To not want to double bag a dead fox

[marryinhaste]

I noticed this morning that the fox I saw "sleeping" in my back garden yesterday is still in the same position, and there's quite a lot of flies buzzing around it.

I called my local authority out of hours number, and was told there's no out of hours service for this (fair enough) but that I should double bag the body and leave it on my driveway for street services to pick it up on Monday. Really? It's a full grown fox, and I couldn't even face going out there to look closely.

I've recently separated from H, and have been facing all the challenges I meet head-on, but this seems a step too far for my bravery! Am I being pathetic? Also, H is being rubbish with contact so unless I want to do it in the dark, the kids will be looking over my shoulder while I do it.

[UnrequitedSkink]

Oh give her a break, she's just split up with her H and it's a smelly dead fox! Ask the teenage son tomorrow OP.

Incidentally, did you notice the name of the taxidermist in N1? If it's the one I know of, they're called Get Stuffed

[scarletforya]

Council employees get paid to do a lot less needed things than this....sweeping up leaves in the park for example is hardly a priority really.

[AmberLeaf]

My 16 year old son has said he will do it for you!

We are possibly not that far from you, PM me you area and I'll see if its reachable by bus.

[flossy101]

Oh god OP I really feel for you! I'm not sure i could do this. Hope you get it sorted.

[dearcathyandclare]

I just despair sometimes at stuff like this. Just do it and then pat yourself on the back for coping. It really is no big deal and will teach you and your children that you can and will cope with or without a DP.

[dearcathyandclare]

And if you leave it much longer the rats will find it and thank you for their meal ticket.

[ladymariner]

What do you think is going to happen op? It's just a dead fox. Not a nice thing to deal with but it's hardly going to hurt you, is it. Honestly, the quicker you deal with it the better you'll feel xx

[FromEsme]

Unrequited I was thinking the same! I always laugh when I walk past there.

This has to be the best thread title of the day.

And OP I think you're getting a hard time. I'm not that squeamish, but I would be wary of getting near a dead fox as well. It does have to be done though.

Get yer gloves on tomorrow, get a spade and get scoopin. You'll have that fox double bagged in a jiffy.

[marryinhaste]

Apart from anything else, I have no-one to take the kids if I were to do it. They are 4 and 2, and the 2 year old in particular would be right in there - I'm not too keen on that.

I have been showing them that we can cope so far - and this will be no different. It's just that my way of coping will involve getting someone in to do it for me

[VerySmallSqueak]

I think those of us who can do this sort of thing without bothering about it should count ourselves lucky rather than giving the OP a hard time.

I feel for you OP. But I really think you need to take a deep breath,march yourself out there and do it.We all have to do things at times that we dread or think we can't do - and this is one of those times.

Good luck!

[marryinhaste]

Unrequited - it was Get Stuffed! What made me laugh even more was their one review - "unfriendly and surly" or something similar. Sounds like they take the name seriously

[TinyDancingHoofer]

I think you need to take a deep breathe and get it done. Really not that much hassle, yes it might smell but it'll smell worse if you leave it.

[dearcathyandclare]

Ok Op your DC are little but are they in bed now?If so do it now while you are here and we can all sound the trumpets to herald your success. Get 2 bin bags some gloves or carrier bags a torch and go for it! Go on do it!!!!

[dearcathyandclare]

Do it !!!

[FromEsme]

Ach, come on now, does she really want to be doing it in the dark? Wait til morning OP when you can get a good look at the big hairy bastard while you decide how to tackle it. Otherwise you're just going to be hacking away in the dark.

[ladymariner]

Hacking???? Crikey Esme, that's going for it

[marryinhaste]

Slight problem in that I don't have a torch.

And I really cannot be unreasonable not to want to do it in the dark - I'd want to see the maggots/rats/exploding/expelling fox I'm dealing with!

[TidyDancer]

I'm surprised you called the council tbh!

I think you really need to just brace yourself and deal with this, it's not that big of a thing. Shut the DC inside the house, it will be fine for all of five minutes and just do what needs to be done.

[marryinhaste]

X post esme

[dearcathyandclare]

Fair do's OK put the telly on first thing for the DCs and while they are pre-occupied just get out there. If they catch you tell them that sometimes being a grown up means doing stuff that they can't help with so go back in and watch more TV

[dearcathyandclare]

I doubt there will be maggots in November. You can do this you know OP .You will have dealt with worse recently by the sounds of it.Tap into that knowledge.

[CasperGutman]

OP, you should really get a torch. What if there was a power cut? It's a safety issue -- how would you ensure the safety of your kids if you couldn't see anything?

[shockers]

If there are flies, there will be maggots sooner or later.... I'd get there sooner. I saw a dead fox at the side of the lane (well I smelt it first, from about 200 yards away), and it's stomach was a mass of maggots. You don't want to wait til that happens to pick it up!

I'd ask a neighbour too, are there any burly fellas who might want to show you how capable they are?

[VerySmallSqueak]

Today is the day,if it's to be out bagged up for collection tomorrow.

Let us know when/if you've done it.I'm secretly hoping you prove to yourself that you can do it,but whichever way....

[ratbagcatbag]

I'm in the offer a teenager twenty quid category, there are something's people can just not face even if others can. I've picked up
snakes that have grown men legging it, (at reptile houses etc) but dead creatures especialky as big as foxes would not happen. :)