A former Marine named Ralph Dorn was looking for his pet, a Labrador Retriever named Harley, when he saw the dog doing something heroic. They were at his property in Tallapoosa County near Lake Martin. From afar, the veteran could see his pooch swimming toward something unusual. A closer look after a few seconds made him realize it was a fawn struggling to stay afloat.
Harley was trying to guide the small deer back to the shore gently. When Ralph got to the lake, his dog was already pushing the fawn out to dry land. As he knew they were already safe, the dog owner took pictures of them. Their story later became viral.
Compassionate canine
Ralph later asked around if anyone had seen what happened before the dog came to the wild animal’s rescue. No one did. There was no clear story of how the fawn got far into the lake.
All they knew was that Harley dove in to save the dog. He must have heard the young creature crying and didn’t hesitate to help.
The veteran said his pooch even licked the frightened animal as soon as they were on land. A few seconds later, the fawn’s mother arrived and took her child away.
Best buddies
The next morning, Ralph noticed his dog getting antsy. He opened the door to their yard because he thought he needed to use the bathroom. Harley quickly bolted out the door, but instead of going to his usual spots, he ran to the woods and stopped on the edge of it. Waiting for him was the fawn he had saved the previous day.
The young creature was bleating loudly, and Harley must have heard the cries. When the two animals were close to each other, they touched noses and wagged their tails. The fawn started kissing the dog all over, seemingly grateful for what he had done the day before. After a few minutes, the pooch ran back home.
Ralph doesn’t know how often the two have seen each other in the days that followed. But he is sure they have started a beautiful friendship.
Source: Ralph Dorn via Facebook
