A Fragile Struggle
A spotted fawn scraped its hooves against the concrete wall and slid down the steep slope.
The concrete drainage ditch ran like a deep scar through the forest, its walls too steep and slick for the young animal to climb.
Each attempt to scramble upward ended with a soft thud as the fawn tumbled back onto the dry dirt floor.
A few feet above on the asphalt road, an adult doe stood near the edge, her ears twitching as she stared down at the trapped fawn.
A golden retriever trotted up to the side of the channel, pressing his nose toward the edge and peering down at the small, speckled back.
The dog barked once, then turned and galloped back through the trees toward a clearing where a wooden cabin stood.
An Urgent Interruption
In the clearing, a man wearing a red plaid flannel shirt swung a heavy axe down onto a thick log, splitting the wood with a sharp crack.
The golden retriever burst into the yard, barking loudly and jumping up toward the man’s chest.
The dog nipped gently at the air and spun around, running toward the tree line before looking back to see if the man was following.
The man set his axe down on the split log, grabbed a coil of thick rope from the side of the cabin, and draped it over his shoulder.
He ran behind the dog, his work boots kicking up dry pine needles and loose dirt as they headed deep into the forest.
The dog led the way, his tail wagging low and fast as he sprinted along a narrow dirt path.
The Rescue in the Canal
They reached the concrete canal where the doe still stood, her legs tense as she watched the newcomers approach.
The golden retriever stopped at the edge of the ditch, looking down at the fawn which had now curled up tightly against the concrete wall.
The man slid carefully down the angled side of the ditch, his boots scraping against the moss-covered concrete until he reached the bottom.
He dropped to his knees in the dust, keeping his movements slow and his hands low to the ground.
The fawn shivered, its head tucked low as the man reached out a hand to touch its back.
The man stroked the fawn’s spotted fur for several seconds, letting the young animal get used to his scent and presence.
The doe watched from the bank above, her head high and her nostrils flaring as she monitored the man’s every move.
The man slid his arms under the fawn’s front legs and belly, gently lifting the lightweight body off the ground.
He cradled the fawn against his chest as he stood up, finding his footing on the slippery slope of the ditch.
Reunited in the Woods
He stepped up onto the grassy bank, placing the fawn gently onto the soft pine needles near the road.
The fawn stood on wobbling legs for a split second before trotting quickly toward the safety of the trees, with the doe following close behind.
The man walked back toward the clearing and sat down on a fallen log, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath.
The golden retriever sat beside him, leaning his heavy head against the man’s knee.
The man smiled and scratched the dog behind the ears, letting the dog lean up to lick his chin.
The man sat on the log, stroking his golden retriever’s head while the fawn and its mother walked slowly into the tall green ferns behind them
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