A spotted fawn scraped its hooves against the concrete wall and slid down the steep slope.<\/p>\n
The concrete drainage ditch ran like a deep scar through the forest, its walls too steep and slick for the young animal to climb.<\/p>\n
Each attempt to scramble upward ended with a soft thud as the fawn tumbled back onto the dry dirt floor.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The dog barked once, then turned and galloped back through the trees toward a clearing where a wooden cabin stood.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The golden retriever burst into the yard, barking loudly and jumping up toward the man\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
He ran behind the dog, his work boots kicking up dry pine needles and loose dirt as they headed deep into the forest.<\/p>\n
The dog led the way, his tail wagging low and fast as he sprinted along a narrow dirt path.<\/p>\n
They reached the concrete canal where the doe still stood, her legs tense as she watched the newcomers approach.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The man slid carefully down the angled side of the ditch, his boots scraping against the moss-covered concrete until he reached the bottom.<\/p>\n
He dropped to his knees in the dust, keeping his movements slow and his hands low to the ground.<\/p>\n
The fawn shivered, its head tucked low as the man reached out a hand to touch its back.<\/p>\n
The man stroked the fawn\u2019s spotted fur for several seconds, letting the young animal get used to his scent and presence.<\/p>\n
The doe watched from the bank above, her head high and her nostrils flaring as she monitored the man\u2019s every move.<\/p>\n
The man slid his arms under the fawn\u2019s front legs and belly, gently lifting the lightweight body off the ground.<\/p>\n
He cradled the fawn against his chest as he stood up, finding his footing on the slippery slope of the ditch.<\/p>\n
He stepped up onto the grassy bank, placing the fawn gently onto the soft pine needles near the road.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The man walked back toward the clearing and sat down on a fallen log, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath.<\/p>\n
The golden retriever sat beside him, leaning his heavy head against the man\u2019s knee.<\/p>\n
The man smiled and scratched the dog behind the ears, letting the dog lean up to lick his chin.<\/p>\n
The man sat on the log, stroking his golden retriever\u2019s head while the fawn and its mother walked slowly into the tall green ferns behind them<\/p>\n