Deer Dancing

I am a light sleeper, and anything that goes in my house, I am aware of. I used to hear the cats walk into my bedroom. It woke me up. I heard the newspaper delivery car, I heard the neighbor get home who worked nights, I heard it all. My bedroom in my old house was in the front. This bedroom is in the back. I find more activity goes on in the back of this house at night.

Two nights ago, I was snuggled up with Molly on my right,under the covers, and Baby on my left, also under the covers. 364 days a year they sleep like this. One night a year, they switch for one night. It seems to be by mutual agreement.

Anyway, two nights ago I was only half asleep about 3:15 am. I am positive Molly was asleep. The next thing I know, Molly is barking her little head off and trying to claw her way out of the window. Remember, I don't have a headboard. I have a bay window instead. Less than two seconds later, Baby is also barking at the window, and much louder. I started to shush them, then I remembered Roomie is out of town, and all the windows are closed (this time of year, they are never, ever open), so they aren't bothering anyone except me.

I lifted my tired head and blearily tried to see outside. It's not too easy to see through windows at 3:15 am when there are no lights on outside. I scanned around and saw deer. Two, at first. I am pretty sure there were more. Every night they run through my backyard, and leave prints. As far as I know, they generally just run through.

That night, they decided to hang around and dance around the trees, play with each other, pee on the ground, drop a load or two, and generally act much like squirrels do when they hear dogs barking and know, just know, that the dogs can't do anything about it. At times, they were closer than 10 feet from us. Did you know that deer play a form of tag?

My dogs were tormented for 45 minutes. I watched outside to see the deer dance. I had no idea they have the mentality of squirrels. I have lived in a state with a high population of whitetails all my life, and I haven't seen this behavior before.

It was worth being disturbed at 3:15 am. I just hope the glass in my windows is pretty tough. Luckily the dogs can't really stand on the ledge and put their full weight on the glass like they could in my old house.

I once was working in the yard when Molly was fairly young, and she was watching me from the bay window in the old house. It was summer, and I had the window open. I looked up, and she had her full weight on the screen, front legs up, stretched out, trying to get to me. I had instant visions of her going right through - it wasn't a ground level window! I never again, no matter how hot it got, left the windows open in the bedroom again wide enough for her to fit through the opening. Screens are not going to hold two 30-lb dogs for long.

If the deer decide to come indoors to play, the windows are not going to be much good either. I wonder if they would eat the food I cook for the dogs? I wouldn't want to be a rude hostess.

At least I never use venison.

 

(NO, I do NOT put out any food for wildlife! I know better than that!)