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@juniperfoxx

I have wanted to own a pet fox ever since I was about five years old watching “The Fox and the Hound” (I still cry every time she takes Todd back into the woods). The fad stopped for a while until recently when I was cutting down my extensive bucket list to just about 100 adventures. As I was doing this I came across a bullet point from a while ago that read, “Own an exotic pet.” It only took me about two seconds to remember the inspiration behind that aspiration.

I decided to keep that as one of the 100 list. I finished all of my work in class recently and started to think about the different exotic animals I could own. I thought about foxes first, of course, but decided to continue exploring the topic for a bit, first looking at legality in the state of Virginia. As it turns out, not only can you own a fox (of any kind), but also an otter, a hedgehog or even certain types of bears.

I do want an exotic pet very much, but at the same time it must be somewhat attainable and manageable to take care of; that strikes off bears for a number of reasons including morality. Hedgehogs are extremely cute and loveable but that raises the question, are they capable of loving you back? The answer is unclear so that knocked off hedgehogs. Now it’s between two of my favorite animals, fox and river otters (sea otters have scandalous relationships with baby seals that’s why I only have interest in river otters). Both are playful; foxes are smart and otters are funny. Then all at once my decision was suddenly made clear.

My classmate introduced me to the instagram account @juniperfoxx. Let me tell you, if you have ever thought even for a second about owning a fox, this little girl will eliminate every doubt you’ve ever had. I immediately fell in love with Juni and the idea of having a fox. The account does not promote this mentality because foxes are a bit of a handful but YOLO it’s already on the bucket list. And rule number one of having a bucket list is what is put on the list, stays on the list. No chickening out is permitted.

Foxes stink, they are far too rambunctious and they will dig inside your house. Yes, they are wild animals, but more specifically they are domestic wild animals. If they were to be put back in the wild they would not survive because they are too tame. With that said, if you are planning to get one you have to make sure your breeder is actually selling domesticated foxes. Taking a wild fox and putting it in your home just won’t work, and furthermore it isn’t ethical. Juniper is a red fox, which are not always domestic. To be sure you are getting a domestic fox, the marbled ones are not found in the wild, so that is a sure fire way to know you are getting the right fox.

They are the perfect mix between a cat and dog. They are extremely smart, meaning they are easily trained and further easily trained to use a litter box. If they are socialized as kits (baby foxes) they will attach to their owner and become the fluffiest cuddle buddy on the planet, laying in your lap and willingly going on walks.

All of this might make me sound crazy, but I swear I’m not. Foxes are the perfect pet and I fully intend to have one. As soon as I have my own house that is.