It is every blogger's worst nightmare to wake up one morning and learn that one of the cute baby animals they've posted about has passed away.
I take no joy whatsoever in telling you this, but Rupert, the prematurely born Muntjac deer has transcended his adorable baby body and moved on to heaven. I would give all the pageviews in the world just to bring that little baby deer back to life, and there are no words to describe the sadness I feel; only the empty boxes of Bon Bons and crumpled up tissues which now litter my bedside.
As my words continue to fail me, I find myself forced to turn to science and fact for consolation. There are an estimated 30 million deer in the United States alone. Of those 30 million, approximately 1.5 million are fatally injured in car accidents. It is my solemn hope that some of you will find your call to action in the fact that statistically there's bound to be not only just one, but many other Ruperts out there in this world. Let us pray that Rupert and his mother's sacrifices were not made in vain. Let us slow down on tree-lined roads, and let us realize that our haste is not an acceptable excuse for taking a life. Rest in peace, Rupert. Rest in peace.
- via:// Dlisted
- via:// A Deer Little Handful Called Rupert
- related:// Real Life Bambi Is Smaller, Cuter, Named Rupert
Comments
Add a comment
10.31.08
By Paxrail
Deer have the bad habit of suddenly rushing out in front of you, and if you are just tooling along at the posted speed limit, not even speeding, there really isn't much you can do about it excepthope for the best for the animal and hope YOU survive the encounter. They are invisible at night and will just dash across the road in front of you. My friends in MI wait for the police, pay for the permit on the spot, and butcher the deer for food.
Reply
12.28.08
By Patty
Paxrail,
You must be heartless. I would sooner wreck my vehicle than hit a deer.
I wish Rupert could have survived, but, he is with his mother in a better place.
I hope, Paxrail, that you come to your senses. Deer are Gods creatures. They deserve to have a habitat that has not been stolen by humans.
Reply
12.29.08
By Dan
There is no law that says one must travel the speed limit at night when the driver is moving
on a country road in a deer crossing area. I
always travel way slower than the speed limit,
and I always have my "deerdar" on as I drive on down the road. I use my high beams whenever there is no approaching traffic. It saddens me
when I leave my home in the morning only to see
two or three dead deer lying by the side of the road. There's no excuse for this.
Reply
2.27.09
By Sharon Miller
Not true Paxrail. I'm from MI & they have "deer whistles" which you install on car and it alert the deer that a car is approaching & they get out of the way. Your so called friends creep me out.
Reply
7.04.09
By Elisabeth S.
Yeah, Paxrail - there isn't a whole lot you can do. Yes, you can get a whistle, but it isn't really about your speed, now, is it? And while I don't kill animals for the heck of it, when it comes down to it I prefer my body whole and intact over a deer's. And, though personally I'd have no idea how to dress a deer, if I hit and killed one I would feel MUCH better about it if I could. The only thing I find "creepy" about your friends in MI is the question of how long the deer had been dead. But if it's still warm, I guess it doesn't matter.
I have to say that the histrionics of the author (and other commenters) were a bit surprising. I guess I haven't internalized the socialization of the internet.
Reply
9.15.09
By Emily
Jordan, I am so sorry to hear of your loss that happened almost a year ago. About 2 months ago, we found an abandoned baby squirrel in our yard and immediately began researching how to care for him. He made it about a month, and then passed away about about a month ago and it still saddens me. Rupert was precious.
Reply