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Winter An Inspiration To All Creatures

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 1, 2008

Dogs may be man's best friend on land, but in the sea it's the dolphin.

These marine mammals' interactions with humans have saved lives, created successful military operations and offered soothing therapy for disabled children. Some people who have swum with dolphins even describe the experience as spiritual and life-changing.

So we should be happy to come to the rescue when these beautiful creatures need a hand. Today it is Winter, the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin who is the most famous resident at the nonprofit Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

The 2-year-old dolphin was just a few months old when she got entangled in a crab trap near Cape Canaveral and lost her tail in December 2005. Fortunately, she was rescued, but her prognosis was poor.

Last summer, through the work of experts and volunteers, she was fitted with a prosthetic tail. It consists of lubricated sleeves that fit over her stump. It was believed to be the first operation of its type.

It took Winter a while to get used to her new tail, but now she's swimming to beat the band.

Still, Winter needs more room, which is why the aquarium is renovating a 160,000-gallon tank that she will share with her adopted mom, Panama. The $200,000 project will allow Winter to spread her fins and have more fun.

The aquarium is seeking donations. For information, visit www.SeeWinter.com.

Winter is an inspiration for those who have lost limbs and are struggling to adapt. Her visitors have included disabled children and military veterans. When they see a friend of the sea acting naturally again, it gives them hope.

It's a heartwarming story that can only get better as Winter continues to show us how to overcome adversity with the help of friends, and a somersault or two.

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