us happy, they help us get through the trials of the day, heck, they even make us laugh by their quirky behavior. I have been watching fox videos on YouTube for quite some time, in addition, I have been frequenting Sybil's Den, a forum dedicated to caring for and observing exotic and domesticated pets. Over time I continue to look at videos, and eventually, my currently internship working with animals as I have mentioned before. As time goes on, people begin to comment on my photo and how I handle being around the fox, then they eventually convey to me the potential they see, me being one who would be a good owner and caretaker for such a unique animal. Not only that, but they also told me that they would be there to help me and support me while I raised the kit. This hits me like a lightning strike, I was taken aback. I admit that I got teary-eyed at the compliment, something I rarely do.
There are incontrovertibly many fears and concerns that I have when the time comes, these include but aren't limited to, premature death, disease, legality, and people complaining about my having a so-called “wild” animal. There are risks involved, but that should not be a reason to be afraid. One cannot expect to have success without failing, something I try to teach myself to remember everyday. They are very high maintenance animals, expensive and can be stressful, however, there is one aspect that gets me, the love and affection they can show. The ability to form a bond of love and trust with such a quixotic animal, their high levels of intelligence, their adorable appearance, and moreover, they make us laugh due to their limitless energy levels and funny behaviors. Indeed, it will be an undertaking doing the research, finding a full time job and finding out where in Utah they're legal.
So why a fox and not a cat or a dog, some may ask. Simple, foxes act like a combination of both, and some call them a catlike canine when it comes to their quirks, their behaviors and personalities, and all-in-all, having a chance to raise one, get it to love me and I love it back, a reciprocating relationship with an animal like that means a lot to me, and I firmly believe all animals, domesticated or exotic, deserves all the love and care it can get. In my opinion, that is what truly matters when owning and taking care of animals. By my saying this, it goes against what many people do whenever they learn of someone getting such a pet, saying it's cruel, evil or somehow immoral to imprison a fox or coyote due to it being “wild” and “rabid” when that couldn't be farther from the truth.

If the animal is happy and in optimal mental and physical, if the owner is happy, has common sense and copious experience with handling an exotic animal, isn't that what matters the most. Being able to have one of my own would be a dream come true, as would having a coyote. Just wanted to let y'all know that this is a goal of mine, and that I'm pretty dang serious about wanting to aim for it. It will be difficult, it will be stressful, it will be expensive, but it will also be the chance of a lifetime. This is something I would never jump the gun on, and I will see to it I plan every possible scenario to ensure he or she has the best life with me as possible. For names, I haven't thought up any yet I currently cannot house a fox due to being in an apartment, so it'll be a while. But by all means, comments/feedback are always welcome!

I would like to take the time to thank all those who are watching me, adding my photos to their favorites or those who love animals for the 3000 views I have gotten so far! It means a lot to me to share my passion of animals with this community. I'm glad to be part of such a welcoming and open community like Furaffinity! Thank you, everyone, I will be sure to update with as many animal-related pictures and my adventures with them as much as possible

It means a lot to me to be part of an community that is so open to my sharing pictures and stories.

Just to help clear things up, I'll use this opportunity to give some background as to what it is I do, why I do it, and how it's helped me deal with stress and anxiety. First and foremost, I love animals, they give me joy and they deserve our love and respect. Heck, I've loved them since having a dog and a few cats while growing up, and the psychology behind the animal-human bond has always fascinated me. I grew close to them and they felt like a part of our family, but when they were euthanized (terminal illnesses, renal failure), I was pretty sad about it. Since then, we didn't have any pets, however, a couple of years ago, I started looking at articles that mentioned the domestication of foxes; this piqued my interested and thought to myself "they can keep foxes as pets!? That's awesome!" I immediately began watching videos, the first one I recall was from user foxialbiazul, or Eric and his fox Ron Ron. I fell in love with foxes right then, because I never thought they could be such loving and affectionate animals <3

The video I first saw was this one (I believe) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82ah1oBMaUE and it's absolutely adorable, seeing him rolling on his back, mouthing his owner's fingers and making a myriad of noises in excitement. This is what reaffirmed my love for canids. I then eventually joined an exotic animal forum called Sybil's Den and I lurk for a while, looked at all the pets people had, anywhere from coyotes, to wolfs, to anteaters to foxes. I then noticed that one of the moderators was from Utah as well, and I reached out to her, told her a bit about myself and how I loved foxes. She then told me of the sanctuary not too far from where I live now (Provo) and that they had a super tamed fox who loved people. Wild Wonders, located in Genola, about 50 km (30 mi) from here, and told me the names of the owners, Spencer and Sarah Jacobsen. I gave them a call, tell them how I really wanted visit and play with the fox. So my family and I go, naturally I was apprehensive as I had no idea what to expect or how a fox would act.

The husband proceeds to let me in Skitter's (the fox) enclosure and told me foxes like to mouth as a means of a sensory mechanism. This caused my heart to pound faster, but I called her name, she ran right towards me, started licking me, rolling around, climbing up my leg....suffice to say my heart exploded from the cuteness and unadulterated affection she showed me. Foxes became one of my favorite animals along with coyotes and wolves. Then he showed us Tazzina, who went absolutely lovey-dovey around us, and my heart exploded once more. It was a truly magical moment for me and it was something that became insatiable. A few months go by (this was in March or so of this year), I then learn about internships from the mod who told me about sanctuary and how she interned there a while back. I ask Sarah about doing it and at first she wasn't sure due to the number of applicants. However, a few weeks after, she informed me that I would become an intern during the Summer, indescribable was my joy! The first day I got there, I went through the ropes of what is to be expected of me (cleaning out cages, refilling water dishes and pools), but after that, I was allowed in Skitter's cage, and it reaffirmed yet again that I'm not only lucky to play with an exotic animal, but that what I do gives me purpose; taking care of animals and they repaying me with love is an invaluable reward.

I would also like to take the time to thank everyone who has either liked my pictures, commented on them, added me as a person to their watch list, or those who just look at my profile just for the heck of it. I will continue to update are frequently as possible, and I hope you continue to enjoy them as much as I do.

This is my first journal entry, so please bear with me :P