On Dolphin Address you won't find protests against the horrors inflicted on dolphins and whales. Not out of uncaring or indifference. But because it smothers the celebration that is part and parcel of the cetacean world as well. Because there is enlightenment and healing to be found and because particularly for my bipolar brothers and sisters, dolphins indeed can save lives.
Like mine. My personal inferno began one morning in May 1973, when I woke up to a world that was, in the words of Sting, 'grey and dead'. Fourteen days later I soared beyond divinity only to drop to a mortifying standstill again after another fortnight. And no-one knew what the matter was with me. My GP gave me Aspirin and when in a psychology textbook I found an accurate description of the sways that ruled my life, the psychiatrist told me that manic-depression was something much worse. Much worse than my clawing up the walls from agony.
It is not only the mental pain that a bipolar disorder inflicts, it goes hand in hand with its social consequences. Initial sympathy is quickly flattened by the alternating surges of exhilaration. And no-one understands, least of all yourself. The inescapable enemy from within simultaneously isolates on the outside. Only animals don't terminate their affection.
To befriend a dolphin is no easy undertaking. To most people the only access is by a zoo or a delphinarium and solace from a prisoner is not very liberating. I know for sure, because as a sculptor I worked there for several years, so in the evening I could sit with them, watching them turning in dead-end ovals through their glass cage, and racking my brain how at least to ease their boredom. I was allowed to make several waterwing-inspired toys for them, which they eagerly accepted. Until in a TV interview I said these toys were meant to lighten their dreariness. Upon which the management banned the gadgets.
There is a lot of nonsense going about the healing power of dolphins. I found no instant cure by jumping in the water with Fungi, the Dingle dolphin, but his personal attention was soothing, his antics were intriguing and the closeness to other dolphin swimmers heartwarming. Fungi became a very own friend, someone with whom I could share my love of water, at whom I could find my searching soul and someone I knew always to be there, like a long distance consolation and a promise for the next summer.
No sympathy understands the manic-depressed but its own victims. I try to mix the dolphin understanding into my writes and pity about human cruelty upon them is no option. I want to share their love, fun and intelligence with anyone who needs it as much as myself. When I first saw the video Vanessa and Mike had made of Dusty seeing herself in a mirror for the very first time in her life I cried my sweet heart out. To me it was the kindest gesture we could muster as gratitude for her friendship. Then the video was removed on the pressure of a few self-appointed, motorised guardians by spurious arguments. It was alleged she could have hurt herself, that such experiments were superfluous as they had been done before, responsibly and in controlled circumstances. There it was established that dolphins recognise themselves, that they don't respond to their mirror images like dogs, barking against their reflection, even attacking it, as if it's another dog. To me that is only a proof that showing Dusty her own image does not carry the risk of attack and wounding. The unique aspect of this video is that never before this has been done with a wild dolphin. You can see her curiosity peak, the trace of disbelief when she tries to look behind the mirror and the satisfaction she accepts her own image with.
Another anti-argument was cast upon the human response to this video. That Dusty might be inundated by mirrors. Apart from this ridiculous assumption it goes to show how narrow minded a take on dolphin intelligence these 'guardians' arrogate. Dusty is no captive of her own curiosity. She can and will simply swim away from such a supposed massive invitation to self-destruction, would it occur. Perhaps it is the fascination with their own self-righteousness that troubles the critic's reflections.
So more than enough reason to sling the spite in the bin and share this wonderful VIDEO. Enjoy!