That sly old red fox

Archaeologists recently found a red fox curled up with a human at a burial site in Jordon dated to some 16,000 years ago. According to the story, this demonstrates an emotional attachment between humans and foxes, and that "...several millennia before any animals were domesticated, humans may have been making an early attempt to keep pets. Red foxes, to be precise."

So where did the pet red fox become that archenemy of gingerbread everywhere, the "Sly Old Red Fox?" Wolves, I understand. They have teeth big enough to eat red-hooded girls. But foxes?

I took a gander at my trusty Webster's 9th. After describing the mammal, the second definition is " a clever crafty person." The verb form begins with "to trick by ingenuity or cunning, to outwit." If the fox was so trusted by humans, and according to the article, are among the easiest mammal to train, how did the red fox acquire such a devious reputation? And when did it become the "sly old red fox?"

More to come.

Pirates and Holmes?

Laurie R King, of whom I've already declared my undying love, has written a new book, The Pirate King, due out September, 2011. I could hardly contain my excitement. The Pirates of Penzance is quite a nice Guilbert & Sullivan operetta; combine this with a heretofore serious heroine, and the intrigue that follows her, and there is one amazing little number.

But I digress. More from the author herself (perhaps I should write 'the literary agent') is here. It is quite interesting how serious this 'literary agent' farce has been thus far; here, the story itself finally catches up.