Owen and Mzee are feaurtred in NatGeo’s ” Unlikely Friends ”

Here is the segment:

Billy DiMichele from Scholastic had the opportunity to visit Winter last week.  Check out what he had to say about his life changing experience:

“On Friday of last week I experienced one of those rare moments in life – something I like to call a “grace” –  a moment of pure, unfettered joy.  How often in our busy lives do we get to experience those, I wonder? And all it took was a visit to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, FL. To see a little dolphin named Winter. She may be little (she’s only 4) but her story is epic and her effect on all of us humans (me included) is off the charts.  I mean it.  This experience was sublime on every level made even more special when you consider the odds she beat to be here with us. I think I’m in love.  :)”

Billy DiMichele and his new BFF Winter: who has the bigger smile??

Last week Isabella and I traveled to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Cleawater Florida to meet Winter.  They say a pictures worth a thousand words so here are some of the pictures that really tell the story.

Isabella and Craig getting acquainted with Winter, Abby has her hand on Winter's dorsal fin.

Isabella plants a big kiss on her new best friend!

Isabella didn’t stop smiling the whole time.  We got to get in the water with our wetsuits on  (standing on a submerged platfrom) and really interact with Winter and Panama.  It was almost like a dream.  So coooooooool!!!!!!!!!!! Isabella spent time with Abby, the world’s best dolphin trainer and her whole team.

When we first got to Clearwater, David Yates and Jenni Hatter had arranged a surprise for us.  Isabella and I went right to the beach where there were hundreds of people waitng along with dozens of press reporters– we helped release a 244 lb loggerhead turtle named Betsy who had been getting well at CMA and now it was time to return home to the ocean.  You can see some of our photos and video footage.

Isabella and Craig help the CMA staff release Betsi the Sea Turtle.

Isabella has decided she wants to become a dolphin trainer and I have a feeling we will be making numerous trips back to Clearwater to see our new friends- dolphins as well as people.  Don’t forget to login  to the webcast on October 7th at 1pm EST.

Craig