Buster and I are back holding down the fort at The Norfleet Wildlife Refuge + Wine Bar for the weekend. 

I was feeling very sad being back on property last night as I walked around and saw all of Blake's old haunts. 

The spot where he loved sunning himself in the morning, the spot where he loved to start

his daily mad dash across the yard which ended with a big leap over a fallen log,

the many nooks and crannies where he hid so well

anytime I needed to find him when it was time for medication... 

Just as tears started from all these memories, I heard odd footsteps coming from 

the adjacent field. I had my camera so I was able to take this photo of the "footstep" maker. 

She had a one year old baby with her. 

Seeing them at that very moment... I swear it was Blake letting me know everything was ok... -cheryl

Up until the morning he died, Blake was feeling very good. His energy was strong, his eyes were bright and his temperature was normal. He was high spirited, running around and eating normally. He was, in fact, a punky little son-of-a-gun who kept Kate on her toes with his little baby-buck ways. He was so happy where he was living. He had free rein of a huge protected shaded property that was so big he would run out of steam before he'd reach the end of it when he ran across it. He had a small pond and ducks and chickens and tortoises and cats living with him. He loved other animals and palled around with all of them. I wanted to share this with you because I think it's something to be happy about as we mourn his loss. Once Kate and Dr. Jan got him back to health those first days after he was found starving and dehydrated collapsed in the middle of the road, he lived a great healthy and happy life free from suffering. From the very beginning Kate informed me that the mortality rate of orphaned whitetail fawns is 90% and that when they do pass away it happens very quickly with little or no warning and that's what happened with Blake. Fawns raised in the wild by their mothers, completely free of any human interference, also have a high mortality rate.

While it did not end as such, Blake's story is still one of joy 

because that's what he brought to this world the short time he was here. 

And thanks to Kate, and Dr. Jan, and Margaret, and Heather, and Sue, and Larry, 

joy was what Blake knew of this world as well. -cheryl

***

Thank You

Thank you so much for all the kind words and sympathies. 

A lot of really good hearts were broken yesterday. 

He was loved and he will be missed. -cheryl

I was the public face of Blake's rescue because I wrote his blog and FB page, but I was only a part of his rescue. 

Kate Norfleet was Blake's real rescuer and she was absolutely inspiring in the time and love she gave to Blake. With a 90% mortality rate for orphaned whitetail fawns, Kate took every minute sign of illness he showed very seriously and she's the one who spent the sleepless nights medicating him and checking up on him.

I got to spend four amazing weeks as his primary care giver while Kate was off island. It was during that time that I started this blog and a Blake FB page so Kate would know how he was doing while she was away.

I am so lucky to have Kate as a friend and I am so lucky she entrusted me with Blake's care while she was away. I will cherish the time I spent with Blake for the rest of my life just as I will remember for the rest of my life the amazing care and love Blake got from Kate.

And when the shit really hit the fan, Dr. Jan was by Blake's side in a matter of minutes. Dr. Jan cared deeply for Blake and Blake would have never made it as long as he did without her expertise, love and generosity. 


Thank you both for trusting me to help and take part in Blake’s beautiful little life. -cheryl

***

Blake passed away this morning.

Blake passed away this morning. 

Blake had been battling an often fatal condition known as bloat for the last two weeks. 

This morning his bloat symptoms had returned and he was very lethargic. 

Then Blake attempted to jump into some bushes which resulted in his falling from more than 

eight feet. He was able to get up and walk but soon collapsed. 

Dr. Jan, Blake's vet, came immediately but Blake went into shock and did not make it. 

It is with great sadness that I share this news. 

Please know that Kate is the one who saved Blake.

I merely helped Kate. -cheryl

Blake: Then and Now Photos

Blake is recuperating nicely from his bloating and respiratory problems. 

I took today's photo when I went over to help give him his penicillin shot this morning.

I am so happy to report he is doing great.

OK, Blake is stabilized. He did not seem to bloat up too much when he ate while I was there. He got his penicillin shot and Mylocin drops. We are holding off on Pedialyte for the time being so as not to introduce too many new substances to his system at once. We are very happy with his health state right now. We are monitoring him closely because when a fawn gets fatally ill it happens extremely fast. He is good now but under close supervision. Thank you for all the supportive well wishes. I'll post an update tomorrow after we give him his Penicillin shot. -c