My, you never no what life has in store for you! I had just come back from a wonderful visit to Maui. One of my days there was spent on a zodiac boat watching whales swim in front, back and under our boat. This boat held only twenty people, so it provided us the opportunity be close to the whales as they put on a grand show for us.
Perhaps this sea creature energy stayed with me when I arrived home in San Diego. The morning after I returned, I decided to take beach walk in Carlsbad with a friend before unpacking from the trip.
A mile and a half into our beach walk, we came across a baby sea lion curled up in the middle of the sand on the beach. A bystander told us that he had called both Sea World and the Carlsbad lifeguard tower, insisting that someone come soon to help this pup. He had not reached anyone at either desk, but he had left messages. We continued walking down the beach another mile and a half before turning around to head home. Again we came across this beautiful sea lion pup in need. Somehow he looked worse than before, certainly emaciated and starving. The bystander who had made calls on his behalf was gone, so we had to act.
It was clear that the first thing this baby needed was food. We knew of a seafood restaurant that was also a fish market a few miles away. We literally ran the distance back to the car and drove to this fish market. We then asked the clerks what sea lions eat and they did a google search to be certain. The answer was salmon and squid, so that is what we purchased. We wonder how we would survive without google and the internet; hopefully the power of google would save this sea lion. The clerks wished us the best and even provided rubber gloves for us to wear.
I don't think I have ever driven faster or ran faster than I did in those next few moments. The pup was right where we left him. We got close to him and gently threw some of the fish close to his body. It occurred to me that perhaps he had never eaten on his own before without his Mother's guidance and supply. At first the pup didn't even open his eyes, he just smelled and approached the fish by allowing his sense of smell to guide him. He ate the smaller pieces first. Once he caught on that this was food was for him, was safe, and that he could feel better by eating it, he then devoured the entire lot of salmon and squid. It was a miracle to witness. Within minutes, the little guy opened its eyes, looked around, wagged his fin, and even wiggled around a bit. It was if he had come back to life. To say he seemed happy seems such an understatement.
After seeing this transformation, we decided he might need some more nourishment. My friend stayed with the pup while I made another trip to the fish market. The gentleman who had originally called Sea World and the lifeguard tower on the pup's behalf came back to check on him, and my friend explained the reason for the transformation. The pup didn't wait for me to return. Apparently after a bit he looked around, seemed to smile, and waddled into the ocean. Alive, wide awake, and happy with food in his belly.
I arrived back on the beach shortly after, with a new bag of fresh salmon and squid. I learned of his waddle to the ocean, and decided to put the feast into the water near where he had entered. What a wonderful feeling. With our surrogate mother help, the little guy was able to learn to feed himself and reenter his world with new-found energy.
We waited for awhile, partly for him but also for ourselves. Ten minutes later two Carlsbad lifeguards came by and apologized for not getting there sooner. We explained our rescue, and were humbled when they explained that they had saved ten baby sea lions that morning alone.
I returned to the same spot on the beach for the two days in a row following. No beached sea lions were to be found. Each day I breathed a sigh of relief, and put my bag of salmon and squid in the water where our little friend had reentered for good measure.
P.S. I always look up the meaning of animal encounters and their symbolism. Sea lions represent dream work and creativity. Thus, I have enrolled in a dream work course that begins this evening.
