A fox has been stealing our shoes.

Last Saturday, one of Neil’s garden shoes went missing. This Saturday, one of mine disappeared.

We each keep a pair of quick and weather-resistant shoes on the deck, for when we need to pop out to the gardens and chickens.

We knew the culprit was almost certainly a critter. A quick internet search turned up near unanimous agreement on the sole suspect – a fox. 🦊👟

And based on the comments I received when I posted this to my Instagram stories, apparently “foxes like to steal shoes” is common knowledge???

From what I’ve read, in the earlier part of the year shoes left outside go missing when adult foxes steal them as toys for their kits. And later in the year, it’s young foxes bringing them back as tokens of their adventures.

How on earth can I be mad at that?

Once again though, I am forced to question the scope of my childhood education. How did I not learn about Ontario’s glow-in-the-dark mushrooms? Or her whistling timberdoodles? Or fluttering silk moths the size of your hand? Why is there no children’s book called “The Fox Who Loves Shoes”? And also, how are we not talking about that foxes like to steal shoes ALL👏THE👏TIME. Because that my friends, is a conversation starter.

This is our 9th year living here. And just when I think I have some sense of things, a fox knicks my footwear. Like the mouse who took my wasabi peas and stored them in my motorcycle boot, critters never cease to amaze me.

I am bummed about losing my sandal. It’s made of an upcycled tire, and I’ve had them for about fifteen years – still going strong. But on the flip side, I’ve had an old tire stashed here for ages, squirreled away to try making tire sandals myself. So maybe this is the sartorial nudge I needed to start experimenting? So… thank you?

And in other small mercies, the fox did leave us with both a L and a R. Thoughtful.

Have a good week folks! Stay tuned for my new children’s book. You’ll never guess what it’s about… ;)