Dolphin Smile

The first dolphin that I swam with was named Aphrodite. She was a 10 year old female dolphin that lived at the Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key, Florida- the original home of Flipper. This occured in the spring of 1989. I went to the DRC with the staff from a group called Living From The Heart that had been taking people with cancer to swim with the dolphins. We went to do maintanence on the facitity and to have a dolphin encounter. Most swims were very active with the dolphins zooming around and playing with the people and so this was what I expected. A joyful experience.

When it came time for my swim Aphrodite had different ideas as she spent most of the encounter nudging her rostrum (nose) against my heart and resting beside me. The trainer tried to get her to do some tricks but she just hung out next to me in a tranquil and peaceful way. It seemed that Aphrodite new what she was doing as during this time my heart expanded and I felt so much unconditional love from Aphrodite and for her. NowI know why her name was Aphrodite- the Greek Goddess of Love.

Aphrodite came to the DRC from another Aquarium because she wasn’t interested in doing tricks for people. While I do not believe that dolphins should be kept in captivity and am particularly against capturing more dolphins for human entertainment I am thankful that she was there because she helped open my heart to the human/dolphin connection which then gave me a greater understanding of how precious dolphins are. My experience with Aphrodite was part of my awakening that has inspired me throughout my life to educate other people about the marvelously illuminating realm of the dolphins.