June 29th, 2006

My poor truck. Until a couple nights ago, it was newer and it was straight.. that is until a suicidal doe deer ran into the passenger side of the truck. She took out the grill, the side marker, the whole front quarter panel, dented the door and scratched the bed. But I did not know that until later.... I parked at the side of the road and ran back to check on her first She was not quite dead, but died in my arms about a minute and a half after I got to her. I am glad I did not have to finish her off. I checked to make sure she was not lactating and I did not have to look for a fawn. She was probably a yearling.

Since it is illegal to move her, I had to leave her, but I felt horrible wasting her meat like that.. just leave it alongside the road. At the very least, she could have been utilized to feed dogs.

The road is so brushy there, she was not quite out of the bushes by the time she hit me. My bf was with me and his eyes got a little big. I am surprised that the impact did not move my truck more. I have trained myself over the years to never swerve as I know too many people who have died due to swerving for dogs in the roadway. I think my bf was impressed that I just slow down, and do not swerve.. there was an oncoming car, but I never saw it until they stopped as I ran back. Funnily enough it was a client from the vet clinic and she also stopped and she said she knew the deer was in good hands with me.. it was only after she said that to me that I recognized the woman... though I know her well.. as I was concentrating on the doe more and seeing what I could do for her.

I was sad, she (the deer) was a beautiful little thing. But there was too much thoratic and head trauma. At least she went quickly.

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