For the past few years, Andrea Uppington has grown used to sharing her garden in the UK with a quiet — and wild — neighbor: a local fox who pays occasional visits.
Though naturally shy, the fox leaves behind plenty of evidence that he’s made himself at home.
“He still makes his presence known,” Uppington told The Dodo. “He digs up compost heaps, sleeps in the flower beds and sunshine, and buries eggs in the flower borders.”
Though Uppington has never tried to tame or befriend him, her backyard clearly offers a quiet kind of hospitality. And one night, the fox decided to take full advantage of it.
After returning home late from an evening out with friends, Uppington flipped on the patio light — and spotted an unforgettable scene.
There, nestled on her outdoor sofa, was the fox, curled up fast asleep on the cushions.
“I was surprised he didn’t move when the light came on,” she said. “He just looked very peaceful and in a deep sleep. I was so happy to see him that relaxed.”
Not wanting to disturb his rest, Uppington quietly turned the light back off and let him sleep.
By morning, the fox had gone, slipping away before dawn to continue his wandering.
But Uppington suspects he still drops by when she’s not watching — his faint paw prints on the cushions are a charming clue.
She welcomes his visits with open arms.
“I enjoy wildlife in the garden,” she said. “He is a joy to observe.”
