"It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet" (Psa. 18:32-33).
We have already had an article on miniature horses and how some owners would allow them in their living rooms as pets. But miniature deer (while true members of the deer family) are smaller yet-so small they can walk under an adult deer and never touch it.
One of these is the toy deer, or key deer, living on some of the islands known as the Florida Keys. It is a cute little beauty only 24 inches high. It has a black muzzle and large eyes, with velvety brown fur covering its head and top of its little body, but its stomach is white.
It is sad that, because they are so friendly, people feed them things that make them sick, and some even kill them for the meat. Guards are kept nearby now, so this doesn't often happen.
Another member of this pygmy deer family, known as a muntjac, is a resident of England. It, too, is about 24 inches high and some of them have short antlers. Not only is it the size of a dog, but it also barks like one. The head and front of its body are light tan, but otherwise it is dark red all over.
They were first imported from China many years ago and their numbers are now in the thousands. Like those in Florida, they are extremely tame and quickly make friends with people. The English people feed them proper food and often build shelters for them next to their homes. Some of the farmers, however, don't look on them so kindly when the muntjacs get into their gardens!
Then there is another known as the red brocket, located in areas of Mexico, and Central and South America. These are similar in size to the toy deer, and the males have short antlers. They have a reddish coat except for dark brown legs and a tail that, like the others, is white when raised.
But the tiniest deer of all makes its home in the Andes Mountains of South America and has the odd name of pudu. This one is only 15 inches high and weighs less than 25 pounds-smaller than many dogs. Some are reddish brown with black heads, and others are lighter brown. A pudu is very wild, and it is hard to get a glimpse of one as it scampers over the mountain slopes and through the forests.
The Psalmist's use of "hinds' feet" in the above Bible verse means "deer's feet." He was thankful that God, the Creator, had given him such strength and happiness that he felt like leaping for joy, just as a deer does. And people today who know the Lord Jesus as their Savior have learned that full trust in Him provides them with the same happiness, giving them strength and guidance every day.
Do you know the Lord Jesus as your Savior?