Friends, I have been through a lot in my five years on this planet. I survived the fur trade. I survived losing toes. I survived my annual veterinary appointments. But nothing, and I mean nothing, could have prepared me for the great enclosure renovation of 2026.
For weeks, my peaceful sanctuary was invaded by men carrying ladders, drills, saws and enough tools to rebuild the Seven Mile Bridge. Every morning I would wake up hoping they had finally gone home, only to discover they had returned with even more equipment and what appeared to be an endless supply of lumber.
Fortunately, the kind folks at Island Villa Construction turned out to be excellent house guests. They worked carefully, respected our routines and somehow managed to completely rebuild our enclosure without any of us deciding to make a break for Publix. This incredible project was made possible thanks to a generous $20,000 grant from the Marion and Richard Graham Foundation, proving once again that some humans make exceptionally good decisions.
Every panel of our original stainless steel welded wire has now been replaced with sleek black-coated welded wire. It’s modern. It’s elegant. It’s a luxury fox resort. Apparently, the black coating isn’t just for aesthetics. My mother says it will stand up to South Florida’s absolutely disrespectful salt air for years and years to come. I must admit, the new fencing photographs beautifully. It really makes my white fur pop. Coral says it makes her look sophisticated. Isla insists she’s the reason the whole place looks good. Louie is still hiding under the bed in the air conditioning and has yet to acknowledge that construction even happened. Business as usual.
Watching humans work is fascinating. They spend hours measuring things, cutting things, replacing things and discussing things. Then my mother walks outside and says, “That looks great!” as though she had anything to do with it. Classic management.
To the Marion and Richard Graham Foundation, thank you for believing that seven formerly exploited foxes deserved a home built to last.
