The Dolphin Story...

I know everyone's seen this all over the 'net, and I'm not going to dwell on it except to say that I'm glad the kids weren't there to see it. We had the unique experience of being on Main Beach in the Hamptons when a young dolphin, not more than two or three years old, beached itself near where we were playing.

Several people jumped into the water to keep it company, keeping it hydrated and giving it some loving contact. The poor creature had a gash along one side, and you could see in its eyes and hear in its cries that the dolphin was in pain.

The Hathlet, 6 at the time, was infatuated with dolphins, and wanted to watch until the marine rescue unit took the creature away. He sat on my shoulders for more than an hour while the MRU rigged up their sling and got enough volunteers to carry it to the van.

When the sling passed us, Hathlet scrambled to be put down and followed them to the van. Later that night, he asked if the animal would be alright. Then he asked if the animal's mom and dad were worried about it. Unfortunately, that particular dolphin's story didn't have a happy ending, either. It had been hit by a boat and the prop damage was severe. I wish I had been stronger and ignored my son's begging to watch the MRU try to rescue that dolphin. I should have tried to shield him from that.


~ Hath