No pretty picture today.
Last night I was sitting in my chair in the den – it was about 6:30 pm – and I heard the sound of an animal being hit. In fact, I thought it might be a dog because I heard it cry out. I got up, grabbed a flashlight, told Don about it, and walked outside down to the road. I looked about 30 feet down the road and saw a deer lying there. A car stopped and the woman inside told me it was a deer and that it was still alive and that she would call 911. I returned to the house, told Don what was happening, and he put on some shoes, took the flashlight, and walked down the road to the deer.
I remained in the house for a bit trying to figure out who to call on a Friday evening when every place was closed. It’s impossible. Don stayed with the deer, which was quite young. He used his flashlight to direct traffic around the deer. The deer kept lifting his head, but couldn’t move. So Don crouched down, kept petting him and talking to him, apologizing for what happened to him, all the while trying to figure out how to move him without making his injuries worse. And then he sang to him.
By the time I got back out there, the deer had passed away. I spoke to the deer in much the same manner as Don. Don had me direct traffic as he moved the body off the road.
You know who didn’t care enough to stop and help the deer? The driver. Just as happened a few years ago when a woman hit a fawn in front of our house, stopped to check for damage on her car, and then drove on, even when – as I discovered about 30 minutes later, the fawn was lying there on the side of the road, not more than 10 feet away. Both then and last night, one of us stayed with the deer, speaking quietly, doing everything we could to offer some compassion, waiting for someone to get there and help, only to watch as the deer passed away.
And then there was the deer that was hit right in front of our house only a month ago. Again, the driver didn’t stop.
I know that it gets pitch dark around here and that deer can appear out of nowhere. Sometimes hitting them can’t be helped, careful as one might be. What can be helped is the appalling lack of compassion in the driver who thinks it’s okay to drive away. Even if he/she drives on out of shock, perhaps some frigging compassion might cause him to rethink his decision, stop further on down the road, and turn around.
It’s been a tough year on our little stretch of road. We’ve lived here over 14 years and we’ve never seen it this bad.
Don speaks of that experience with the deer as sacred. Bless him. Bless that innocent young deer who had all too short a life.
Babs says
I couldn’t read your sad post today but wanted to tell you the Jan/Feb issue of US Country Living has a piece on Putz sheep.
Claudia says
Thank you.
Barbara W. says
That’s so sad.
Bless you both for your compassion and help.
Claudia says
Thank you, Barbara.
Lea says
Absolutely heartbreaking for the deer and all involved. What a cruel society we
live in today. Sometimes words are inadequate to express the sadness we feel.
Claudia says
I agree. Thank you, Lea.
kathy in iowa says
very sad for the deer (plural).
also sad for the drivers of those cars … to live with so little compassion that they didn’t see if they could help the deer (yes, maybe the drivers were in shock, but shock wears off and they could have come back or, better yet, called someone on the spot or knocked on the door of a house nearby). life is better – though often not easier – with an open heart.
many thanks to you and don for all your compassion for and help to the deer (and other creatures). i have no doubt those animals knew that you were there to help and not to hurt them (i’m not saying those drivers hit them on purpose) and felt the love and comfort you gave them.
hope you and don have done/do things that help you feel better and can have a nice weekend.
kathy in iowa
Claudia says
Thank you, Kathy.
kathy in iowa says
clicked “send” too fast. meant to also say i am sad for you and don to have to witness and help at such heartbreaking and awful things.
peace …
kathy in iowa
Claudia says
Thank you.
Cindy says
God bless you both. God comfort your hearts. There are no other words.
Claudia says
Thank you, Cindy.
Priscilla says
kind, kind, kind man…..
Claudia says
He is. Thank you, Priscilla.
Dee Dee says
How incredibly sad. Take comfort knowing that Don made the last minutes of the deer’s life gentle.
As the driver, not surprised that yet another selfish individual felt entitled that their time was more precious than dealing with a situation they had caused.
Claudia says
Thank you, Dee Dee.
Lisa says
{{hugs}} to you both. We need more compassionate and brave people in this world, like you and your husband.
Claudia says
Thank you, Lisa.
tammy j says
tears streaming as I write this.
thank you for caring so deeply. for being kind and compassionate.
if there is a God and a crown… surely you each will have a star in it.
my heart to yours. XO
Claudia says
Thank you, Tammy.
Lynn Cecil says
Crying..Bless you
Claudia says
Thank you, Lynn.
Robin says
Claudia, I am so thankful that you and Don were there. The deer left this life hearing a kind, compassionate voice. I am so sorry, this has been a hard year for the deer.
Claudia says
Thank you, Robin.
t says
Dear Claudia & Don,
Thank you for being the compassionate people you are. Thank you for bringing peace and comfort to this animal at its time of death. You have hearts of gold and I wish that all your good may come back to you.
-Tisha
Claudia says
Thank you, Tisha.
Wendy T says
Compassion seems in short supply these days, but I’m so glad that you and Don abound with it.
Claudia says
Thank you, Wendy.
Martha says
Tragic. You both did a wonderful, compassionate thing last night. Deer are in our lives in our neighborhood. They tend to be small around here and quick.
Have Don and you ever visited Ashland? While witnessing a deer hop over someone’s front yard fence to enjoy a snack, a local told me, “Happens all the time here. They are smart. They even cross the street in the crosswalks.” Two days later as we were about to hit the road for home, we saw three of them trot past us, as we waited with others in cars to let them cross the street, definitely in the crosswalk, in town!
Claudia says
Don has been there. I had a chance to work there, but we were moving out East, so I passed on the offer.
Love your description of the deer.
April Baldwin says
Dear Claudia, Your post brought tears to my eyes. Thank you and your hubby for being compassionate. xo
Claudia says
Thank you, April.
Karen says
You and Don are such good people. Bless you.
Claudia says
Thank you, Karen.
Vicki says
Oh, Claudia, I am heartsick for both you and Don. I am so sorry this had to happen last night. There’s just no understanding to why some things happen the way they do. And for all that is unfair to the deer…and I do believe what goes around will come around to those who never do the right thing…that you and Don were there AND did try to help the dear creature is a perfect example of, for every one not-compassionate human, here are two who ARE (but I know there’s not much consolation in such a recent upsetting event as this one).
I am so glad that you and Don are the good people you are; the deer was lucky to have Don try to soothe him as he left this Earth. The more I learn about you and Don, the more I understand why the two of you are together. And, you know, not every guy would go out there and even want to touch the deer, much less pull it out of the way of cars.
Wishing you, somehow-someway, any measure of peace possible in your hearts and souls today in the aftermath of such a heartbreaking situation. You could fall into victim mode and say, “Why me, why us; we’re just sitting inside our own house minding our own business, and then we have to suffer the consequences of some lesser person who doesn’t even care?” So I salute you, that your thoughts are for the deer and not yourself.
If I was there and in your ‘real’ life, I’d come over and throw my arms around you both, so please feel a loving hug across the cyber miles. You have had too much of this carnage.
Claudia says
Thank you so much, Vicki.
Donnamae says
There really are no words. I feel so bad for you and Don, but, I am thankful that you were there to make the deer’s last moments comforting. The world would be a far better place if only more people would show compassion, as you did. ;)
Claudia says
Thank you Donna.
Marilyn says
What a sad thing . Why cant the driver stop and help. The reason is like a lot of drivers they are in a hurry and disregard an animal’s life. I love the deer it makes me cringe when I see a deer being aimed at to shoot. Thank You Claudia and Don for your compassion and kindness toward the deer.
Marilyn
Claudia says
Thank you, Marilyn.
penny Spencer says
Claudia, such a sad, sad situation for you and that poor innocent creature. That Don and you could comfort it in the last moments of its life was a blessing for you both. It wasn’t alone and so afraid, and you were able to speak kindly as it passed. It makes me so sad to see those beautiful animals on the side of roads, actually any of the wild animals. One part of a favorite quote is “All Creatures Great and Small, the Lord God Made Them All”. God Bless you both.
Claudia says
Thank you, Penny.
jan says
here in Washington state we are legally required to stop and let geese and ducks cross the road if they want to. Didn’t know that for years and I was so proud when seeing people stopping and waiting for them.. one time I saw a Mallard duck and his mate crossing our street and they were using the crosswalk!! So Sorry for the deer but I am sure you and Don helped them to pass over in peace. Animals have souls too, same as ours. Can you put up a sign or apply for one to warn the drivers?
Claudia says
You would have to put up thousands of signs around here, unfortunately. This is a rural area with hundreds and hundreds of deer.
Thanks, Jan.
Susan says
Claudia,
This is so sad for all involved. Thankfully I’ve never hit a deer but I do live in a State where the percentage is high. I was always advised to never approach an injured deer because of them possibly kicking their powerful legs when injured and afraid. I would be afraid that petting an injured deer would cause more fear than comfort, figuring they would naturally fear me, want to get away from me, and not being able to would cause them great stress. I live in a housing development and we actually have a number of deer. I’m always very aware, careful, and pray for their safety.
Claudia says
In a normal situation, yes. But when an animal is injured, I think you have to take action. They ARE fearful of humans and it’s stressful for them for sure. But, as a wildlife rehabilitator told me last year when I called her for assistance, when an animal is injured, all bets are off. Take action. I wouldn’t let my fear of them kicking stop me. IN this case, this poor animal couldn’t move. To stay away and not offer comfort as it lay there is unthinkable.
Susan says
Claudia,
I don’t disagree with you at all and I hope you did not take it that way. Thank you for sharing what the rehabilitator advised you. I’m glad you and Don were there to provide comfort.
Claudia says
xoxo
Chris K in Wisconsin says
I know that it will be a very long time before this sadness passes for you and for Don. Compassion seems to be a lost “art” these days.
I know that here in Wisconsin there seems to be a plethora of deer this year. Or, perhaps, it is that we continue to encroach upon their habitats and force them out and onto the roads and highways. But that doesn’t discount the fact that people should care enough to stop when they are involved in such an incident. All God’s creatures……………..
Claudia says
We have most definitely encroached on their habitat. We are the interlopers, not them. Thank you, Chris.
Fiona says
We live in a world where self is more important than others, whether it is animals or humans, it doesn’t seem to matter. Thankfully there are still some people like you and Don around. Such compassion to another living thing is a rare and special gift. Thank you for caring.
Claudia says
Thank you, Fiona.
jeanie says
Sacred indeed. I am grateful for both of you, for giving comfort. For caring. For not ignoring its suffering or pain. I live in terror of a deer darting in front of me up north or returning home from Southern Exposure at dusk or in the evening after dark. Thank you for being the people you are.
Claudia says
We don’t even like to drive after dark for that very reason. Thank you, Jeanie.
Nora in CT says
Oh god, Claudia, not again!!! I can’t help but think you and Don were angels for that little soul, as painful and awful as it was for you. I’m sure Don’s comforting presence and beautiful voice and tender touches would make death less traumatic for the little creature who was probably in shock. I’m so sorry for you both and also grateful that you were there.
Claudia says
Thank you, Nora.
Regula says
There are many wild animals and cats on the road where I live. I’m always driving slow when it is dark or foggy and will hopefully never hit a deer, cat, boar, hare, hedghog.
So good that you could comfort the dying deer and make it easier for it. Hopefully, people noticed and will act the same when they get into the same situation. Because this is what caring people do. Should do …
Claudia says
Thank you, Regula.
Linda @ A La Carte says
I read what you put on Instagram but was not able to read this yesterday. Just a very hard day but I wanted again to tell you and Don what kind loving people you are. I am so blessed to call you friends. We have many deer here and I see them on the side or in the middle of the roads and it breaks my heart. As you said we are the interlopers into their territory not the other way around. Hugs.
Claudia says
Thank you, Linda.