Jim and I left last week on a trip, long planned, to play for a few days in Chicago with friends. Who knew it would be such good therapy, in part because good friend and dynamite animal trainer Laura Monaco Torelli arranged for us to get a behind the scenes tour at the Shedd Aquarium. Laura worked at the Shedd for years with Ken Rameriz before she left to open up her own animal training business, and asked her friend and marine mammal trainer Jessica Whiton to give us a tour. Jessica generously devoted much of a morning to us, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
We got to play with Beluga whales. It’s the first time I felt happy since Willie died, and you didn’t have to be there to see why.
I am of the opinion that Beluga whales are not real animals. They’ve been created by some animatronics outfit to elicit oxytocin in humans. Nothing real could possibly be this cute. I sense some nefarious purpose in this creation, but for now, I am still savoring the awe inspired by these gentle creaturs.
We got to do head bumps, high fives, hand shakes, and several husbandry cues, and we all left blown away by the animals, and the dedication and skill of the trainers. Here I am head bumping a new friend. It was all I could do not to jump in.
We also got to feed sea otters cubes of frozen krill. No photos from this, sorry, (we were gobsmacked and barely able to think straight). But here’s a photo of their adorable cuteness:
They actually are this cute. And they have pockets under their forearms to store rocks for breaking open clams and abalone shells. And they liked to put the krill cubes on their tummies and swim around. And they are yet another animal too good to be true. Do you see why I titled this post “marine mammal therapy”.
We also got to meet Iris, a Magellanic penguin, and marvel at her tiny feathers. Beside the outer guard feathers and down, she has special feathers that alert her when her feathers are disrupted and she’s no longer water proof. Too cool. Here’s a close up of her feathers.
And feet:
You too can meet Iris too, through the animal encounters program at the Shedd. Don’t miss it if you’re in Chicago, it’s an amazing place.
We also got to see Hamilton again with friends Matt & Kelly (kick ass animal trainers in their own right at Tip Top Tails in Grand Junction, MI), Meg (another amazing trainer, founder of Pup Up Social Learning) and her husband Randy . Here’s Meg and Randy in front of Jim on our way in.
It was a wonderful, wonderful trip, and a welcome respite from grief and loss.
MEANWHILE, back on the farm: Going home from Chicago was a bit, uh, rough. More on that next week, in part because I had cataract surgery yesterday and can barely see. (Thus, please ignore all typos.) But thank god for good friends and amazing animals. What would we do without them?
Chris from Boise says
All my friends who have had cataract surgery report how brilliant the world is afterward – not only can they see better, but it’s like someone “washed the windshield”. I hope the same is true for you.
And the rest of your post made my heart sing. What balm for the soul.
We continue to send love to you and the gang. One day at a time. As a wise friend recently told us: “today–the only day that counts”.
On a side note: Has Lady Baa-Baa “exploded” yet?
Margaret says
I had cataract surgery 4 years ago, and it was incredible. It was hard to concentrate on the instructions from the recovery room nurse, because I was completely focused on the beautiful blue sky I could see through the window. The color vision alters so slowly that I didn’t know the world had turned grayish-yellow until it wasn’t anymore. It’s wonderful.
And not having to wear glasses anymore–just OTC reading glasses is also wonderful. I had worn glasses since I was 18 months old, & going from 20/80 with best correction to 20/25 is great. Hope you will be as happy as I was.
The belugas are very cool. Have you heard about the one that showed up by the Norwegian boat?
Barbara says
Your behind the scenes experience at the Shedd Aquarium sounds amazing. Whales and otters and penguins, oh my! The grin on that Beluga’s face put a smile on mine. On the topic of cuteness, my personal favorite in that category is the fennec fox. I had never even heard of them until I saw some in a nature program. Love those ears. Anyway, I’m glad you were able to get away and recharge a bit and I wish you a swift uneventful recovery from your cataract surgery.
Nina says
Oh my goodness, cataract surgery mentioned as an afterthought, what a trooper you are. 🙂 That photo of you with the beluga whale brought tears to my eyes. I can’t imagine anything more healing to grieving the loss of a beloved animal than the opportunity to commune with entirely new ones. So glad (and more than a little jealous!) that you got to experience such wonder and joy. Also, your description of the otters’ “adorable cuteness” made me laugh out loud!!
Sarah Cutler, VMD says
I was just at that wonderful aquarium a few weeks ago! My family and I were doing college tours for one son and catching up with our other son who goes to University of Wisconsin. We needed some just right fun activity after some intense travel and tours. It was perfect when we landed at the belugas getting trained at the end of the day and the crowds had dispersed and it was just the 5 of us watching them. They were absolutely mesmerizing for all of us!
Jayne Edgley says
Your post brought such joy and wonder to me as I read it. I’m so glad you felt happiness. We have so many wonderful and devine creatures that can elicit such joy. A gift from above, I believe. I hope you were able to carry some of that joy back home with you to feel and cherish the wonder and love you shared with your beloved Willie and other canine companions ( and all the animals you have on the farm). You are blessed. I wish you a full recovery with you eye surgery. Thank you for always bringing insight and clarity through your posts.
KC Wilson says
You have the best friends…all through your love of dogs and dog training. My sister called it “eye Disneyland” after getter cataract surgery. Good luck with your recovery.
Patricia says
The Shedd Aquarium is amazing. I played with the dolphins at the Clearwater Aquarium in Clearwater Florida and I count it as one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
Animals are healers without even trying to be. We owe them so much.
Diana Clark says
You are such a remarkable person. I love your posts and wish you a speedy recovery. We are frequent visitors to the Long Beach Aquarium here in Southern CA. Love that place! Animals are remarkable healers. My 2 Golden Retrievers are therapy dogs and I am indebted to them for their goodness and caring toward others. They are the epitome of kindness and caring and bring smiles and joy to everyone they encounter. I couldn’t agree with you more. We owe animals so much.
Merrie Grush says
I am new to this blog but I loved seeing all of the beautiful souls that you came in contact with. I’m excited to be a part of this group. All animals are my everything. I had cataract surgery in both eyes and it was a piece of cake. Since then, I’ve had a knee replacement and double mastectomy along with other breast cancer treatments and now I am having my second knee done. It’s been a couple of horrible years but am looking forward to some happy times and reading about your experiences is so uplifting. Just what I needed this morning as I continue on my journey to a more positive life. I share my world with an amazing golden retriever and a very special rescue dog and two cats. Love them so much. Can’t imagine living a life without the two and four legged gifts that God has shared with us.
Nannette Morgan says
Loved your post and especially photos. Otters are one of my fave marine mammals. I’m glad you had an uplifting of your spirits in such a way. Thanks for making my day!
Maureen Finn says
So glad you had this experience – healing a broken heart takes time, and these encounters with these special animals is no accident. Blessings to you and Jim, and Maggie too.
Vicki in Michigan says
I’m so glad you got to have this amazing visit to Chicago.
Sending you all good vibes. Please give Tootsie and Maggie a skritch from me.
Jann Becker says
After my cataracts were removed last year I found that Kira’s white pill is actually yellow! It was worth it for the color; I only use reading glasses for close up and small print.
I overheard a mother in Vancouver BC tell her small daughter that Belugas were “marshmallow whales!” I remember that whenever I see them.
Jenny Haskins says
I didn’t like my cataract surgery. Afterwards eh colours were all wrong 🙁
My lovely maroon jumper turned out to be a ghastly purple!
I had to wear my dark specs for about three weeks afterwards to avoid going snow-blind 🙁
Sally J Wallach says
Chicago is second only to London in my Pantheon of great cities. Great place.
My dad’s gift to my mother for her seventy-fifth birthday was a behind the scenes visit to a sea mammal rehab facility in Florida. My mom had just been presented with the reality of her most terrible nightmare in the form of a diagnosis of early stage Alzheimer’s, and my dad wanted her to newly realize the wonder the world has to offer. Until the week before her death, Mom was brought to the verge of tears when describing the experience. She was allowed in with the dolphins, and one of the mothers left her calf with Mom to go off and play with the other adults, something the carers said was very unusual in any instance, and unprecedented for a stranger. “They let me into their world without any guarantee that my intentions were good,” she always said. She was overwhelmed by what she perceived as their love. I’m so happy you were offered the same healing.
Trisha says
Isn’t it a great city! Every time I go I ask myself why we don’t go more often. (Of course, there’s that money thing…) We didn’t begin to see a tenth of the Art Museaum, could have stayed at the Shedd like regular viewers for hours, saw one play and ate ourselves silly. Basically all in two days. The architecture is gorgeous, the lake front the perfect backdrop. And, on another note, your mother’s story is beautiful, just beautiful. Thanks for sharing it.
Diane says
I’m so happy you got to enjoy our Great City and that it was a therapeutic experience!!!! You and Jim certainly deserve some respite. Sadly, I typically don’t get to the city from the suburbs that often. But when I go, it is a wonderful place with lots to do. You certainly got the money thing right though…guess that’s why I don’t get there that often! Thanks for sharing the great pictures.
Corinne Schnur says
My very first time as a reader of anyone’s blogs. Certainly worth keeping up with you. I didn’t realize how small the beluga whale is! Or are they very young?
Trisha says
That’s their full grown size, I still maintain they can’t be real animals…
Anne Ramey says
I have a funny story about my mom post-cataract surgery – nothing as sweetly profound as Sally’s story of her mom and the dolphins, which is so inspiring! – but fun in its own way. Mom had an off-white carpet with grey flecks in her house, and when she came home from having her first eye done, she walked into her house and immediately said, “Well, look at that! I don’t have to have the rug cleaned after all!” She’d been thinking it had become grubby-brownish and needed a shampoo! The other silver lining was that her glasses prescription changed to much slimmer lenses – she’d had ones that looked like pop bottle bottoms for most of her life.
Karen says
I fell in love with Beluga whales when I first saw one at the Mystic Aquarium in CT in the early 80s. They remind me of Casper (the friendly ghost). I really miss living near a zoo or aquarium! Former Bostonian living in rural Oregon now.
How did Maggie do while you were away?
After you lost Wille I bought your book about him. My 3rd one of yours.
Laura says
I’ve been to Chicago twice, and it was fun both times. One of my favorite things to do there was visit the aquarium, such fun. Glad to hear all these great stories about successful cataract surgeries. I’m scheduled to have mine in June. I had an attack of Glaucoma about eight years ago, and because they had to do lazer surgery on my eye, the scar tissue started a huge cataract. Having been born premature, I have a tiny eye to start with, so, the cataract removal is really risky. My doctors have waited eight years until I’ve lost enough vision to gain the most benefit from the surgery. This is the only eye I’ve got left, so keep your fingers crossed that the lights won’t go out entirely. I can barely see anything anymore, and have been relying on Seamus for almost every form of guiding, except when I’m in my home. The surgen made me feel confident about the surgery, that it would be successful and that I wouldn’t lose my remaining vision. He said I wouldn’t have great vision, that I would still need my guide dogs, and that I’d still need to use all of my braille and assistive tech, but at least it would be back up to what it was before the cataract began playing with my sight. Anyway, sorry to spill my guts about this on here, but it’s been on my mind for years now, and I’m both scared and excited now that it’s happening in six weeks. I’ll have my husband and family there, and, most importantly, my Seamus. I’m so glad you and Jim had such a great time in Chicago Tricia, and I’m thrilled your heart is beginning to mend. Give the pups hugs from us, and keep enjoying the Spring.
Anna Hassan says
They look super cute!
Helen says
I’m very late to the party but so lovely to read this post- but I think that EVERY SINGLE TIME. . . :-). . and as others have said very pleased you got to enjoy this amazing experience and share it with us. Beautiful photos and information. The otters, the pouches. . .BYO rocks etc. And am happy that this brought a smile to your face while grieving your beloved Willie. Hope the eyes are fully recovered by now since it’s been a good 2 weeks. xx
Helen says
Oh and fingers tightly tightly crossed for Laura and her surgery!