Page 21 - ADeerCalledDotty

little head appeared.“It’s so tiny!”
“She,” corrected Nadia.“Look, she’s a doe.” “She’s so still,” said Jasmine. “Is she alive?” “She’s not breathing,” said Nadia.“Hold her
upside down and I’ll compress her chest.” Jasmine dangled the little creature upside down
by her back legs, while Nadia worked furiously on the chest.
“Normally the chest would be compressed as the animal’s being born,”she said,“but that doesn’t happen if it’s born by caesarean, so you have to do it manually.”
The fawn made no sound or movement. Nadia leaned over and picked one of the long tough grass stems that grew by the side of the track. She tickled the fawn’s nostrils with it.
Suddenly, the fawn gave a spluttery cough. Jasmine laughed in delight.“She’s alive!”
The fawn gasped for air.
“She’s starting to breathe,” said Nadia, still working on her chest.“That’s right, little one.
15