I was on my way to the shop early for once and decided to take the freeway.I got off at the exit and there in the middle of four lanes of traffic was a baby doe maybe three days old?BELIEVE ME I STOPPED ALL TRAFFIC IN BOTH DIRECTIONS!Funny as she walked right up to me knowing I was there to help then got spooked and ran to the side of the road.She collapsed in some bushes and we the on lookers assumed it was her nest.The delightful ladies at DIABLO RAPID PRINT called the LINDSAY WILDLIFE MUSEUM they said, “leave her be the mother is out eating!”So, we did as we were told and I left telling the GRAND GALS to give me an update when the MOM came back!Two hours and fifteen minutes later I have a call that the dear little one is now down by the supermarket!No Mother appeared so what do I do?What every MOTHER and normal compassionate person does I close my store with great speed,call DIABLO RAPID PRINT back to go buy me a baby bottle as there is no way I can do that and leave her in the car and get my self up the hill!To find her in a new set of bushes.With another scary moment of four lanes of traffic, we were able to pick her up with no problems…………..and head home in my FIAT 500!Jane Doe, sat on my lap the entire way licking my arm trying to nurse……………once home I gave her a baby bottle with baby formula which she tried and drank with gusto!My dogs were just the best MOM’s.They did not frighten her, they licked her and knew they had to be watchful of her every move.Then the ITALIAN HUSBAND enters and says where are you going to keep her?Here I respond………..thinking about AUDREY HEPBURN and her baby doe she even took to the supermarket!She will become a pet just like Duke and Winston!I lost that vision and drove her to the LINDSAY MUSEUM where she was taken from my arms, to be cataloged by a number.Later that day the museum called back wanting to know exactly where I found her as I explained to the volunteer when I left here there……….I went through it again not once but twice explaining this was not a safe environment for her and a very busy street!Do you know why I had to go through it twice?They wanted to release her last night back where I found her!DO YOU THINK SHE WILL BE WAITING FOR ME TODAY?If so, if you were me what would you do in this situation?
Penelope Bianchi says
Holy COW!!! Isn’t there a “Wildlife Care Network?”!! I would have done the exact same thing you did!
How sad! Can you go see if the mother came? I would go there and see what is going on!
Penny
Penelope Bianchi says
The Lindsay Museum IS the “Wildlife Care Network”! I think they are doing the right thing; you can go see (but stay 100 yards away) ; I hope the mother comes back! I think they will stay nearby to make sure!!
I have heard of this happening; and the mother has come back!
Fingers crossed!
theDOGSgarden says
OHHHHH the photos are unreal, looks like the ‘little one’ belongs right along with everything else — LOVE the picture with the dogs. What a story & ordeal for you … I would be heartbroken. Fingers crossed the MOM will find the baby and all will be well!!!
Jody Brettkelly says
Oh she’s lovely. We used to have lambs and calves when we were little Yes fingers crossed the Mama comes back. (and on the practical side…Just make sure she didn’t give the dogs ticks…)
Mary says
You did a good deer deed! Brava!
fifi says
You arte THE best!
Keep your baby!!!!
Love you.
xoxoxo fifi
foodiefan says
She is so beautiful and you are a born mother! Remember bottle feeding our lambs too when the mother had died or rejected them with their little tails wagging. Hopefully she won’t venture onto the freeway again.
The Baroness says
Oh Contessa, I see in your eyes in the photos how deeply concerned and in love and awe you are for the Dearest Little Deer. Your love and care is inspiring. Good Luck to the Little Deer. Brava for your Selfless job well done. Please keep us posted. Thank you for reminding us that we share our lives with the creatures everyday all around us and we need to be mindful of their presence and importance and fragility! Brava Contessa, Ti amo!!!
Michele says
Mother Dear….a mother’s day gift from nature, maybe? Good job Elizabeth!!
Linda T says
What a dilemma. I hope the mother returns. She is cute, but I don’t see even your powers of persuasion convincing Giampiero to keep her!
Deborah Miles says
Sorry I missed the part about the wildlife. Boy, they need to change their ways don’t they? I love animals so much it just brings tears to my eyes thinking of the fear the little one is going through.
Thank you,
Deborah Miles
Nancy Case says
This is utterly priceless! Only the Contessa would embrace this with the natural heart of one who always has her antenna up for an adventure full of heart and love and compassion. Truly, one of the most endearing posts ever. May I pop in for a visit?? What shall I bring the precious guest??
xoxo Fancynancy
sarah says
She is so sweet, so dainty & perfect, so fragile! how lucky was she to escape fate on the freeway and fall into your arms for nurturing and comfort, but where is mum? The thought of her being put back……..hate to think. If she is there again today, well, it would be very tempting to take her home.
Principessa says
interesting how all of the comments are universally heartfelt and filled with compassion. I agree, the most touching blog post to date. Will hold a good thought and may have to venture by the site to sneak a peek of the dear deer one. You are the best. P
Kellee says
I cannot tell you how much I love this blog and hearing your voice in the writing! YOU ARE SO FABULOUS! I say adopt Jane Doe.
Kellee, x
PS. LOVE the ladies at DRP
Penelope Bianchi says
Do we have a sequel ?
Do not every throw those pics away!
( “A peak experience” if ever I have seen one!)
Heather in Arles says
This is so beautiful and moving…and very you to take such wonderful care of the baby doe. My goodness, I would be so worried. Will you please keep us updated?
Bisous,
H
Mary Beth says
This is amazing~Audrey Hepburn came to mind immediately. You certainly fit the part in so many ways. So glad to know that you are trying to save the little “Dear Deer” and help her make the “natural” transition back to her nest. Does it look possible that her mother was hit by a car, and any other fawns as well?
Love your store too!
Renee says
Contessa, I LOVE you!
Kathryn Phillips says
How glorious!! You are so lucky to have found such a darling!! What did u name it!! Was it hard to let her go? I would have been devistated. Well I miss you. Hope to see u soon!
Penelope Bianchi says
You have to tell ……..what happened/
even if it is bad news……..what did they tell you!
Penny
cindy lauper says
OMG, i knew you were a kindred spirit when i met you earlier this week in your shop! please give us an update queen elizabeth, how is the dear deer? also, would love to bring you tea sometime (maybe we should make it ice tea?). take care new friend 🙂
contessa says
Cindy!MOTHER OF THE GROOM, how could I forget you!I did call about the dear dear DEER and they kept her so all my ranting and raving worked!I was very happy when I found out they hadnot released her….back where she was found!I shall call again and check on her tomorrow!Please do bring me some ice tea I would love that!.
cindy lauper says
loved the pix of your garden (it was enchanted just like i thought it would be!) and the dear deer update (looks like a happy ending)… popped over to the HEN HOUSE last friday after lunch w/a friend and realized you were off in that beautiful garden of yours. went to a consignment store in phill that has dresses from the closed SANDY’S and think i found “it” (believe you’d approve since it is lacey & vintage looking).
have a special mother’s day (and every day!)
Jill Kamler says
I love the pictures of your garden in May!!! What a paradise ! Both Pete and I read the dear deer story and chuckled when thinking of all the steps towards rescue and release including the mother and Italian husband:)
contessa says
MANY Steps……………YOUR RIGHT!YOU did it!BRAVA!
maria at inredningsvis says
OMGGG I LOVE this post:) you look sooo cute with that little amazing dear. Did It ever found Its mother????
If you like cute ballerina shoes…check out my blog:)
Have a wonderful weekend dear
LOVE Maria
Marsha @ Splenderosa says
Of course, I would have gone right back there to get her. She would have had a special enclosure built for her right on my 1 acre of property in the middle of Houston, and if she wanted to come into the house she would have been welcomed. What a wonderful, splendid woman you are. Naturally, you jumped out of the car and protected the little creature. Big huge hug, Elizabeth !!!
contessa says
Of course, you would have because we are SISTERS on so many levels!THATS what I did ALMOST………..Got side tracked “BY DOING THE RIGHT THING!”Never again I will always go with my HEART!I took her to an animal museum where they help wild animals then release………she died 7 days later.Because I am just certain they did not touch and LOVE her and left her on a cold cement floor.THis is one of those times when I really beat myself up………the dogs loved her and washed her I fed her from a bottle…….and Yes, she could have eaten my entire garden that would have been okay!AS far as the house……MY CASA would have been her CASA too!IT was a BEAUTIFUL experience………
kim says
I love this story! Of course you did this. The pictures are precious. I love that your animals were good to her too. I do hope she found her mom. Audrey had to eventually return her to a zoo or something and the poor fawn cried. She said she was mad at herself for letting it get so close to her. I think it shows how much she and you love animals. Hope you have a good weekend! I wouldn’t go through the tunnel either! xo Kim
Lillian Plummer says
I am sad and heartbroken to learn the precious little doe died 7 days after being taken to the animal museum. I know the little baby doe would have thrived in your home receiving love and nurturing. I know you feel bad but you did what you were told was the right thing to do. xxx