I Raised A Nine Tailed Fox Wrongly

Okay, let's be honest. We've all seen the anime, read the manga, maybe even spent a little too much time daydreaming about having a mystical creature as a pet. I actually went and did it. I raised a nine-tailed fox. And, well, let's just say it wasn't quite the magical journey I envisioned. More like a chaotic comedy of errors wrapped in fluffy red fur.

For context, I "inherited" Kitsune (yes, I went with the classic name, sue me!) from a quirky aunt who insisted it was a particularly fluffy Pomeranian. Turns out, Aunt Millie's eyesight wasn't what it used to be. Realizing I had a nascent, albeit adorable, mythical being on my hands was...surprising. My apartment lease definitely didn't cover "magical creatures."

The Challenges of Kitsune-Keeping 101

My first mistake? Underestimating the mischief. I figured, hey, I can handle a puppy! Wrong. Kitsune at any age, even when the size of a small cat, have an innate ability to find trouble. Think of it as a superpower, but instead of saving the world, it's focused on unraveling your yarn collection and leaving cryptic messages spelled out with kibble.

Then there was the whole "nine tails" situation. Each tail has a distinct personality. One's a notorious chewer (RIP my favorite slippers), another seems obsessed with collecting shiny objects (found my car keys in the toilet once). Imagine trying to discipline nine different personalities all at once. It's like herding cats, only the cats can breathe fire (metaphorically, at first).

Pro Tip #1: Invest in industrial-strength chew toys. Seriously. And maybe a fire extinguisher, just in case. Also, learn basic Japanese. "ダメ (Dame)" meaning "no" will become your most frequently uttered word.

The Training Fiascos

Traditional dog training methods? Forget about it. "Sit" became a performance art piece involving interpretive dance and the potential for spontaneous combustion (again, metaphorical...mostly). Potty training involved a complex ritual of offerings, begging, and hoping for the best. Eventually, I just gave up and designated a specific area of the balcony as "the enchanted forest."

Kitsune are also known for their illusion magic. This led to some...interesting situations. Like the time Kitsune convinced the mailman I was running a yak farm (I live in a studio apartment). Or when it replaced my boss's face with Nicolas Cage's for an entire Zoom meeting. Explaining that to HR was a career highlight, I assure you.

Pro Tip #2: Learn basic wards and sigils to dampen illusion magic. Etsy has some surprisingly effective options. And maybe warn your mailman about the potential for farm animal sightings.

Unexpected Joys (and Burning Questions)

Despite the chaos, raising Kitsune wasn't all bad. There were moments of genuine connection. Curling up on the couch watching Studio Ghibli films (Kitsune has impeccable taste), sharing a midnight snack (turns out, they love sushi), and the occasional, spontaneous tail-wagging that made all the madness worthwhile.

And, of course, the sheer novelty of having a nine-tailed fox as a pet. How many people can say that? I became the ultimate conversation starter. Although, I still get asked the really hard questions. Like, does it grant wishes? (Not yet, still working on that). Can it turn into a human? (Hopefully not, I don't need another roommate). Does it poop rainbows? (Surprisingly, no. Very normal fox poop, actually).

Pro Tip #3: Keep a journal of your Kitsune's quirks and habits. You'll need it for bragging rights, and potential research papers (I'm only half-joking).

Lessons Learned from My Furry Fiend

Raising Kitsune taught me a lot about patience, acceptance, and the importance of a good sense of humor. It forced me to embrace the unexpected and to find joy in the everyday absurdities of life. It also taught me that maybe, just maybe, some things are best left to legend.

Just like Kitsune is a metaphor in Japanese folklore, our personal "Kitsune" can appear in real life: the unexpected challenges, a sudden change, something that completely turns our life upside down. These experiences are difficult and frustrating, but they help us to grow and teach us important lessons about our capability and our boundaries.