Turn of luck

Clouds blocked the dawn stirring up childhood fears (Are YOU afraid of the dark?); I forgot Paddy's water; Paddy - deciding she is a GUARD dog, not a watch dog - growl-barked and lunged at a (strange) runner. I decided to try the first meadow anyway.

The meadow was empty and it seemed we were either too early or too late when one doe entered the meadow from our right and stopped...took a step, then another...then took a step towards us as Paddy and I held our breath (sometimes Paddy is the best behaved, most intuitive animal). Suddenly the deer let out a warning noise - like the lout "shushing" of a mother or an exhausted exhale of breath. She and two other does broke into a run across the meadow while Paddy and I stood motionless. Then we headed home...