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11 Jul 08 12pm…somewhere near Yubetsu…

Today i learnt how much of a city bloke i really am.

In a tiny pavilion on the wind-swept coast of northern Hokkaido, i came face to face with a Japanese Northern Fox.

Apparently we were both seeking refuge from the icy rain driven inland from the heaving Okhotsk Sea. Man and beast both scurrying from merciless nature.

The Northern Fox, or more accurately the Red Fox, had migrated to Japan from the Asiatic landmass. In ancient Japan, travellers were warned against fox spirits which possessed the unwary. In particular, a fox with nine tails was most feared as this meant unlimited power. In modern, rural Japan, the Red Fox has been known to wander inside houses, surprising unsuspecting owners.

When i stepped inside the pavilion, i noticed a sandy-colored animal curled up comfortably under the wooden bench. It never occured to me that i was in the presence of a wild animal. I was at the end of a road lined with fishermen’s homes on one side and tall shrubs on the other.

This wasn’t exactly the outbacks.

Surprised at seeing another living thing, i nodded imperceptibly at the animal as if thanking her for allowing me to share her shelter. She blinked at me with her big, black eyes and looked away. I thought i was looking at a dog.

I walked back to the car and pulled my wife from the warm, cozy cocoon she’d made for herself in the few minutes that i was gone.

“You’ve got to see this. There’s a cute doggy in the pavilion!” I was slobbering with the excitement of sharing my discovery.

“Are you sure it’s a dog?” My wife squealed when she saw it. “It sure looks like a fox to me.”

Now this is one question i can answer and i gave a loud and, dare i say, impatient “Yes of cause it’s a dog!”

Satisfied with my reply and gloating slightly, i turned my attention to the frothy sea and started recording a video. A few seconds later, the “dog” decided that she’s had enough of two gawking human. She slunk off and that’s when i saw it.

A big, bushy tail bobbing in her wake.

“Dog my foot!” My wife obviously had to rub it in.

The fox turned and gave us one last glance before disappearing into the bushes.

For a brief moment, man and beast looked eye to eye.

I was pretty damn sure she nodded knowingly at me, as if telling me that she’s had her rest and is letting us have the whole pavilion to ourselves.