A heartwarming story of cross-species adoption has captured the hearts of millions online, proving that family isn't always defined by species. The incredible bond formed between a golden retriever and an abandoned baby deer on a farm in Missouri, USA, serves as a remarkable testament to animal compassion.
From Rescue to Unlikely Adoption
The story began in 2024 on a farm run by a couple who share their life under the social media username '@brownhikingtrails'. They were familiar with a local doe they had named Belle, who surprised them by giving birth right at their gate. Their initial delight turned to concern when they noticed the newborn fawn was immediately covered in flies.
Hesitant to interfere, the couple waited. However, three days later, they found the fawn in a dire state. "Baby was ridden with maggots in all its’ orifices and a wound in knee, we quickly intervened," the couple explained on TikTok. After treating the severe infestations with a vinegar and water solution, the mother deer, Belle, unfortunately rejected her offspring.
Junie the Golden Retriever Steps Up
With the fawn, now named Biscuit, needing care, an unexpected surrogate mother emerged: the family's golden retriever, Junie. The dog instinctively began to look after the vulnerable fawn, offering comfort and companionship. Even the family cat appeared to accept the new arrival, seen in one video gently licking the baby deer.
Videos shared by the couple show Biscuit integrating fully into the household. In one clip from 3 January, the fawn is seen resting on a dog bed while the two family golden retrievers circle protectively. The bond only deepened as Biscuit grew.
A Lifelong Bond Defies Expectations
Remarkably, the friendship has endured. Years later, Biscuit is now a full-grown deer but continues to live happily with the family and her canine siblings. A viral video with over 72.3 million views shows the two dogs lying on a shared bed. Biscuit, wearing a matching collar, chooses to squeeze onto the same bed with them rather than use an empty one inches away.
"When they say 'he needs his own bed'. Yeah he doesn’t want his own bed, he wants their bed," the owners captioned the post. Followers, numbering 440,700, regularly see Biscuit joining forest walks, cuddling on the sofa, and partaking in daily farm life. The couple also ensures she socialises with wild deer in the area, but she consistently returns home.
The online response has been one of sheer amazement. "I love how dogs just adopt anything that breathes," wrote one commenter. Another joked, "So I CAN have a pet deer... I need to speak with my husband." This extraordinary tale from Missouri showcases the profound and unexpected connections that can form in the animal kingdom.
