Even though animals share the most unlikely of friendships, nothing compares with this special bond between a Golden Retriever and a dolphin who are the best of friends, for almost a decade, now. Everybody, meet Gunner and Delta!
While for many of you, to see animals of different species interacting in the sweetest ways, can be a pretty common sight, a friendships between a dog and a dolphin it’s definitely something you won’t see every day. Yet, for over eight years Gunner and Delta surprise the world with their unique friendship.
The two have initially met years ago at the Dolphin Research Center in Florida, and ever since they’re inseparable. Back then, Gunner was only 8-week-old, while his marine buddy was 4. Although they share one of the most inspiring friendships nature have ever offered, they haven’t met randomly. The dog’s mom, who works as a trainer at the center, wanted to know how dolphins react when exposed to different things or beings, like puppies, for instances. Since Gunner was accompanying her almost every day, Marie Blanton thought it will be nice to introduce her puppy to Delta. So glad she did!
“When he first went on the docks, I was expecting him to bark, or get really excited, but he did the exact opposite: He just laid down and watched,” Blanton told Business Insider. “Turns out this calm demeanor intrigued the friendly and curious Delta.”
That short interaction was more than enough for the two to became friends for life. Ever since, whenever Gunner showed at the docks, Delta was just there to greet him and offer him toys.
“Every time I would bring Gunner down, Delta was the first dolphin over to the dock. He would bring him his toys as if he was trying to play with him,” she said. “The friendship just blossomed over time. As both boys have gotten a bit older, they don’t get to see each other quite as much now.”
