Deerly appreciated

I was hand walking my injured horse when I heard a friend ask, "Do you want to go on a trail ride?"

The question seemed like it was addressed to me, but I knew it wasn't. It's been a long time since I had a horse who could go down the trail. No one asks me anymore. 

I listened wistfully as my friends made their ride plans. 

I thought, "I miss that."

Also, "I miss those trails."

The next day, I brought Piper to the barn with me.

She watched as I took care of Sage.

Then we hit the trail.

We walked alongside the golf course, past the no-longer-red tree, down to the stream, along the path and finally, back to the barn.

It was a nice walk, but nothing special.

We were just about to turn down the alleyway when I heard a twig snap. I looked up, and right there in front of us was a deer.

He was so close!

I took a couple big steps backward and pulled out my camera.

Piper was completely nonplussed. When I say this dog has zero prey drive, this is what I'm talking about.

We hung out with the deer for a little bit.

Then we carefully made our way around the corner and walked back to the barn.

What had started out as a pleasant semi-suburban stroll ended as an almost-trail-ride experience.

Thank you, little friend! I really needed that.