I have tried to talk to the fox feeders about what they are doing. They do not listen. They get angry and tell me that some people don't want dogs on the green belt, referring to the two border collies tied to my waist. They yell and cuss at me and accuse me of stalking them. I tell them no, I am just on my way home, that I live up on the hill there.

Red foxes are small, about the weight of a cat (9 pounds). They look much larger than they are because of their long legs and long bushy tail with white tip on the end. They are absolutely beautiful in the red winter coat now. In May when the babies come out of their den I watch them play with each other, rolling and tumbling in the new grass. They watch me and my dogs, standing on the dirt mound at the den entrance, big cute rounded heads and large bright eyes. Their mom comes running up and barks at them, which is a signal to head for cover. They hear the call and dissapear undergound.

It is not pleasant when the foxes sit and watch me pass, studying my every move to see if I will feed them. They are smart and have learned that humans often bring tasty dog biscuits and chicken and even raw fatty hamburger. When they eat too much of this it effects the sleek beautiful nature of their natural coat. Their coat becomes more tan and yellow, mottled, due to their junk food habit.

The problem with the fox feeders will probably take care of itself though, because of their stupidity. Coyotes recently have also learned that this is an easy place to get food. They have moved in and begun to chase the foxes out. The foxes don't sit and watch me anymore. They are usually under cover, in the cattails and willows, or up on the north ridge.

Coyotes have approached me and my dogs several time, hoping to get a handout. One of them bluff charged my two dogs on their leashes, coming up to within about 10 feet before he stopped. I pulled out my pepper spray, just in case.

These large coyotes would probably kill each of my dogs within two or three minutes. I am sure my dogs are amateur killers compared to the coyotes.

One of the green belt walkers told me that one of the coyotes tried to breed a domestic dog walking with her owner a couple of weeks ago (probably off leash).

Coyotes are not small and cute like the foxes. Their habit of eating pets is well documented. They have been known to kill small children in the Western US. (one killed a toddler girl in California a few years back).

One of the fox feeders called me an 'idiot' last week. He is an older man, set in his ways, who will not be told anything. He is friends with likeable white-haired Al, who has called himself the 'Mayor of the Green Belt' in public meetings.

On my walk two days ago I saw Al standing with his grocery bag full of food for the foxes. A coyote was about 6 feet away from him. Al repeatedly reached into his bag and pulled out food and tossed it to the coyote.

12/28/96