“Homer died”….what do you mean Homer’s dead as I walk away mumbling in a language only I can understand. “Idroveallrhiswasytoseehomerhomercan’tbedeadwhatdoyouknow,” I trip on a piece of faux seaweed. Homer is a sea otter than won my heart over a few years ago when I watched a special on her on APL. She was an orphaned otter found amongst an oil spill and brought to Seattle Aquarium to be rehabilitated. The special focused on otters and the long term effects of the oil. She had gone through 2 or 3 pregnancy’s yet always delivered stillborn babies. She longed for a ‘pup’ so bad, she would steal others and mother them. So heartbreaking, yet comical at the same time. I fell in love with Homer and had to meet her!
So I am in Seattle for my nephews wedding. I am there for 5 days which means I can spend 4 days at the Aquarium getting to know my new friend. Now it’s down to 3 days because of rehearsal dinner or whatever. Then 2, on a count I have a morning flight on Monday. Now 1 day as my mom says it’s rude to spend all my time at the Aquarium with my family in town and all. Yeah, yeah.
I run up to the ticket lady, (on the specified day my mom allowed me to go) I am telling my whole group about Homer at this point , after all….I was an expert! I purchase my ticket telling this 17 year old ticket lady all my business. “Ijustcameinfromcaliforniatoseehomer,mywholefamilyiswithmeandwecan’twait!!!”
“Who’s Homer?”
“Who’sHomer?”
I take a deep breath, “Homer is a legacy here, Homer was on APL. I saw her!”
As she adjusts her cute little aquatics hat she informs me she will make a phone call and find out Homer’s where abouts. She hangs the phone up and continues fumbling with her hat, at that point I am ready to rip her hat off. I mean business. She turns to me with her hat perfectly in place and says, “Homers dead…” did she not make it clear to these people, “Ijustcameinfromcaliforniatoseehomer,mywholefamilyiswithmeandwecan’twait!!!”
“She’s dead?” I ask
“Yeah a few years back.”
“That can’t be!”
I turn to my family, “Homerdied,wecameallthiswaytoseeherandshedied.HomercantbedaedIjustsawheront.v.shewasn’tevensickthiscantbe”
“….Next”
Like a three year old, whining, they assure me they will help me find out what happen to Homer….lets at least go in. I agree.
We make our way through the creepy crawly area, you know jellyfish, crabs, etc. We finally get out to the sea otters, they are doing a a training demonstration. Those little things are the cutest ever and I am having a hard time catching my breath watching their every little magical movement, but it’s just not the same without Homer. The trainers announce they will be available for a few short moments to answer questions, I don’t want to talk to just any trainer I want the head honcho trainer and I think if i time it just right I can hurdle through this crowd in a split second…or at least fast! I reach one guy (not the head honcho trainer dude), “IcamecameallthewayfromCaliforniatoseeHomer,IsawHomeront.v.awhilebackandIreallywanted- toseeherbutshedied,Homerdied!”
“Homer died?” he asked in complete confusion. Now I am thrilled someone finally acknowledged there is a Homer and pissed at the same time this trainer dude didn’t have a clue! He gets on his walkie-talkie thing and calls someone else to inform them of Homers passing. I realize this is a waste of time, I knew more than Mr. Trainer Dude! I finally get to Mr. Main Trainer Dude, “IcamecameallthewayfromCaliforniatoseeHomer,IsawHomeront.v.awhilebackandIreallywanted- toseeherbutshedied,Homerdied!”
“Homer died?”
“Homers dead!”
“She died?”
“Yes, Homer is dead (andIcameallthewayfromCalifornia.FirstnobodyknewwhoHomerwasthentheytellmeshedied.)
“Well I knew she had been moved, I never heard she died.”
“Yep, she…..”
Just then his walkie-talkie thing rang, “A lady just informed me Homer passed away. Do you know anything about this?”
Now I’m feeling really bad I didn’t want to have to be the one to tell these guys, they obviously were really shaken up by this news. The head trainer dude tells me he needs to make a phone call. I wonder if it’s to the people in white jackets…. He catches up with me later and informs me Homer is alive and well! “WellthenwhydidtheticketladytellmeshediedIhavebeensosadandIwantedmyfamilytoseeherand…”
“Relax” he says, “she is now living at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, she’s fine.” I take a quick glance over my shoulder wondering when the folks in the white jackets are coming. So far, so good! I am soooo ready to leave at this point. I have really put a damper in the cool, misty air at the Seattle Aquarium. But alls well that ends well, Homer was indeed alive and despite those white jacket people on my tale I am a happy camper! I pass by the 17 year old ticket lady informing her of Homers where abouts, “HomerisaliveandwellandisnowlivingatPortCefianceZooandAquarium,thetrainerdudestoldme- themselves” my eyes glaring into hers, she adjusts her cute little aquatics hat.
*I never made it to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium to see lil’ Homer. I’ve made several attempts to find her via the W.W.W. and have been unsuccessful. Perhaps one day I will find out what ever became of Homer!