by Cache Ecrivain

Created on: December 08, 2008

I have swam with two dangerous animals; but they were dangerous in two very different ways. They are seen as opposites in the ocean; by me and many others. I am, of course, talking about dolphins and sharks.

I swam alongside three bottleneck dolphins, with my family. Dolphins are not dangerous in a vicious, predator way, like sharks; but any strong creature that swims better than you should be seen as a danger in the water. It is almost impossible to imagine a dolphin harming a person when it hasn't been harmed or provoked, but accidents happen. Dolphins are beautiful, sweet natured animals; but they are big, and they can easily hurt you on accident. There swift movements in the water could break bones if we weren't careful, something could scare the dolphins and that would be very dangerous for anyone in the water with them. But while I was in the water with them, I was not even thinking about that, I wasn't scared at all. My family and I got to do some pretty fun tricks with the dolphins; including them jumping over us in a line, and pushing us across the tank by our feet. One of the dolphins took a great liking to my brother, and followed him around everywhere, of course everyone joked about it for a long time after the experience.

And not too long after our swim with the magnificent dolphins, we took a dip with a creature that frightened me a lot more; sharks. Two sharks to be exact. They weren't Great Whites or Hammerheads, but they were sharks none the less; one of the few animals on Earth that really scare me. How I was coaxed into the water, I don't know. But I was younger at this time, and I spent most of the time in the water clinging onto my mom and trying to steer clear of the gliding sharks. The sharks never acted aggressive towards anyone in the water, in fact the keeper with us kissed the sharks snouts, and encouraged us to do the same; I would have nothing to do with that though! Petting them was good enough for me, I did not want to get that up close and personal with any species of shark! But I was still proud of myself for not letting my fear keep me from doing this once in a lifetime opportunity.

I will always remember the days I spent in the water with two beautiful creatures. Enemies in the water, different in nature; swimming with both sharks and dolphins were fun experiences for me, and given the chance, I might try it again.

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