Deer Demolition Derby

Deer Demolition Derby? Having citizens bringing in injured wildlife was and continues to be a daily occurrence at the Peninsula Humane Society but sometimes good intentions will get your car destroyed. Case in point, and well meaning woman came across a injured mature deer laying in the roadway, and with assistance from some passing motorists they loaded the animal in the back of her new Volvo station wagon and she transported it to our doorstep. Having survived so far through the Baptism of Fire and the in's and out's of Murphy's Law this situation didn't look good to me and it was about to get worse. Now I love wildlife, birds and fish and bears and skunks, heck, I grew up on Disney and prior to working with the agency I try to talk to the animals through my mind? but it didn't work at least not like it did in the movies or on TV like Gentle Ben and Flipper? So while preparing my tranquilizing gear to ensure a safe removal Bambie woke up and wasn't pleased with her new surroundings. With the vehicle still running and the drivers door opened first thing to go was the rear window followed by the right passengers window as well along with the front windshield. My good Samaritan kept screaming, "What the Beep, What the Beep, What the Beep" and I couldn't agree with her more especially when the disorientated deer kicked the car into drive causing it to jump the curb and come to a complete stop with the help of a eucalyptus tree. During all this commotion the deer disappeared behind the backseat allowing me a perfect shot to the hindquarters and at the same time I turned off the car engine and handed the owner the keys. Her eyes bulged in disbelief and her face was cherry red with veins popping out in several directions. She was on her perhaps fortieth what the beep but you could hardly hear her because I think the poor thing strained her voice. The deer would take approximately five minute to start responding to the tranquilizer so we covered the vehicle with blankets and sat the woman in the front office lobby while someone called her husband. Her eye's were now fixed and empty and she started to mumble something like, " new car, insurance won't cover this, husband, kill, why? am I dreaming, please". I was more concerned for her than the deer at this point who was removed and quickly seen by our veterinarian and wildlife staff. Well the Fire Department arrived as well as the Police and just after the car was towed the woman's husband showed up to picked her up. Zombie like he lead her out of the building to an awaiting car and as they drove off all I could see was him shaking his head violently until they drove out of sight and I don't think he ever said a word. The good news was the deer recovered and showed no signs of internal or external injuries or any additional trauma which resulted in a return to the wild that very same day. I didn't have the heart to notify that woman of the outcome believing somethings should remain unspoken?