Deer Rescue?

Today we drove the MINI over to Lexington just to give her some exercise and us a break. Upon arrival, we were delighted to see a small local classic car show closed off the main drag. It was fun to see the 1959 Edsel Wagon and the 1960 Chevy, both classics in their own right.

A walk on the breakwall seemed like fun and then we heard sirens. Despite the fact that it was Sunday, I looked at my watch and thought it just couldn't be the first Saturday of the month, so the fire department must have a run.

A woman standing next to us pointed to a small fire department boat with one of the crew hanging from the port side holding what I first thought was a dog. It was a deer. The crewman had the deer by the horns and was attempting to get this poor creature to return to shore. It appears the deer ran out into the water and was headed for Canada!

The boat headed in, but they were only able to come in aproximately 200 feet from the shore. The waves had a pretty good swell and we hoped the deer would simply surf his way to shore once they set him free.

Unfortunately, people gathered along the breakwall close to the area where the deer needed to go. The members of the FD on shore did not take charge and direct the morons to a location where they would not disturb the rescue. The deer actually came close to the rocks along the breakwall, where it may have been able to make his way to shore, BUT along comes the young fireman with his girlfriend up the breakwall to gauwk causing the deer to head back out toward the Canadian side! It was really a cluster. Meanwhile, the deer is cold and nearly drowning!

Finally, the poor creature manages to get to shore where one of the firefighter pulls him by the antlers and drags him onto the beach. The deer held his head up, but he was so tired. I only pray the people left him alone so he might have gained back his strength.

I'm normally not one to Monday morning quarterback, but this really upset me. No one took charge, cleared the people back or made an attempt to come from the shore to get the deer. The water was not over waist deep where the deer had been freed and it seems as though a rescue donut could have been used or something similar to pull him in from the shore. Heck, a rubber raft or a small row boat would have really been the best.

Deer are very dangerous to rescue, but this deer was clearly very tired and didn't seem to be much of a risk. I was so happy he finally made it to shore. The Lexington Fire Department needs additional training for this type of rescue.

BIG RED

The old red truck came out of the "weakie barn" (named after the kittens who reside inside) last week. Nicknamed Big Red, he hauled our beloved Byron to Mackinaw Island and Apple Pi Sir Joshua to Virginia, both trips filled with cherished memories.

Never driven in the snow and garage kept, he just turned over 16,270 miles...not bad for a 1988. Removing the old Duraliner was filled with suspense since we were a bit worried about the condition of the truck bed underneath. It was great, just some scuff marks.

New tires was the first expense for Big Red, since he still had the original "shoes", which are no longer in production. They still held air, but looked a bit dry. Down to Belle Tire and we replaced the 16" with 18" chrome. Wow. Instead of "lfiting" the truck, the new wheels and tires or "tars" if you are from Virginia,
make it look very tough.

Driving BR home, he didn't feel right. A trip to Fix n' Go was my next stop. Told Joe that it felt like the rear brake calipers were not working. Sure enough, not bad for a girl, right on the money.

It's Sunday and two drive-by welfare checks have been made to be sure my truck is safe at the repair shop. I can't wait to get him back.