12/12/09

I Want One, Too!

(CBS) The words, "Yes, dear," have a whole new meaning in one Ohio household.


This family has a deer living inside their house.


Dillie the deer has lived with the Buteras in Canal Fulton, Ohio, for the past five years. Abandoned by her mother at birth, because the mother incorrectly thought she was blind, Dillie has since become part of another family -- a family of humans.


Steve Heathman, Dillie's owner, said the deer is "like my daughter and son."


Over the years, Dillie has adjusted to living indoors, eating pasta and ice cream -- and even swimming in the family pool.


Dr. Melanie Butera, the veterinarian who rescued Dillie and her other owner, said, "She pretty much runs the household. Everything revolves around her."


Butera said on "The Early Show" Dillie was three days old when she came to the house. A sickly triplet, Dillie, Butera said, was almost dead when a deer farmer brought her to the house at 3 a.m.


The Buteras also have a dog and two cats.


How do all the animals coexist?


"Dillie grew up in the household with them, and she thinks they're part of her family," Butera said. "... The dog can't be too far away from Dillie at any time. They're very close to each other. Dillie just thinks the dog is her mom and we're just part of the family too."


As for Dillie's impact on the home, Butera said, the deer hasn't destroyed their furnishings. Butera said Dillie just spills coffee cups and glasses every now and then.


But where does the deer do its business?


Heathman said Dillie is litter-trained.


For more with Dillie and her family, click on the video below:



Watch CBS News Videos Online

No comments:

Post a Comment