Hi friends! Reef the fox here with your weekly “Reef’s Report”. I regret to inform you that on Feb. 2 I was bamboozled. Tricked. Deceived. Betrayed by the woman I trust most in this world.
My mother told me we were “going for a ride.” What she failed to mention was that the destination was, in fact, the veterinarian. Worse still, I was not alone. Penny and Louie were also rounded up, loaded in and transported under the guise of a normal outing. We should have known. No one loads three foxes with that much cheer unless something sinister is afoot.
Now, let’s address the reason for my particular summons. Months ago, I was assaulted by Isla, also known as the Red Devil. She scratched my eye in what I maintain was an unprovoked act of chaos. While I have healed emotionally (mostly), my eye has refused to cooperate. Enter the fancy veterinary ophthalmologist. Yes, that is a real thing, and yes, they touched my face. In a move I will never emotionally recover from, the doctor froze my beautiful eyelashes off. Froze them. Off. Apparently, this was to help the scratch heal “without interference.”
I would like it noted that my eyelashes have never interfered with anything except other foxes’ self-esteem. Penny and Louie, meanwhile, watched this unfold with the quiet judgment only siblings can provide. All three of us received our full annual exams, which included eye, ear, and mouth checks; full-panel bloodwork; fecal exams; and heart-worm tests. It was thorough. Excessively thorough. But I am pleased to report that we are all parasite-free and heartworm-free. As if there was ever any doubt. We are pristine.
While I do not enjoy the vet (and I never will), I understand why we go. This is part of responsible sanctuary work. Preventative care matters. Monitoring health matters. Catching issues early matters. You don’t wait until something is wrong, you stay ahead
of it. As my wise mother always says, “If you can’t afford to take top-tier care of animals, why have them?” And while it pains me to admit it, she is correct. Completely. Annoyingly. Correct.
So yes, I was bamboozled. Yes, I am currently missing some eyelashes. But I am healthy, cared for, and deeply loved, even if that love sometimes involves needles and frozen eyeballs.
Anywho. That’s all for this week. Until next time, Reef, over and out!
