Finding a spike buck is not so rare but to have a buck with a single spike visit several years in a row is rare. Especially if it is the same spindly spike buck. It wasn't like he broke one spike off - that wasn't the case at all. He only grew one spike and it was a thin spindly spike. He was so unique that you couldn't help notice him with his little spike. He traveled with our old friend Junior whom has since passed away but came to visit us and use our home as his center of operations during the rutting season. He came around for 14 years and then suddenly came no more so I suspect his traveling buddy Uno has gone on to deer heaven too.
Uno was a loyal friend to Junior and Junior who was my friend of 14 years would walk up and eat from my hand and let me rub his nose. One year Uno showed up and Junior was not with him. Like in Hat Rack's case I would talk to Uno and he would hang around to listen. I know this sounds crazy but I'm not crazy, one of my voices is a therapist and tells me I'm sane. Seriously it was Junior, his mom Daisy, Hat Rack and Uno who taught me that deer make a sort of mewing sound when content and I have observed that they are very intelligent and can comprehend.
The following is a true story and I'm happy to be able to tell it. For me it puts deer in a better perspective. One year several years back Uno had showed up and had been hanging around for about a week but his buddy Junior was not with him. I was out cooking cowboy breakfast one morning and Uno was hanging out with me while I was cooking. I was talking to him and told him that it was getting close to hunting season when it would be dangerous for him and others, and that I was worried about Junior. I ask him where Junior was and would he go get Junior. Uno looked around then turned and walked away into the woods. Three days later after I had forgotten about the matter I was looking out the window and observed three deer walking through the woods coming toward the house in single file. In the lead was Uno and behind him was Junior and then Juniors twin brother. I was totally dumbfounded.
I could tell from long experience with deer that Uno was beside himself and bursting with pride. They walked right up to me and Uno had his head up looking very proud and Junior was obviously happy to see me.
Both Junior and Uno have gone on to deer heaven now but I will never forget them and I miss them terribly. How I wish I could look out the window and see any of them walk up just one more time. It is rare to have animals living in the wild trust you enough to walk up to you without fear. It is something you revere and hold on to for the rest of your life knowing you have been especially blessed. When a wild animal gives you their trust you have something of immense value. It is not given easily but when it is you know you are in a very special relationship. They were good friends who are sadly missed now that they are gone. The last time I saw Junior was a few years ago and he was something to behold. As he walked into the yard there were already other deer and they moved aside to let him walk through. He was obviously the deer in charge but he was as gentle, trusting and loving as he always had been to me. Now we have frequent visits from 'deer' but none with those special qualities like Junior, Daisy, Uno and Hat Rack. As I write their stories I realize just how much I truly miss them.....
6 comments:
Hey Bruce, this was by far one of my favorite stories of yours. I could feel the love you have for these animals jump right off the words of your writing and into my heart.....as one animal lover to another! These gentle creatures know you're a friend to them and their trust was evident each year that they returned to pay you a visit. Keep on writing your animal stories Bruce....it's some of your best stuff!
Love this story... A week or so ago, there was a young spotted fawn who had grown bold enough to walk out of the woods on his own into my neighbor's side yard. My neighbor had told me about the mother deer and her fawn ... And as I drove in the neighborhood, there it was out in the open... I stopped the car, and in my most soothing voice, told it how pretty it was and talked to it for a few minutes. It stood there, obviously curious, and twitching it's ears trying to figure out what I was and if I was a danger. After a few moments, it turned and walked into the woods, where I could see the outline of the mother deer waiting. What a lovely moment...
Thank you, :o)
I forwarded this wonderful story to my Grands—your stories so remind me of my Dad. My children’s children all will grow up with a deep appreciation of animals and this will be a story they will remember. Thanks for sharing.
I have to say, while looking through hundreds of blogs daily, the theme of this blog is different (for all the proper reasons). If you do not mind me asking, what's the name of this theme or would it be a especially designed affair? It's significantly better compared to the themes I use for some of my blogs.
Anonymous: We started this blog at the request of family and friends. We have lived here for 15 years and trying to keep up with everyone with letters was not working for us. So we set up the blog site and by word of mouth it has grown to what it is today.
Theme? I guess you could say it is our experience and life living here on the side of a mountain like we do. So that is why we set up the blog and it is a work in progress.
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