KEY LARGO’S PAWSITIVE BEGINNINGS CELEBRATES 3 YEARS OF FIELDING FOXES

Picking up Reef the fox from Minnesota in early May 2021, Nicole Navarro drove 26 hours back to the Keys with the fox. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly

Hi friends! Reef the fox here with your weekly “Reef’s Report.” Well, my mom left bright and early Thursday morning to go on a super secret mission up north. Any guesses on where she might be going or what she might be doing? 

I know, but I have been sworn to secrecy, for now. I think she will let me report on it next week so make sure to check back. On March 18, Pawsitive Beginnings celebrated its three-year anniversary. Can you believe it? For three years my mom, Nicole Navarro, has been giving foxes like me a second chance at life here in the Florida Keys. It all started with my momLouie and Libby from a Minnesota fur farm. My mom had this to say about the special day:

“Three years ago in a world that was very uncertain I followed my heart, set aside my fears and took a leap of faith. Three years ago, I didn’t even have plans to start taking foxes yet, but I knew in my heart big things were on the horizon. This incredible Florida Keys community has supported the foxes and I every step of the way. Way down here, at the end of the road, seven foxes have found their freedom and are embraced by this quirky little island chain every single day. The Florida Keys celebrate uniqueness, and foxes in Key Largo are certainly that. 

Louie lounges inside his pen in Key Largo while Libby positions herself on a bed above. The two foxes were saved from a Minnesota fur farm. CONTRIBUTED

“Where else in the world could Reef the Fox have been named “Best Local Celebrity”?

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”

I wonder if mom has any plans to bring home another fox this year? She hasn’t said anything to me about it, but she has been known to forego my expert opinion and do what she wants. So we will see. I know my mom also met up with Liv Ullmann again a few days ago to work on a special project. I don’t know what it was but once I know the details, I will share them with my loyal readers, that’s for sure. 

Events coming up: Gardenia’s Bistro, located at 88720 Overseas Highway in Tavernier, is hosting a “Give Back Bingo” night for the foxes of Pawsitive Beginnings on April 5 at 6:30 p.m. It’s free admission, the bistro will be open selling food and nonalcoholic drinks, but you can bring your own beer. All donations raised from the six rounds of bingo will be donated to Pawsitive Beginnings and mom will be there calling numbers and handing out prizes for each round’s winner. So mark it on your calendar and head on down. I will remind you next week again, don’t worry.

Anywho, that’s all for this week, until next time, Reef, over and out!

Reef the Fox
Reef was born on a fur farm on or around March 28, 2021. He was able to be rescued when his mother and siblings started to reject him. Reef is missing toes on his front, right paw and the tip of his tail is missing due to injuries sustained in his short time on the fur farm. Reef arrived at Key Largo on May 6, 2021 by Nicole Navarro, of Pawsitive Beginnings Inc.