So excited!!!!!

[apatrimo94]

During Columbus Day weekend, I get a few days off, I'm going to the Florida Keys to visit "my" dolphin, Leo!!!! The plans we're just made today for me to go down to visit him. He stays at a dolphin facility for he is non-releaseable due to his problems. He was born at the facility and he had to be put through surgery right away since he had trouble breathing. Now most of you are probably wondering, how in the world did I get a dolphin??? I'll tell you the whole story.

For the past 3 years, I've been going on a school trip to spend a week in the Florida Keys with other students to study marine biology. One of the things we do is go to a dolphin facility. The second year I went, my group and I got to witness one of the female dolphins, Samantha, give birth to her 3rd calf. But when he was born, they noticed he wasn't breathing correctly, so the rushed him through surgery. They opened up donations to place money for the surgery for they are a non-profit organization that lives on donations. I donated $150 to help pay for his surgery and they said I made the biggest donation. In honor of my charity, the "gave" him to me. So, he's not mine "mine" but I have him So every Columbus day weekend, and Spring break, I go down to spend two or three days with him.

Here's a picture of him with me last spring break:


I'm soooo excited to see him again!!!! I finally remembered to put him in my signature!! I can't believe I forgot all about him, me and my "bird brain."

 

[apatrimo94]

Here's more of him from last year, by the way, ignore the date, my camera had the wrong dates posted:

He's the one on the left:

Somebody's tired :

Medicine time:

That's my boy!!!:

 

[greycloud]

Wow! How special! Thank you for donating to help this guy get the treatment he needed. I looovvveee dolphins! So very intelligent. I always wanted to swim with them. I love the pic! Enjoy your visit and give him hugs from me.

 

[Bobby34231]

Very Cool!, love the pics, is that down on Marathon Key AP?....make sure you wave as you pass by my house :09:

 

[apatrimo94]

Wow! How special! Thank you for donating to help this guy get the treatment he needed. I looovvveee dolphins! So very intelligent. I always wanted to swim with them. I love the pic! Enjoy your visit and give him hugs from me.

I absolutely LOVE dolphins. I actually want to be a marine vet, dealing with marine mammals(whales, dolphins, seals, etc). It's something I want as a career. I also want to open a parrot rescue center in my spare time. That way I get to work with my two favorite types animals

 

[apatrimo94]

Very Cool!, love the pics, is that down on Marathon Key AP?....make sure you wave as you pass by my house :09:

Thanks!! It's actually in Key Largo. I'm landing in Ft. Lauderdale and working my way down to the keys. Not sure if you're along the way

 

[Bobby34231]

No I'm in the middle of the state on the west coast, that wouldn't be Dolphins Plus in Key Largo would it?

 

[apatrimo94]

No I'm in the middle of the state on the west coast, that wouldn't be Dolphins Plus in Key Largo would it?

Close, Dolphins Plus is one of the places we go to, but that's not where Leo is. He's nearby at another facility. Have you been to Dolphins Plus? The place is amazing!!

 

[Bobby34231]

I go to Key West usually about 3-4 times a year to visit my mother, been to most all the places down the keys with dolphins, even visited with the dolphins and whales at the naval air station a few years ago when the navy was working with them for underwater demolition work, its hard to describe to someone what the feeling is like when you make contact with them eye to eye if they've never experienced it themselves

 

[SharonC]

Apatrimo...you are one special kid...ahhh...young person!

 

[apatrimo94]

I go to Key West... its hard to describe to someone what the feeling is like when you make contact with them eye to eye if they've never experienced it themselves

I've only been to Key West once. It's very touristy compared to most other keys.

The feeling is amazing and it's hard to explain that connection.

 

[boabab95]

he had to be put through surgery right away since he had trouble breathing.

That kinda sounds like me!!!

lol sorry...

Dont forget to take pics!!