Drenched FoxLate in May, we received a message from a Thorton Police Officer stating that he had rescued a baby fox from a bad situation and to call Adams County Animal Control. When we tried to call it was a recording only; we couldn't reach anyone or leave a message. We called the Thorton Police and left a message that we wanted the kit but needed a good number. As it was late in the day, we didn't feel there was much hope in rescuing the young fox that night. We were worried that he was being held in the same room as the abandoned, barking dogs...scared, confused, and uncomfortable. The next morning Adams County Animal Control called us regarding the fox. We made arrangements to pick him up. We were delighted to find him in a room shared with only a ferret. But he was scared and confused. He was only about six weeks old, his fur was a rich gold and his eyes were brown with gold flecks. Absolutely beautiful. He weighed about 3 1/2 pounds. We then got the story on the bad situation that the fox had been in. The Thorton Officer, while on duty, drove into the middle of a mess on 88th Ave. It was pouring rain. There were cars veering, some stopping suddenly and people, on foot, running around and between the cars. The Officer stopped, the lights went on and he investigated the melee. Among all of this chaos and noise was our little fox, dodging humans and cars. There were several people trying to catch the fox and he was terrified. The officers put a halt to it immediately. Once things were calm, the fox stopped dashing about and running and the officer walked over and simply picked him up. The fox was drenched from the rain, which added to his pathetic appearance. We thank this wonderful officer of the law. Who knows what would have happened to the little fox if he hadn't intervened. We are reassured to know that there is such a compassionate police officer in Thornton. The little kit is now dry, comfortable and no longer terrified. He is eating like a king and awaiting transfer to our friends in the mountains. He will be joining other foxes his age and be released in the fall when he's matured. |