ORIGINAL: livbucks

Even though he isn't what he once was, it is fitting that you were the one who took him, and it is better that you did as I doubt he would have made it through the winter. What a testament to the elusiveness of deer that he survived all that time, with you of all people hunting him for several years.
He's yours now. You worked for him...you deserve him.
So much better a fate for him, than to die a slow death, I'd say.