Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Wild Kingdom: Blind Pet Deer and Guide Dog Best of Buddies

Brandon, Maple the deer and Shakespeare the Guide Dog
Three years ago, GDB graduate Brandon Foshee adopted a baby deer who was blind and named it Maple. Brandon decided to adopt the baby fawn after it was abandoned by its mother and rescued by a local forester. When Maple was found she only weighed 4.5 pounds and needed to be bottle fed.

When Brandon brought the 1 week-old baby deer home, his first Guide Dog, Salsa, a female yellow Lab treated Maple like she was her pup. In 2009, Brandon was partnered with his current Guide Dog, Shakespeare, a male black Lab. Since Maple and Shakespeare are close in age, they have a more spirited sibling relationship. When out of harness, Shakespeare and Maple run around the yard for hours playing with each other.

Maple has another unusual trait… she loves meat. If Brandon is cooking up something on the BBQ and brings it inside to eat, Maple will knock at the back door with her hoof.

Brandon is not sure if Maple thinks she is a dog or a deer.

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