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After A Video Chat With A Rescued Dolphin, This Golden Retriever Got A Chance To Meet Her In Real Life
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After A Video Chat With A Rescued Dolphin, This Golden Retriever Got A Chance To Meet Her In Real Life

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Humans aren’t the only ones who can get to know someone online and then meet them in real life. Turns out, some animals do too. At least these two have.

This Instagram-famous golden retriever from Tampa, Florida is named Kevin and he loves going on all kinds of adventures. Recently, this adorable doggy was invited to visit Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where he had a chance to finally meet his online pal. Yes, you read this correctly. And the friend we’re talking about is a dolphin named Winter.

More info: Instagram | cmaquarium.org

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    And here’s their adorable meeting

    Image credits: agoldennamedkevin

    This beautiful friendship started when Kevin caught the attention of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Apparently, Kevin loves wearing his adorable duck hat and, turns out, one of the aquarium rescues, a dolphin named Winter, loves ducks too!

    Kevin seems absolutely mesmerized

    Image credits: Clearwater Marine Aquarium

    Soon enough, Kevin and his human received a video from Winter and her animal care specialist, Katie Wojdyla, in which they said hello and invited the doggy for a video chat.

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    And here’s the famous video chat

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Clearwater Marine Aquarium (@cmaquarium) on

    The aquarium posted a video of Kevin watching the video they had sent him and wrote this: “Is This The Start Of A Pawfect Friendship? We were hoping to make new friends on #InternationalDayOfFriendship and we think this can be the start of something special! Would you like to FaceTime soon @agoldennamedkevin?”

    Image credits: agoldennamedkevin

    After that, they finally met via FaceTime, where the doggy was formally invited to come to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and meet his friend in real life.

    “Kevin made the trip to CMA to explore Winter’s new home, including visits with the rescued resident dolphins”

    Image credits: agoldennamedkevin

    “Kevin had the entire aquarium to himself and he met so many new friends,” Kevin’s human, Elysse Gorney, told Travel + Leisure. During his visit, Kevin had a chance to meet loads of new friends, including pelicans, sea turtles, and stingrays. After that, he went to the brand-new Ruth & J.O. Stone Dolphin Complex, complete with five pools and floor-to-ceiling windows, to meet Winter and the other dolphins, Hope, PJ, Nicholas, and Hemingway.

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    Here are some spectacular moments from the trip

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Clearwater Marine Aquarium (@cmaquarium) on

    “Swimming with Kevin in Winter’s old home was definitely a day I won’t forget”

    Image credits: Clearwater Marine Aquarium

    Turns out, Kevin even got a chance to go for a swim in the Winter Zone with her carer Katie Wojdyla.

    “Swimming with Kevin in Winter’s old home was definitely a day I won’t forget. Not only was it easier to breathe because we were above water, but it was an extra special moment where my passions for animals, the environment, and our oceans all combined. I absolutely love all our rescued animals at CMA, but there is just something about a dog that makes me smile,” Katie told Travel + Leisure.

    This good boy looks so happy!

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    Image credits: Clearwater Marine Aquarium

    “I think this was honestly the best day of Kevin’s life! We are so thankful for all opportunities Kevin has been given,” Kevin’s human, Elysse Gorney, told Travel + Leisure. “His favorite part was definitely meeting Winter, and also getting to swim in the Winter Zone with some animal care specialists.”

    Image credits: agoldennamedkevin

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    Here’s what people thought about this adorable friendship

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    Lukas Garnelis

    Lukas Garnelis

    Author, Community member

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    Lukas is a photo editor at Bored Panda. 4th year in Vilnius Gediminas Technical University as a graphic designer. Can do whatever he sets his mind to.

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    Lukas Garnelis

    Lukas Garnelis

    Author, Community member

    Lukas is a photo editor at Bored Panda. 4th year in Vilnius Gediminas Technical University as a graphic designer. Can do whatever he sets his mind to.

    Julija Svidraitė

    Julija Svidraitė

    Author, Community member

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    Julija Svidraitė is an editor here at Bored Panda who has a bachelor's degree in Psychology. Before starting her journey at BP, she had worked as a social media specialist at a marketing agency. She has also tried herself in a few different fields working as an intern: from practicing graphic design at a social media marketing agency, to being an assistant at a psychiatric hospital. Besides writing, Julija is also very passionate about illustrating, drinking coffee, and watching crime documentaries. You can find her in Bored Panda Office or reach her at julija.s@boredpanda.com.

    Read less »

    Julija Svidraitė

    Julija Svidraitė

    Author, Community member

    Julija Svidraitė is an editor here at Bored Panda who has a bachelor's degree in Psychology. Before starting her journey at BP, she had worked as a social media specialist at a marketing agency. She has also tried herself in a few different fields working as an intern: from practicing graphic design at a social media marketing agency, to being an assistant at a psychiatric hospital. Besides writing, Julija is also very passionate about illustrating, drinking coffee, and watching crime documentaries. You can find her in Bored Panda Office or reach her at julija.s@boredpanda.com.

    What do you think ?
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    Tardis42
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So, some trainers at an aquarium filmed a dolphin being instructed to make noise while they held a rubber duck, and a dog saw something moving on a screen and followed it, and now the two have had a video chat? Well then, I'd like to announce that Ryan Reynolds and I are in a serious online relationship.

    Quazmodic
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would have been more impressed if it was a cat. I like cats.

    Maria R
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A rescue dolphin? To live in a tank is a rescue? That poor dolphin is living in captivity, if it was rescued it would be free.

    Bellatrix Lestrange
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes an animal can not be released to the wild. An animal that has been raised in captivity by bad caretakers or is disabled in some way can't just be thrown out into the wild. A good zoo/aquarium will provide lots of enrichment (toys) to there animals and a habitat that closely resembles a real habitat. Keepers also must limit there interaction with the animals if they plan on releasing at some point.

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    Tardis42
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So, some trainers at an aquarium filmed a dolphin being instructed to make noise while they held a rubber duck, and a dog saw something moving on a screen and followed it, and now the two have had a video chat? Well then, I'd like to announce that Ryan Reynolds and I are in a serious online relationship.

    Quazmodic
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would have been more impressed if it was a cat. I like cats.

    Maria R
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A rescue dolphin? To live in a tank is a rescue? That poor dolphin is living in captivity, if it was rescued it would be free.

    Bellatrix Lestrange
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes an animal can not be released to the wild. An animal that has been raised in captivity by bad caretakers or is disabled in some way can't just be thrown out into the wild. A good zoo/aquarium will provide lots of enrichment (toys) to there animals and a habitat that closely resembles a real habitat. Keepers also must limit there interaction with the animals if they plan on releasing at some point.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
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