is taken away for a long winter of hunting training. He grows into a disciplined, loyal hunting dog under the mentorship of an older dog named Chief .
The story begins when a young fox cub is orphaned. He is taken in by a kind widow, , who names him Tod . Around the same time, a neighbor, the hunter Amos Slade , brings home a hound puppy named Copper . The two youngsters meet in the woods and quickly become inseparable, famously promising to be "friends forever." 2. Growing Apart As they grow older, their lives take different paths:
remains a spirited, somewhat naive pet, waiting for his friend to return.
The story of Disney's is a bittersweet tale of an unlikely friendship that is challenged by societal expectations and the "natural" order of the world.
Amos Slade and Copper trespass into the preserve to hunt Tod down. However, the situation turns dire when a massive attacks the hunter and his dog. Despite their recent animosity, Tod risks his life to defend Copper, distracting the bear until they both tumble down a waterfall. 5. A Respectful Peace