Chasing Foxes | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Chasing Foxes | Previous Challenge Entry
By Bud Young
07/15/05
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My dad and I were taking a morning walk at the local state park. He was boring me to tears with a lesson on the advantages and disadvantages of the various pop-up campers and fifth-wheels that filled the campsites on either side of the gravel road. Our two beagles, Fred and Ginger, were fortunate enough to be too busy with their synchronized patrol of the surrounding weeds to pay attention. When we turned the first corner, Fred and Ginger suddenly pulled hard on the leash and started barking and howling at the top of their lungs. There is nothing like the bark of two beagles to crack the serenity of a new morning, so we tried to hush the incensed dogs. I was struggling to hold onto the leash when my dad said, “Hold tight son, there is a fox near the tree line.” I looked up and saw the red rascal looking back at Fred and Ginger. The fox turned and went about his business without much consideration of his noisy cousins. Apparently, the fox had enough and made his way into the woods. Fred and Ginger whined with frustration. I leaned down and consoled them by scratching behind their ears.

My father commended me for restraining our dogs and said, “We will have to keep them on a leash with foxes around.” I didn’t like that idea, so I asked why. Dad started with “Well, son.” At this point I knew another lecture was coming. He continued. “Foxes are clever and mischievous animals. They would lead our dogs on a long chase, staying far enough ahead to avoid being caught, but staying close enough to keep the chase going. By the time our dogs would give up, they may not be able to find their way back. Life can be like that sometimes.” “How so?” I asked before I could stop myself. “Well,” he grinned knowing he had my full attention. “You can have an idea that looks great and at first it is a lot of fun. But after chasing it, all you get is frustrated and tired. The idea is like that fox. It teases you enough to keep you interested, but before long you realize it was just a waste of time. Then you look around and find yourself in a place that you don’t want to be and unable to find your way back.” I pretended like I understood just to get him to stop the lecture. Fortunately, as we continued our stroll, he concluded the lesson. “Son, you should always consider where a fox may lead you before you chase it.”

I often scoffed at my father’s lectures. As a result, I have chased a few foxes. I have learned the hard way just how wise my father’s advice is. We would all do well to consider the consequences before chasing foxes.

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