Greetings, Beholden!
I like this, and I can totally relate to it.
You did a great job of telling about this possible once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter, so it’s no wonder it would have been cemented in your memory. Your descriptions of your surroundings were well done, as was the game you played with Rufus. But what stood out to me was the effect that waterbuck had on you by seemingly making itself appear as a man as it stood face to face with you! I don’t know if these animals know they’re doing that (you mentioned you’d read about it), or if it’s built into their genes as a ‘self-protective’ kind of thing, but it’s still cool.
And that line about you being one with the buck was a perfect way to end this.
Bravo!
I was raised in the country, and I spent a good portion of my life cutting firewood in the forest. I’ve seen things in the woods that ‘city-slickers’ couldn’t even imagine! The one that I’ll never forget was the day when we were taking a break eating lunch. My partner and I had been cutting in this same area for a couple of days and we’d seen some deer grazing at a distance, but we left them alone and they left us alone (naturally!). But on this day I was sitting on the tailgate of my truck eating an apple when a doe suddenly walked up behind me and just stood there looking at me! I don’t know if it was mentally challenged or what, but it wasn’t scared of me at all! I think I even said, “Well, hello there,” (but it didn’t say anything back  ). For some reason I held out my hand with the apple and the doe took it in her mouth, dropped it to the ground, and proceeded to eat it right there in front of me! Then when she was done, she just casually strolled away back into the woods!
I don’t expect anybody to believe this, but my partner, who was sitting about 20 yards away, witnessed it.
And that, my friend, will not be forgotten!
By the way, please don’t give up on getting published! I also used to think it was impossible, but since it was one of my dreams, I made a promise to myself back in 2012 that come hell or high water, I’d get something published.
Fortunately, somebody turned me onto a site called duotrope that lists thousands of places to get published! With them, I ended up getting three short stories published before the year was out!
You really should check it out. They even have a free 30 day (or longer?) trial basis!
https://duotrope.com/
Kee ponw ritin gon, Beholden! Thanks for sharing this, and welcome to WdC! If you like to write (and according to your portfolio introduction, you do), then you’re going to love it here!
PS-You might want to get your bioblock (biography) set up so we can know a little something more about you (hobbies, favorite books/authors, location, etc.), but that's up to you, of course.
PSS-And since you’re new here, perhaps you’d like to check out "Noticing Newbies"  and introduce yourself to the rest of the community if you haven’t already.
PSSS-If you want more exposure for your items you can put them on the Please Review Page or The Shameless Plug Page under Community on the left hand side.
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