Carrie Long, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator associated with Texas Fawn and Friends, is well-known for her expertise in rescuing deer. However, her compassion extends beyond deer, as evidenced when she received a distress call about a 3-week-old baby raccoon.

This raccoon, later named Jasper, was discovered alone during a rainstorm after his mother had abandoned him. Jasper, believed to be the smallest in his litter, was found soaked in a pool of water. The woman who found him reached out to Long for assistance.

“We weren’t sure he was going to survive,” Long admitted to The Dodo. Despite the uncertainty, Long’s nurturing care became a lifeline for the young raccoon. Under her attentive care, Jasper not only survived but also thrived.

He grew into a healthy adult raccoon, and although he had the freedom to return to the wild, he chose to remain at the sanctuary. Having experienced the loneliness of abandonment himself, Jasper decided he could provide companionship to the orphaned deer at Texas Fawn and Friends.

Jasper found camaraderie among the 75 deer residing in the sanctuary, but he formed a special bond with a deer named Hope. “Hope was a fawn that I received that had also lost her mother,” Long shared with My Modern Met. Jasper’s playful interactions with Hope, who was larger than the dogs he also enjoyed playing with, brought joy to both of them.

Whenever Jasper spots Hope, his excitement is palpable. He rushes to her, licking her face and embracing her in a hug. Their endearing interactions have captured the hearts of many, with one video of them playing together gaining over 55,000 views. The video showcases Jasper’s playful antics, including climbing all over Hope, lying on her back, and wrapping his arms around her neck.

Jasper’s playfulness might appear a bit aggressive at times, but Hope doesn’t seem to mind. She happily accepts her role as Jasper’s personal jungle gym. “He sees her every day,” Long noted. “In the evening, she comes and lays next to him. They’ve developed a special relationship.”

The heartwarming story of Jasper and Hope is just one of many at Texas Fawn and Friends. Long anticipates that she will need to care for at least 100 orphaned fawns in 2022 alone. Her dedication to these animals remains unwavering. The fawns under Long’s care not only get a second chance at life but also thrive in a nurturing environment.

“It’s very rewarding work,” Long stated, reflecting on her role in these animals’ lives. To learn more about Texas Fawns and Friends and how you can contribute to their cause, visit texasfawn.com.