Life is filled with unexpected surprises, some pleasant, and others not so much. I was reminded of this recently when I learned about a touching story that reinforces the value of kindness and compassion. It is a story about a woman, a white-faced fawn named Dragon, and the determination to give the little one a chance at life, even when nature seemed to be against him.
We humans know that everyone is different, and those differences make us special and unique. They’re something to be proud of. However, in the case of animals, being different from the rest can sometimes make you an outcast. When Dragon was born, his mother knew that something wasn’t right. Perhaps she interpreted his differences to mean that he’d be weak, had a deformity, and wouldn’t survive. For whatever reason, she rejected her fawn and focused on her other babies. Poor Dragon was left to fend for himself in the wild.
Dragon’s uniqueness has a name – it’s known as “piebald”. Hilary Powell of Deer Tracks Junction in Cedar Springs, Missouri, explained that when an animal is piebald, it has patches on its body with no pigmentation. In Dragon’s case, his entire face was white, giving him a strikingly beautiful appearance, but it didn’t sit right with his mother. Hilary explained that “the white makes him stand out so he can’t hide from predators, and he can’t hear or see as well as a regular deer, so he can’t hear or see predators coming”.
Thankfully, Dragon was rescued from the wild and given a second chance at life. Around 1 percent of the entire deer population is born with a white face, so Dragon truly was a rare gem. While he was thriving, that’s not to say that he might not face complications down the line. Dragon’s striking appearance led to his rejection by his mother, but he quickly gathered his own human fans. The attention was probably normal to him; he had it all his life!
Kelly Powell, another member of Deer Tracks Junction, shared an update on Dragon’s health during a television appearance. He mentioned that Dragon was being monitored closely, fed four times a day, and growing well, although there was still a long way to go. The family farm, where Dragon lived, hosted more than just deer – there were horses, sheep, pigs, alpacas, donkeys, bunnies, goats, camels, and even bears, as well as an ice cream shop.
Sadly, Dragon passed away after about a year of living on the farm with his human family. While it is heartbreaking that Dragon has crossed the rainbow bridge, it is comforting to know that he was so loved in life. Dragon’s story reminds us of the importance of compassion and the difference it can make in the lives of others, whether they are human or animal.
Let us be inspired by Dragon’s story and remember to show kindness and compassion to all creatures, big and small. If you are touched by this story, please share it with your friends and family, and let’s spread the message of love and care for all animals.
