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Mike W. Bryant
Staff columnist
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Well, there we were at the ol' fartknocker hole and I was getting a might nervous carrying around a big pouch of ciscoes in my backpack.
You would be too if you were out fishin' with a seven-foot tall, 160-pound fox. My dog Skipper is always sneaking off with my cisco bait so I was expecting more of the same from Foxy, the 2008 Arctic Winter Games mascot, when we went fishin' last Friday.
According to the games marketing manager Jacqueline McKinnon, however, Foxy has more of a hankering for granola bars and fruit cups than smelly, dead minnows.
Foxy, the Arctic Winter Games mascot, joined me for a little fishin' last week. I was really impressed he was able to stay away from my bag of ciscoes. - Mike W. Bryant/NNSL photo |
"Foxy is a nutrition freak," said McKinnon, speaking on Foxy's behalf.
"He wants to spread the message that healthy eating and healthy lifestyles, the good stuff for kids is the way to go. We've got a dietitian who is here and she is really promoting Foxy's nutrition."
I gotta say, he sure looks tip-top. His eyes are all bright and shiny, his ears straight and perky, and he's got pretty good breath for a varmint - not like that mangy critter who's always trying to run off with Skipper's dog dish from my backyard or eat my neighbour's cat.
"We had a lot of animals who submitted applications to be mascot for the Arctic Winter Games but Foxy just rose above the rest," said McKinnon.
And even though city councillor Paul Falvo's little toddler finds him a bit scary, Foxy is great with the kids. He doesn't bite or anything. McKinnon said games officials made sure he got his rabies shots.
"Foxy is very affectionate," said McKinnon.
"He loves hugs. If anybody sees Foxy out there, just give him a hug because that's what he lives on."
Overall, I'd have to say Foxy is a pretty classy critter.
He's toilet trained and waves to everyone he meets, even Stephen Harper.
He's not at all like that creepy Freddy the Fox, the Halifax town mascot in England who's always downing pints and chasing after girls.
I was really impressed when by and by, we caught a trout and Foxy didn't maul, chew or spray it with his scent or anything. He's pretty good with a fishin' pole too, I got to say.
In any event, if I was with the Arctic Winter Games, I'd be worried about losing Foxy to the big leagues. I hear Walt Disney is always in need of more mascots.
After all, Northern retention is a big issue here in the Northwest Territories.
Even though the GNWT is in lay-off mode right now, I'm sure they're loathe to lose any more doctors, nurses and teachers.
I imagine it must be tough to hang on to mascots too, especially if they're offered a gig down in sunny Orlando, Florida or Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay.
"I think we would like to keep Foxy in the North," said McKinnon.
"He's our ambassador to the Games ... He's a resident of the North and we're going to keep him here."
Well, cheers Jackie, and you too Foxy. I'm sure you're both having fun at the games this week as is everyone else.