We Did It!
Image by Jax on UnSplash
That day started like any other. I checked my phone, made a list of all the things I had to do, and got ready to face my morning. Jodie, my Service Dog in-training, pottied and started to help me get ready. Our itinerary was set and consisted of running errands, training and reading. Not all that exciting. Not a big day.
As I was driving down Rt. 20 in my mobility van, I was thinking about the quickest way to finish my errands and head off to do a bit of training with Jodie. That’s when I heard the loud cries off to my left. Two people were struggling with something at the fenceline of a friend’s manor. I pulled into the frontage road, and realized that the cries were coming from a spotted fawn, struck between the black iron bars of a spiked fence that surrounded the property.
They were attempting to hold the fawn and either move it or the bars, enough for the fawn to wriggle through. I stopped the van, made sure the AC was running for Jodie, and hopped out with my mask and cane.
I asked if I could help. The fawn was definitely lodged. I and another woman took turns holding the fawn’s legs to keep it from hurting itself. I’d say for the record, that Bambi’s kick was powerful, even for his size.The iron bars had already left their mark on his precious coat. One of the men tried to spread the bars. Nothing was working. The crying continued. It was like a knife to my heart. Those bars held Bambi like a vice.
I heard someone behind me, and noticed that more cars were pulling in behind my van. A woman had called 911. And 911 called Animal Control..The crowd was growing, and I realized that we were not just a crowd. We were a community of like minded souls. Even 911 had a vested interest, and stayed on the line.
I saw the mother deer running close. She was frantic. We began to wonder if Momma would attack. Thankfully, the owner came out to see why we were milling about her fence. She had a yellow lab that thankfully was able to keep Momma away.
As we tried to figure out what our next move would be, a car pulled up and the man said he had a tool that could spread the bars. Perfect! The only issue would be that it could damage the owners’ fence. The owner was amazing and gave permission, no thought to the cost of the fence.
He worked to spread the bars as we held the fawn. I sang to keep the fawn calm. On the second try, the bars moved and Bambi was finally free! With a small shake, the fawn was off to find Momma..
We all cheered, including the 911 dispatchers on the phone.
As we said our goodbyes, I noticed that this community of caregivers were from all walks of life. The owner of the manor, men, women, elderly, and the disabled participated. We came together as one, to lift another soul to freedom.
I drove away that day in a state of gratitude. Bambi was free.
The song Growing Together from Lost Horizons came to mind as I fell asleep that night. “…if things go wrong, we’ll still get along somehow. Together!” Things went right, we worked together and it was brilliant!
Looking for more uplifting reads? Check out these stories.
- Grey Pearl Accordion – Positivity Corner
- The God of McDonald’s – Positivity Corner
- Waterfall Bathing at Prony Bay – Positivity Corner
- Many Happy Returns – Creative Nonfiction
- Black Cats – My Favorite Things
Sue Cook lives in Freeport, Illinois with her husband Randy and two dogs. Her passions include assistance dogs, rescue dogs, music, acting, theater, poetry, and Doctor Who. She’s been in both film and theater and is a regular cast member of the podcast Doctor Who’s Line is it….Anyway? Sue is an advocate for the use of Service Dogs to assist their disabled handlers to maintain their independence. Quigley’s Quest, her first children’s book, addresses how a dog becomes a Service Dog.
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