The Answer to Life's Big Question

Photograph by Joel Sartore

I now know the answer to "What does the fox say?" In the middle of the night last night, I heard a horrible commotion outside. It could have been a dying bird, but it sounded more like a woman screaming incoherently about something. It didn't sound painful. In fact, it was almost playful, yet urgent. And loud. So, so loud. Go to bed, drunk woman!

My little fat dog, Luna, decided that she needed to protect the homestead by quaking soundlessly then making low growling noises under her breath. I think she was suffering from that middle-of-the-night disorientation we all can experience. Being the stealth person I am, I slithered along the floor and popped my head up just above the windowsill, having to continually push fat dog out the way to get a better view. We found ourselves vying for the same space.

I think Luna and I saw her together. I had to use my hand as a muzzle over Luna's mouth to keep her from barking. The red fox found her way under a street light and continued to make the same screaming, howling noise until a local farm dog (who is about 200 years old, I might add), chased her away. Fox came back. Farm dog chased her away again. This happened over and over, the poor old farm dog becoming more winded with each chase. 

My husband, feeling left out, popped his head up over the sill of the other window, then realized he couldn't see anything and had to go get his glasses. None of us are great in the middle of the night. Then we laughed at the show. The brazen fox vs. the brave farm dog. I love nature.

Why was that fox carrying on so? We have a theory she was trying to get to her den of babies in the woods behind a neighbor's house. The old lady farm dog would not let it happen. Or, who knows? Maybe the fox was rabid or just trying to be annoying. 

But the mystery is gone. I know what the fox says and my day is complete.