There are always stories on a farm, no two days are ever alike, and the animals challenge us constantly to alert, humane and informed. This morning, we awoke to find a doe trapped in the dog run behind the house, she was frantically throwing herself against the fences, especially when she saw the dogs (we didn’t know at first that she was there, fortunately border collies have no interest in running down a deer – if it can’t be herded, it is of no use to them).

Somehow, she had gotten in, but couldn’t get out.

First, stay calm. Second, don’t make things worse. We opened the dog gate into the pasture – she was frantic, throwing herself against one fence after another – and then withdrew. We were afraid if we got close, she would jump the outer fence and run into the road.

We remembered that she and her mother live out behind the far pasture beyond Lulu’s Crossing, towards the back of the farm. Maria went out and opened the side gates and the gates to the back pasture, I went out to get on the far side of her and steer her towards the open gates.

She ran back and forth and then, as I held my arms out, she managed to jump over the back fence, right where she and her mother usually hang out. We were sure the mother was nearby watching. We were grateful we had the dogs we have (and not Frieda) and we are calm and steady in animal emergencies and dramas now, we have had enough to be seasoned.

It all ended well. Usually, if they can get in, they can get out, but this young doe was throwing herself against the gates (even before we came out, we could hear) and could easily have broken a leg. Sometimes, deer don’t see fences or understand them. Another morning at the farm.