Patches by Ellen Miles

Fun Facts: Cows

• Just like dogs, cows use their tails to show their mood. If a cow's tail is tucked between her legs, she is cold, sick or frightened. If her tail is held straight out, she is in a playful mood.
  
  
• Cows have 320 degree vision, and can see in almost every direction---except directly behind them---without moving their heads.
  
  
• Smells are also very important to their communication and behavior, and cows can detect smells up to five miles away.

One summer day, a female Mule Deer was hit by a car on Interstate 90 near Cle Elum, WA. A newborn fawn lay next to her feeling confused and in a state of shock as cars sped by. Fortunately, someone knew who to call, and a wildlife rehabilitator named Marnee came to help.

Marnee hurried to the scene of the accident. Sadly she discovered that the mother deer had died, but amazingly the little male fawn was not hurt. Marnee carefully wrapped him in a blanket and brought him to the PAWS Wildlife Center so he could be raised with other fawns who were already at PAWS.

The baby Mule Deer grew up with three other orphaned deer. They received a lot of care at PAWS. The wildlife rehabilitators made sure the deer were fed the right food, gave them checkups and watched them closely to make sure they were growing up healthy and strong.

The deer slowly transformed from spotted, awkward, spindly-legged youngsters to muscular young adults. By November they were ready to take care of themselves and go back into the wild.

There was excitement in the air as the deer were loaded into their transport containers and driven to two different protected, natural habitat areas. It was finally the Mule Deer's turn to be set free. He slowly backed out of his container, looked around and stuck his tongue out as though he was testing the air. He began to explore, listening with his long ears and sniffing the air with his twitching nose. Finally, he realized this was where he belonged, and trotted off down a wooded slope, enjoying his freedom.

If you see a baby deer have an adult you trust call PAWS. Sometimes mother deer leave their babies alone while they search for food. Other times, the fawn may need your help. Remember the rules to helping an orphaned or injured wild animal: 1) Don't touch 2) Get an adult you trust 3) Call PAWS for help at 425.787.2500 x817.

Kids Helping Animals is published by the Humane Education Program of the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). A Northwest leader in protecting animals since 1967, PAWS shelters homeless animals, rehabilitates injured and orphaned wildlife, and empowers people to demonstrate compassion and respect for animals in their daily lives.

All Rights Reserved. ©2008 Progressive Animal Welfare Society.