Life By Grand Design
LifeByGrandDesign.net
  • HOME
  • BOOK SHOPPE
  • Life By Grand Design (Posts)
  • Pen to Page
  • SUBSCRIBE

“You don't stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing.” 
― George Bernard Shaw

Thank you for visiting and enjoy your stay!

BOOK SHOP

Deer Therapy 101

1/25/2016

12 Comments

 
Picture
My Sweet Mother
There is nothing more therapeutic to me than placing myself smack dab in the middle of God's beautiful creation, such as nature and the animal kingdom. I cannot help but feel blessed to live where we can see many wild animals roam from Foxes, Squirrels, Deer, Road Runners, and even an Armadillo or two.

One of the most perfect and beautiful creatures in my eyes are the lovely deer. They are truly something to behold. The picture above is my mom feeding a Doe who had come to visit her.

Many deer roam up here on our little Texas mountain on any given day. We live in the Hill country, so I like to think this big hill is my little mountain, a piece of paradise. It is quite common to see the deer  basking in the sun on our front lawn. Most deer are very shy, but if I am patient, they have been known to come close enough to feed them some fruit or veggies of some kind. 


I call my mom the "Deer Whisperer" because when she used to come out of her house, they were waiting for her. They came up to her so easily. My mom is a very gentle and kind soul. I believe they could sense her sweet spirit and knew a treat of some kind was in her hand. 

When my parents decided to downsize, they sold their lovely home to us. The first thing out of my mom's mouth was...

"Please take care of my babies!"

They truly brought my mom so much joy. When she was going through chemo for Lung cancer, the deer were the one thing that brought her peace and joy through a very difficult time.


Picture
Since there is an abundance of deer up on our little mountain, we have to be on alert every day, as they cross our roads night and day. 

One day a few years back I was coming home with my mom and a deer ran out in front of my car. I was not going fast at all. I knew to watch for them. Sadly...I did not see the second deer that followed and hit her with my
car.

It was devastating to my mom. I stopped and my little mother jumped out, crying her eyes out. It was dark and I tried to get my mom to sit in the car so I could go look and see if this precious deer was still alive. 

It laid there, most likely stunned, but I could see it breathing. We called the police and they came to check her out. They immediately called Animal Control. They assured me they would sit there until Animal Control came. The officer said she may get up after a time.

I could not get my mom to leave her side. She stroked its sweet face and just prayed. Sure enough after about 15 minutes the doe stood up. She just stood there looking at us.

After coaxing my mom to leave, we left her in the care of the police and went home. I am not sure to this day if the deer did in fact make it. I believe it is always a good idea to call for help should someone accidentally hit an animal so that the animal does not lay there needlessly and suffer. Always be rest assured, when there is one deer crossing, most likely there are two or three trailing behind.
Picture
A couple ​of doe's have left their new fawn in the bushes at my parents house. The picture above is the last one while they lived in their home. I remember going over to visit and walking right past her, thinking she was a new yard ornament. She was so quiet and still.

The first time this happened, my parents had no idea what to do. Some people who were walking by took notice of the fawn. They talked my parents into letting them take the baby as they said they had cared for many orphaned deer. My parents, not knowing any better, let them take the baby.  Later on my parents were told that they should have left it be, as the mother was not far and would return. She was probably watching from afar. 
​
I have read that the mother deer will lick the new born from head to toe, and leave her scent so predators will not come near. They will leave the fawns in order to forage for food and also to lead predators away from the the new little one. 
She will go several times a day to nurse the baby, but as soon as they are strong enough to follow her, away they go! 


It was not long after the fawn was taken away that the mother did indeed return wanting her baby. She stayed day and night for a few days looking for her. This was very sad.

This next time that a mother left her baby in the bushes, mom and dad did not say anything to anyone and just observed her for the first 24 hours. Sure enough the mother did return and took her baby with her.
Picture
It was moving day and we had our truck packed full. As we drove up the hill I mean mountain...I noticed a little fawn running back and forth along a fence line. I could tell it was trying to get to its mother on the other side. I felt it was going to injure itself if I did not intervene.

I told my husband to pull over and I was going to lift the baby over the fence to its mom. He did not think this was a good idea, but I can be quite stubborn. He reluctantly pulled over, I jumped out, and walked quietly over to the baby. I gently picked it up and immediately the little thing began to wiggle and make this this horrible cry.

I heard this MAAAAA! MAAAAA!

What in the world? This baby is crying out for its Mama, I thought!

"Save me from this weird looking animal!" She cried loudly!

"MAAAAA...MAAAA!"

I could see the mother deer and she was not happy that I had her little fawn in my arms. She began to make a sound like snorting, and pounded the ground with her foot. I thought I better put this baby down quick or I may have a deer charging me. Of course there was the fence, but they can jump quite high.

I quickly put the fawn down and ran back over to the truck. My husband was laughing hysterically. He could hear the fawns cry inside the truck. I did not find this amusing at all! He suggested we unload and if the fawn was still in distress, we would come up with another idea!

We made our way back around and to my delight, the little one was gone. We noticed that somehow she managed to get to her mother. It was a mystery for sure.

​Perhaps they truly do not need us humans interfering in their life and are only to be admired from afar.
Picture
I am sure there will be many more stories of our precious deer on our little mountain as the years pass by. I can say this for sure...

They are my therapy when the world is moving way too fast! It is as simple as stepping outside to admire our lovely deer that grace our little mountain.

​Deer therapy continues to be my mode of healing on any given day.
Picture
A few years ago, I was inspired to write about a young Deer's journey.
It was one of my first  digital books.
I hope you enjoy!
Picture
The Final Resting Place: The Journey of One Deer
Daya is a young White Tail deer, left orphaned in the North Carolina mountains.
She finds friends and adventures along the Cherokee trail,
​ bringing her to the final resting place. 
​

This story is narrated by Daya, as seen through her eyes. 

There are other characters who will delight you. Finley, an older doe who becomes her protector, Awinita, her fawn, Enyota, the mighty buck.
Picture
Please enjoy some of my favorite blogs and their newest postings!
Soul Food with Davis, Wilson & Wilsont
Do You Need Speed Bumps?
Interview with Mary Craig
have a blessed week photo: Have a great week greatweek.gif
Thank ya'll for stopping in today!
I do hope you have a beautiful day filled with wonder and joy!
May the God Lord Bless You Real Good!
Kimmie
12 Comments
Vicki link
1/26/2016 09:39:36 am

Dear Kimmie,

I know many folks who feel as you do about these animals. They are beautiful to look at, but unfortunately they are an absolute pain on roads and in gardens here. As your video says, they thrive in developed areas.
It is against the law here to feed wildlife. This is for their protection, as once they get used to humans doing this they become vulnerable to becoming pests, and get annoyed if food is not forthcoming. Then they will be killed.
When deer become annoyed they can kill humans and other animals like dogs, usually when they want to protect their little ones.
Nevertheless, probably in an area like you describe, it would have been very nice for your mom to enjoy them in this way.
I don't like driving at night, because I'm fearful of hitting one of them.
But I do agree they're very pretty.
So is your new notification, which I was pleased to get this morning!
It's always great to have two sides to a story, and your article is lovely!
Love and hugs to you Kimmie!

Reply
Kimmie
1/26/2016 10:01:21 am

Hi Vicki
Thank you for coming by my friend. You have made some great valid points too. It is against the law to feed them here too. It is so tempting to feed them but truly is not beneficial to do so on a regular basis (for them or us), as it can cause problems. I think the yearning to get close to them and observe them is in the "wanting to feed" them but in the long run it is not a good idea. During mateing season can bring about some agressive Bucks too. To have a garden or pretty flowers is not possible here without making a very tall fence. Those are the down falls for sure. I am an advocate also for hunting for food. I myself would have trouble shooting one but if it meant feeding my family then I feel it is justified or the deer population would run us over. During deer season you can hear the hunters up here and it always makes me a bit sad but such is life and I am a softy. :) Thank you again Vicki! Have a blessed day.
Kimmie

Reply
Mike
1/26/2016 10:39:35 am

Hello Sunnie. Good to see you posting again. Good to see such a warm write about all the gentle souls that roam in your Texas hills. Glad I stopped by this morning.

Reply
Kimmie
1/26/2016 11:29:56 am

Good morning Mike
Thank you for reading and leaving such a nice comment. I do love watching the deer. So peaceful!
Take care my friend.
Kimmie

Reply
femmeflashpoint link
1/26/2016 02:33:47 pm

Kimi,

Love this post. It's excellent info and love the pics!

femme

Reply
Kimmie
1/26/2016 06:23:26 pm

Thank you sweet friend. So glad you stopped in.
Love and hugs
Kimmie

Reply
Martie link
1/26/2016 04:33:25 pm

How awesome! Having those lovely animals in your backyard, and all over in the neighbourhood, must give one an urge to love, respect and protect nature. I know exactly how felt when you hit that poor deer, as I have had the same kind of experiences. The only difference, not one of my victims survived. Image my regret and guilt! Your mom must be a most wonderful person, Kim - a fact definitely sensed by those dear deer :)

Lots of hugs to you :)

Reply
Kimmie
1/26/2016 06:28:52 pm

HI Martie
So happy to see you here! I think it is better that they go to animal heaven than suffer so it is good you did not have to worry but I am sure you felt bad too. It is hard to miss them darting out...any animal for that matter. :)) Having them roam up here is such a blessing. I do not look at it as a bad thing. They are fun to watch..especially after a good rain in the summer. They play in the puddles and are so happy! One day my husband and I were walking the dogs and heard something behind us. It was a Buck and he was following us. I was praying he was not going to get us from behind . I was a little scared he was going to charge but he didn't thankfully.
Have a great night
Love and hugs
Kimmie

Reply
Sannel link
1/27/2016 03:13:42 pm

Dear Kimmie,
Such a sweet and compassionate post. Just like you, dear friend, Here in Sweden we have lots of wildlife, like moose, deer, lynx, wolves etc. in the forest.
However, we have not got in the habit to feed them, knowing in the long run it will bring them more harm than good. We must take the nature in its course and leave them to do what they have done for centuries.
Love reading this sweet post, my friend. There is nothing more lovable than animals. Thank you for this beautiful post.
Thinking of you, l hope all is well with you.
Love and hugs,
Sannel

Reply
Kimmie
1/27/2016 05:28:26 pm

Hello my sweet friend. I was just thinking of you a couple days ago. Sannel it is true, it is best to leave nature on its own and admire from a far. Feeding them can bring on so many problems. Hope all is well there in Sweden and you are keeping nice and warm.
Sending much love your way
Kimmie

Reply
Maria link
1/27/2016 08:32:53 pm

Love reading about your 'deer Momma' ~ we have plenty of deer in our neighborhood and they bring a feeling of peace and wonder with them.

Come to think of it...so does your writing.

Beautiful work, Kimmie.

Reply
Kimmie
1/28/2016 07:58:55 am

Thank you Maria for always leaving a sweet comment. I will always treasure that pic of my mom and the deer.
Love and hugs
Kimmie

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed


    To subscribe to Pen to Page, enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Pen to Page Posts

    ↑ Grab this Headline Animator


    Picture

    Virtual Busker

    Graceful Intentions is a free-to-use site, but, if you like my work and would like to leave a tip, I'll surely put it to good use!

    Even small amounts make a difference add up to make big differences.

    Tipping made easy!

    1.Click here to use PayPal 
    ​
    2. Select friends or family option
    ​
    3. Issue to [email protected]

    ​God bless you and thanks for your support of the indie biz (independent business) community!
    ​

    Go to...

    Home
    Book Shoppe
    Life By Grand Design
    Subscribe/Contact Me

    Archives

    July 2019
    June 2019
    February 2019
    December 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015


    The Web Only Your Site

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.