Bambi in the Backyard

 Can you believe this adorable baby deer (fawn) on the steps in our backyard.  I know it is called a fawn but it is so tiny and sweet that we just had to keep calling it a baby deer.  We were so worried that the fawn was dying because she would let us get right next to her and she wouldn't even flinch.  We thought the fawn might have eaten the leaves on our tomato plants, which can be poisonous to dogs and other animals.  We were so worried about the fawn.  We called animal control and the only thing they offered to do was to come over and euthanize the fawn.  We wanted to help the deer not kill it.  So, we got a hold of a native animal service, and they were more informed and told us not to worry.  We found out that it is very common for the doe to leave the fawn, get food, and then return hours later.  The fawn returned later that night and we were so relieved.

The next day Mike was doing yard work and stumbled upon the fawn again.  This time she was hidden in a much better spot.  She was tucked under the bird bath in the back of our yard.  We learned that the fawn was less than 5 days old, because after 5 days old when they are approached they will get up and walk away.  Also, we learned that when the fawn is first born it doesn't have any scent, so the mother can leave it behind to get food, and the fawn won't have a scent for predators to track.

Sooo Cute!

Naomi was a little concerned the first night we saw the deer she was YELLING for Ethan and McKay to get in the house.  She also couldn't go to bed that night because she was scared of the deer.  She was doing really well the next day, letting me get her close to the deer.

The kids loved checking her out and getting so close.  Ethan had a little friend over and he told his mom that it was so cool we had a pet deer.  I didn't want to leave the fawn because I thought that would probably be the last time we saw her, especially so close and personal.          

I wish she was our pet deer.