HILLSPEAKING
from The Anglican Digest
ADVENT-CHRISTMAS-EPIPHANY A.D. 2006
DEER, it would seem, have become a problem nationwide.
As their numbers increase, their natural timidity decreases, so that it
is not uncommon across the country to see them browsing in suburban,
and even urban, areas. So it is at Hillspeak, although we do not
consider them a problem, but rather something of an attractive nuisance.
They exasperated Patient Wife by nibbling on her roses and dictated
that we should plant daffodils at St Mark's Cemetery rather than tulips.
The Managing Editor moved his tomato plants closer to his house, the
Old Residence, but cannot do much about their feasting on
still-ripening peaches and apples. He observed a doe tilt a
birdfeeder to one side so the sunflower seeds flowed easily into her
open mouth. I have a birdbath at the back of the Cottage that is
drained each night by does and bucks. Still and all, we have a
live-and-let-live policy toward them.
Even Godfrey has adopted the policy and makes only a perfunctory effort at chasing them off.
Late last spring I found a new-born fawn in Trinity Park out in the
open where it would be easy prey for an eagle or hawk. It made an
effort to stand when I approached but still wasn't able to get on its
feet. I picked it up, cradled it in my arms and it relaxed and
cuddled up to me.
As I took it to the tall grass behind the cemetery where the deer bed,
Otis, the Shih Tzu that “adopted” the Managing Editor’s household was
an interested spectator. When I put the fawn down in the tall
grass, Otis nudged it gently but didn’t bark or act unseemly.
After the ME and his lady had procured and fed the fawn goat’s milk, it
got up its strength and for a day or two played with Otis. Each
time, after playtime the fawn would be taken back to the tall grass
and, eventually, its doe found it and took care of it.
We cannot promise that when you visit Otis will have a deer playmate,
but the chances are that there will be several deer somewhere on
Grindstone Mountain.
Come see for yourself.
©SPEAK, INC
805 CR 102 - EUREKA SPRINGS AR 72632-9705
PHONE: 479-253-9701 FAX:
479-253-1277 E-MAIL: speak@speakinc.org
