CUMBERLAND: A pet fox, it seems, has the homing instinct of a well-cared for and intelligent dog. Rufus, the young fox who in April was dug out of an earth on the fell side near one of the lakes, was lately taken to Cheshire and spent a fortnight in a hunting country. He accompanied his master on his rambles, but one evening he went into a covert and failed to return.
A vigorous, almost a frantic search was made for him. It was dreaded, since he has no fear of dogs and approaches them with all the trustfulness of a puppy, that he might be attacked and killed by a spaniel or retriever. But he could not be found.
Two of the household remained up all night, and went out again at dawn to look for Rufus. They met him crossing the lawn. Somehow or other he had nosed his way back. The griminess of his coat almost suggested that he had been among the village ashbins.
I saw Rufus the other day. The bracken and the heather had restored the glossiness of his coat. He looked what he is – a typical fell fox.
