Sugar the Ferocious

I open the door to take Sugar for her morning oblations, and there, big as life on the front lawn, stands a tall leggy doe. She is huge. She is so close to the porch I can see her soft eyes and the smoothness of her nose. Sugar growls. She does not bark, but the low rumble of her displeasure and concern echoes unabated. The doe is as startled as we are, but she does not bolt. She stands perfectly motionless, assessing the situation. Something has attracted her to our building, something she wants. I don't think any of the flowering bushes are the draw. Maybe the birdfeeder with its seeds and grains?

She turns away from the building, facing the woods, ready to run if she thinks she is in danger. Sugar continues her warning growl. The doe flicks an ear, then without warning, suddenly takes off - not towards the nearest woods but towards the drive and the woods on the other side of the road. Sugar dashes after the doe as far as the leash will allow. I hang on for dear life. For a few short seconds, time seems to suspend as I watch the two of them run at top speed across the yard towards safety for the doe. They are neck and neck, two blurs of fur and tan and white and hoof and tails.

The leash reaches its limit and Sugar stops, still growling. The doe disappears into the brush and is gone. What a way to begin a new week! Whew!