Adorable Fox Cub - Saved From The Brink Of The Death - Makes A Special Friend As She Is Nurtured Back To Health

A kind-hearted Isle of Wight woman who rescued and nurtured a dying fox cub back to health, says she can't believe her transformation - and has even made a very special friend.

Pauline, 28, spotted the young six-month old club, abandoned in Shanklin back in April. She was flea-ridden, weak and struggling to breathe.

Instagram @Marley_Fox_Cub

Since then, she has dedicated her life to nurse the animal back to health, with tender love and care.

And it's not only Pauline who has developed a special bond with Marley. A friendship has also blossomed between her and Pauline's four-year-old bulldog Ernie.

Pauline, who lives in Shanklin with partner Joey, said:

"Ernie and Marley do everything together. They are together all day, go for walks and sleep next to each other all night. They are inseparable."

When Marley was found, Pauline contacted rescue centres on the Island and mainland, but was told nothing could be done to help at the time.

Instagram @Marley_Fox_Cub

Pauline, who was training to be a dog groomer, continued: 

"Marley was so poorly and covered in flies and ticks. She was in a terrible way."

For the following six weeks, Pauline fed Marley kitten milk every 90 minutes - day and night - and gave her medication which was needed for four months.

She continued:

"I've since had a lot of help and advice from vets and fox rescues, but it has been a huge commitment looking after her. I gave up my dream job because this little fox came along - but it's all been worth it to see her so happy and healthy."

Instagram @Marley_Fox_Cub

As much as she adores Marley, Pauline is eager to remind people that foxes are not pets and should be left in the wild - unless it's a very extreme circumstance.

She said:

"Some people might think it's cruel that I've kept Marley, but she I don't think it is at all. She is so happy. She was so young when I rescued her that she knows no different, she's not a wild fox. She thinks I'm her mum. She was so poorly and on medication for so long that I can't release her. If she went back into the wild now, there is no way she would survive.

"But I don't want people to see that I have a fox and think they should do the same. Foxes aren't pets. They are a handful - and they smell!"

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A concern Pauline had about taking Marley home to care for her was whether she would settle in with her other pets - especially her four-year-old Bulldog, Ernie. But the pair soon hit it off and have been inseparable ever since.

She explained:

"After I'd had her about three weeks, they eventually started playing together - and they have been best friends ever since.

"If I take Ernie out for a walk on his own, she gets so excited when he gets home. She goes mad - she absolutely loves him.

"Ernie is like Marley's babysitter. If I need to get something done or I'm a bit tired, I'll ask him go and play with his little sister - and he does!"

The pair have bonded so well that they've drawn comparisons to the classic Disney film, The Fox and The Hound.

Instagram @Marley_Fox_Cub

Pauline said:

"It's an unusual friendship, but they have bonded so well. It's like the real-life The Fox and the Hound.

"Ernie is so gentle and sweet with her, he's just a big baby. She loves all the other animals, but she likes to wind them up. Ernie is definitely her favourite."

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She continued: 

"We love her to bits. She is always happy and gets excited. She's very chatty and makes lots of weird noises. We take her out on a lead and when we are in the car she loves putting her head out of the window.

"When I get home she wags her fluffy tail in excitement, pees a little then gets cozy. She loves a head stroke, her eyes start to close and she has her afternoon nap."

Instagram @Marley_Fox_Cub

Pauline was keen to reiterate her comments about not having a fox as a pet.

She added: 

"Please don't try getting a fox as a pet. This is an extreme circumstance and there is no way she would survive back in the wild."