Have you seen the Bay View foxes? No, I'm not talking about the group of blue-haired octogenarians who enjoy happy hour at Gerry's Diamond Tap. I'm talking about a pack of real, live foxes who seem to live somewhere near the corner of Oklahoma and Delaware Aves. (Trivia answer: a group of foxes is called a "skulk" or an "earth.")

Anyway, I see these critters frequently, and the other night I saw a baby fox.

An old guy who lives on Delaware told me the family of foxes lives under his porch, which makes sense, since they usually seem to roam within a few blocks. I saw one in my alley -- so did my dog, who totally freaked out. I nearly hit the baby fox with my car when it came darting out into the road. Just like a family of deer, the mama followed right behind.

It's such a rarity to see a fox in Bay View, but it really bums me out. Clearly, nature and urban settings are colliding, and I have to think the fox is getting the short end of the stick.

It's not quite as dramatic as the 150-pound cougar that was shot on Chicago's north side a few weeks ago. (Though it is interesting that wildlife officials think the cougar may have come through Milton, Wis.)

The Bay View foxes are cute, probably not very cuddly, and unfortunately out of their element. As much as I'm thrilled every time I see them slinking around, it's a glimpse I'd rather forsake for the safety and the well being of these not-very-urban animals living in the big city.