Doe, a Deer: Does the Head Rule Or the Heart?

Saturday morning showered positive vibes. Looking out the window into the backyard, I saw the threesome once again. It was a mother deer with her two tiny fawns. 

They have been visiting regularly ever since the temperatures started rising to unbearable highs. It is endearing to see how the little ones follow their mother, cuddling up to her and taking turns to drink milk. They walk through the bushes to find shady spots for themselves under the trees where they rest to their heart’s content.

The deer are sensitive to the minutest of sounds. As much as I would have loved to step outdoors and take pictures, I cannot. The moment I open a door or window, they are sure to run away. They consider our backyard a safe haven because we leave them undisturbed. Of the random clicks we tried from inside, we happened to capture a beautiful moment of the doe affectionately licking her baby.

I couldn’t resist sharing this picture of the mother and baby deer. It resonated with feelings of love, happiness, and maternal warmth. There is sheer magic in such moments to bring a smile to our faces.

Havoc everywhere not too long ago!

Next, I rewinded back to reflect on what happened 5 days ago. The motion lights in the back of the house got activated at 2:15 AM. I know the precise time because I had woken up coincidentally right at that moment. I at once guessed who the visitors were because this was history repeating yet again. In my mind’s eye, I had a crystal-clear image of what I was going to behold that morning.

I was right. The pretty roses that were in full bloom till last evening were all gone. The ones that were beginning to flower were also literally nipped in the bud. Of course, no points for solving the mystery; we knew who had taken them away. 

Many times during evening walks, we had spotted a flock of deer in the neighborhood, coming by the dozens. After sunset, they would find their way from the distant woods into the residential areas we call home. Since the last couple of years, they have been quite a menace, attacking any gardens that they can get their feet and mouths into. 

Looking at a picture of a deer and her baby that I clicked, a friend who lives a stone’s throw away from me, remarked, “So cute, but they have eaten and pulled out my plants!” It is natural and justified to have mixed emotions, and I understand her sentiments a hundred percent and more!

I am in the same boat. The man of the house had invested his time, energy, and passion into those flowers. He had planted the roses, watered them everyday, and fertilized them when needed. We both had waited in anticipation for the flowers to bloom. It was such a pretty sight when the colors started showing up. We were overjoyed to see them every time we passed by. And then one fine day, they were all gone.

Do I love the deer or loathe them?

I can’t believe how the doe and her fawn have driven me into such a train of philosophical thoughts. As they wandered around the yard, I struck up a conversation with my better half. I agreed that those supposedly “gentle” beings have been extremely insensitive and have destroyed our plants and those of others. Their actions cannot be pardoned, and no pun intended, those deer are not dear! But maybe I should say a little something in their defense.

We all need to fight our battles for survival, and the deer are no exception. They too need their food. And since they have never had a chance to be disciplined like some humans are, how can they be expected to make a sound judgment?

So perhaps we can arrive at a decision.  At least for the moment, let us forget about the destruction and instead be mesmerized by the beauty of these creatures under the canopy of the blue sky!