OH DEER!

Gen 1:26

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Dominion over every thing that creepeth upon the earth?
Tell them that!

When we moved in our house, I noticed that we were close to a forest preserve and we don’t have a fence around our yard. I could see foot prints of every type of animal known to this area. That never bothered me but over the years I’ve come to learn that the animals have more personality than people and are a riot to watch.

During the winter, deer frequent our yard. They would just pass through because our yard is part of their usual path they took looking for food. Neighbors were used to seeing them. But ducks saw my bird feeders one day and asked me for some seeds they could reach. The deer have taken to look for left over seeds and it never bothered me.

The squirrels felt cheated so I found some stuff for them to munch on. They’re good little guys and again I didn’t mind. Then I realized that the deer wanted their leftovers as well. This has lead to some comical sights.

One day I found a bird feeder in the driveway, way in front of the house. I could see a lot of hoof prints leading up to the smashed feeder. The feeder had been on a pole with a bungee cord and the deer had the bungee cord tangled on his antlers and the feeder had been bouncing around, beating him in the face. I still laugh at the thought of that fool animal wondering what was hitting him repeatedly.

Yesterday, I put some treats for the squirrels in a bowl. I went to the front of the house for just a minute to get the mail and when I came back the bowl was licked clean but there wasn’t an animal in sight. A dozen squirrels couldn’t have emptied the bowl that fast.

Today, I filled the bowl but this time I sat down on the back porch very quietly and waited. Soon, I could hear movement and then I saw it; a deer peeking around the corner of the house, antlers and all. Every time I turned my head towards him, he would back away. It was like playing peek-a-boo with a grown deer. I gave up and went in the house. My animals just aren’t normal.

In case you were worried about their safety, you don’t have to worry. One night I was at the corner of 75th and Woodridge Drive and watched them cross only when the light turned green. They cut through a nearby park, across some open yards and through our yard. Where they go when they head west of our house, I couldn’t say but they follow the same route all winter. They stop that routine after they eat the first batch of tulips. This neighborhood grows great tulip stems.

In all seriousness, I feel blessed that animals trust me. I have a robin that will land on me and many birds that follow me around. Squirrels will eat from my hand and skunks come to me for water in the very hot months. None of them fear me which I find weird because predators won’t come anywhere near me.

I think it comes from being handicapped. I have to move slowly and since I know they are watching me, I talk so they get used to my voice. I fill the bird feeders more for amusement. They all get some snacks and I get a lot of entertainment.

One time I had a bad fall and wasn’t sure I wanted to get up. I laid still until I was sure that it was okay to move and several squirrels gathered around and one stood on my shoulder to see if I was okay. It was then that I learned about dominion.

The animals accept their place in the food chain but people are takers. We take their habitat and give nothing back. Nowhere in Genesis did it say, “Take until it’s gone”. It doesn’t mean they can be our best buddies either but when you take time to get to know them you will learn a lot.

The most amazing thing is when another species trusts you. There are no words they will understand or care to hear. They know more about you without ever saying a word but we will pay an outrageous amount to talk to a psychiatrist with no immediate results.

I had a fall once in public and nobody offered a hand and kids snickered at the sight. Not one person looked in my eyes to see if I was okay. Volumes could be written about those people but who would read it?

I often think God would retract all statements about dominion if He spent a day in my yard and then looked at the takers around them. Animals are gregarious, playful, often silly but always sincere and hard working. God gave us dominion but do we deserve it?

Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Psalm 119:133