FEEDING A DEER

 

I am with a man who is a blend of my father (as a much younger man and my brother.  We are on a road trip in his car and drive into a heavily wooded area.  After some time hiking and just enjoying the day, we make our way home.  Once we get there, I’m surprised to find that we have a small deer in the trunk.  The man tells me it’s injured and we need to keep it for a couple of days.

This disturbes me because I know the best thing to do is to take the deer back out into the woods, or at least take him to the vet, but I'm too caught up in the moment and help bring the injured animal in.  He is very compliant and gentle,  and looking closely, I can see the fawn spots have just started to disappear.  We bring him into my bedroom and the beautiful animal immediately settles down by my bed. 

I sense that a couple of days pass without incident and I’m again in the car with the man.  As we’re driving away, I suddenly remember that I neglected to put out food for the deer.  I’m panicking and even at the risk of being late to my appointment, I know that we must turn back and take care of this.  Without a word, he turns around and heads back to the house.  I race up the stairs and into my room.  The deer has moved under my bed by now, and I’m relieved to see that he appears all right, but the water dish is completely empty.  I fill it up, make sure that there are a variety of grasses and biscuits (!) there. 

I now finally have the courage to reach out my hand and touch the velvety soft nose.  He sniffs my hand and melts into it, obviously enjoying the affection.  Suddenly making up my mind, I call for the man and tell him it’s wrong for us to keep this animal like this, and he must be set free.  I turn to the deer and, addressing him directly, I tell him as much as we love him, we must release him.  Looking into his large liquid dark eyes, I see that he understands and struggles to get up.

Once again in the car,  things shift.  The incident with the deer is now in memory, and I (suddenly I’m alone and driving the car)  am heading to visit my son in Toronto.  I arrive at a large house in the university district and see that he’s living in a student house. 

And here the memory of my adventures there have evaporated – darn!!