Joe Kahlo
It amazing how some dogs shine when given the chance to show how loyal and protective they can be.
This is just what happened to Sarge, the 9-year-old German Shepherd when he started caring for those who needed it the most.
As a pup, Sarge was a little grumpy, constantly biting toes and chasing his siblings around the house.
This all changed when his momma brought an orphaned fawn (baby deer) named buckwheat who she found lying in the middle of the road.
“Something clicked in Sarge and he took to Buckwheat instantly,” Cheryl Stephen, Sarge’s mom, told The Dodo. “He wanted to be involved with every aspect of Buckwheat’s care.”
“He took on the role of being Buckwheat’s guardian, none of the other dogs were allowed near the baby.”
When Buckwheat the adorable fawn arrived, Sarge took it upon himself to act as the deer’s babysitter.
And buckwheat, who had recently been orphaned was grateful to have a companion who gave him comfort and security.
As the baby deer grew and learned to use his wobbly legs, Sarge moved patiently at the baby’s pace, encouraging him to explore all the while herding him out of harm’s way.
“When we’d take Buckwheat outdoors, Sarge walked alongside him and kept him from wandering,” Stephen said. “As Buckwheat grew and began venturing out on his own a little more, we would have Sarge go find him and bring him back home.”
Eventually, when Buckwheat was strong enough, he was released back into the wild. By then, word spread about Stephen and Sarge’s talent for rehabilitating orphaned and injured wild fawns. Because of this, Her phone was ringing off the hook now Sarge has many more fawns to take care of, just the way he likes it.
“When I walk in the door carrying a fawn, Sarge springs into action. He wants to check them over and he will frantically sniff and nose around to determine their condition,” Stephen said. “The fawns are drawn to Sarge and feel safe in his presence. Sarge won’t leave their side.”
Unfortunately, some of the fawn Sarge helps look after don’t always make it, and it’s always difficult for him.
“He grieves for days, [with his] head hung low and won’t eat,” Stephen said. “He has laid on the graves of his beloved fawns and refused to come inside.”
Sarge is inspirational, as these hard times don’t dampen his excitement every time a new baby deer comes through the door.
“It is my hope that these pictures will help others see just how loving and affectionate deer are. They have a soul, just like us humans,” Stephen said. “If a dog can love and care for deer, people can, too.”
Sarge is always happy to do his job, no matter what the spring brings his way.
