We’re not the only ones who know there’s a groundhog living under our deck…

I see fox sign all the time in the woods. Paw prints and scat and scent. I don’t see them in person very often though. But this bold juvenile stopped by for a visit the other day, having a good sniff around exactly where Chris-gopher the Groundhog is currently living under our deck.

Can you imagine having a nose like that? I mean, I can sniff out fresh bread and warm cookies, but I can’t follow my nose to find a chipmunk that’s bunking at the next door neighbour’s. Unless it just baked cookies.

This beauty had a good look around, but left with no groundhog. I don’t know if it’s been back since. I am neutral in this matter. When a fox hunts a groundhog, it is doing what a fox do. It is looking for a meal, it is trying to survive. When a groundhog outwits a fox, it is doing what a groundhog do. It is trying not to be a meal, it is trying to survive.

The line of “good” and “bad” animals is drawn in different places for different people. Born out of our personal stew of cultural baggage, biases and bruises.

Painted turtles good, snapping turtles bad. Dangerous animals and tame animals. Clean animals and dirty animals… Cute animals and ugly ones. Even “predator” and “prey”. But the more critters I encounter, the more I learn about them… Well, nothing’s that simple.

My theory is many of these divisions come from discomfort with our own complexity. Shame over own times of growling, or being dirty or disheveled or annoying. That we think creatures have to be cute and cuddly to be loved and loveable. When we can’t appreciate our own shades of grey, we so often miss the beauty of their — and our — complexity. Fierce and delicate, all at once.

“It’s not by accident that the pristine wilderness of our planet disappears as the understanding of our own inner wild nature fades.” ~Clarissa Pinkola Estes

A world without good and bad guys is a more confusing and beautiful place to be. The truth is so much more interesting. So much more compelling and frightening. So much more… hopeful.

Have a great weekend folks 💚