Is there such a thing as happily ever after?
July 16, 2008 – 12:00 amThis is Part III in the baby seal saga. Start at the beginning by clicking here.
We have spent most of the day avoiding the beach that we’re spending so much money to stay on.
Avoiding the subject of the baby seal.
Trying not to look at it.
Nerves are frayed. Everyone is on edge. No one wants this to be happening. And yet it is happening.
Then, just around noon, we hear a shout from the beach.
“THE BABY SEAL IS GONE!”
I look at my sister, and she looks at me. Our eyes mirror the same desperate question. Can it be true? After we’d given up all hope, did the mother seal actually come back?
We race to the beach, hearts pounding.
And it’s true.
The baby seal is gone.
We embrace and do a jig of happy happiness. “It’s really gone!” we shout, “the mother came back!”
From three houses down I notice a woman walk out on the porch, climb down the stairs, and determinedly make her way towards us.
She’s older with a ruddy face and a blond ponytail and a glass of white wine in one hand.
“It’s on our beach now,” she announces.
We look at her incredulously.
“The baby seal,” she continues, “it’s on our beach.” She gestures behind her.
“Oh.” My sister and I look at each other in disbelief. My mother-in-law, who has joined us, peppers the neighbor lady with questions.
“This is HORRIBLE,” I whisper to my sister, “how in the world did the seal get down there?”
“Maybe the mother moved it,” she replies. But neither of us believe it.
“Maybe it’s not the same seal,” I say. “I read that there are a lot of seals that get left on beaches this time of year. Maybe it’s a different one.”
Jay starts down the beach with CJ to have a look. When he returns, he shakes his head at me and says, “yep. It’s the same seal.”
“I wish she hadn’t told us,” I mutter to my mother-in-law as we wearily make our way home, “I’d rather be blissfully unaware.”
***
We have given up on the baby seal.
We avoid it. We don’t talk about it. We try not to THINK about it. We’re just glad it’s not in our line of sight any more.
It’s our vacation, after all, and we can’t let the CIRCLE OF LIFE ruin it.
It’s evening and we’re sitting around a roaring fire that we’ve built on the beach. Other than the pathetic little creature just down the way, it’s a glorious evening.
CJ is singing his version of “Row row row your boat.”
Row row row your boat
gently down the stream
ha ha fooled you
I’m a submarine!
“Look!” dad points out into the water, “It’s a SEAL! There, in the water!”
I leap to my feet and run to the water’s edge. Sure enough there in the glassy water I see the unmistakable shape of a dark head bobbing along.
It vanishes as the seal dives under.
“THE MOTHER SEAL!” my sister shouts, “She’s coming back for the BABY!”
And she begins to weep real tears of happiness.
“I am just so HAPPY,” she sobs.
Dad runs down the beach where our neighbors are fishing, to warn them out of the way. We wouldn’t want anything to stand in the way of this mother and child reunion.
They inform him that the mother seal already came back and the happy two-some are swimming just off the beach.
Jay runs up to the house to get the binoculars and we take turns peering through them.
And there, before our eyes, we see both the mother AND the baby, frolicking in the waves.
CJ leans his head on my shoulder. “Mommy, she came BACK!” he whispers happily.
So she did.
***
It just goes to show…
Sometimes things do turn out ok, in the end.
Mother seals do come back.
And there IS such a thing as happily ever after.
THE END.
But actually it’s not the end. Because SOME OF YOU have proven to me that you cannot be trusted with baby seals.
And so,
THE ADDENDUM:
If you find a baby seal on the beach:
1. DO NOT TOUCH IT
2. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BREASTFEED IT
3. DO NOT BRING IT INTO YOUR BATHTUB
4. DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT TRYING TO FEED IT
6. DO NOT DUMP WATER ON ITS HEAD
7. DON’T PET IT!
8. LEAVE IT ALONE
9. EVEN IF IT’S BEEN A REALLY, REALLY LONG TIME.
10. EVEN IF IT’S REALLY SUPER DUPER CUTE AND CUDDLY.
11. LEAVE IT ALONE!
12. AND DON’T GIVE UP HOPE!
The end.
(finally)
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Mother. Coffee drinker. Information seeker. Skeptic. Creative. Dreamer. Schemer. Absolutely Bananas.
By Ashley on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Awwww, good story! I’m so glad it had a happy ending after all, and that the mother came back and they swam off together. That is just so cute! You are a really great writer!!!
Ashleys last blog post..Down On the Farm!
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By Mrs. G. on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
I am so glad for that happy ending!
Mrs. G.s last blog post..If Mrs. G. Ran the Networks II
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By CharmingDriver on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
“The baby seal,” she continues, “it’s on our beach.”
Somehow, someway I initially read that as, ”And he’s our BACON now.” WTF, self?
Glad for the happy ending.
CharmingDrivers last blog post..Summer Lovin Had Me a Blast
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bananas Reply:
July 16th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Ok that is completely random. I love it.
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By pgoodness on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Thank you for the ending - you were killing me! Love the happy ending, and love the pictures LOL. I promise not to try to breastfeed any baby seals I see on the beach. ROFLMAO.
pgoodnesss last blog post..Book Review Tuesday
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By Simply Shannon on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Yay! I’m practically weeping with joy over the fate of the baby seal!
Thanks for sharing such a heartwarming (in the end) story!
Simply Shannons last blog post..Top 5 Tuesday
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By Carla on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
YAY!!! I am so glad for the seals and for you and your family! That baby was just too cute to leave behind……
Carlas last blog post..Good Times
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By Midwest Mommy on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Oh I love happy endings!
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By Jakki on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Good job for the circle of life having a happy ending!
Jakkis last blog post..Lazy Days of Summer
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By Mandy on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Oh I was so hoping for a happy ending. I was all preparing myself for “the worst”.
Such an optimist.
Yay for happy endings!
Mandys last blog post..Wordless Wednesday - Age of Aquarius
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By katia on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
I.am.so.relieved.
The drama is almost too much for a Wednesday. :)
katias last blog post..Wordless Wednesday — Stopping to pick the flowers
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By scarlett on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
I was sooo thinking that the neighbor lady had moved the baby seal herself. That she wanted it on HER beach. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case.
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By Lindsay on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
I am so happy that little cutie made it out OK. I was worried for him.
Lindsays last blog post..Dirty Baby Carnival!
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By Mamasphere on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Oh thank goodness! I’ve been thinking about that poor little seal way too much, and now I can put my overactive imagination to rest. And bless your sister’s pregnant little heart.
Mamaspheres last blog post..We Would Be So Happy Together
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By Stacy (mama-om) on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Yay for the happy ending!
First, the moth with deformed wings and now a lonely little seal. You guys are right in the middle of some serious CIRCLE OF LIFE shtuff all right!
I remember when I took my lactation consultant class (I haven’t certified yet), we learned that some seal pups can survive for FORTY days while their mamas go off and hunt. Basically, the mama fasts, gives birth, nurses ONCE, and then the baby can live for forty days from that milk (that is, if it’s not eaten by something else!).
Can you imagine nursing ONCE in forty days? It seems like my baby nursed FORTY times in ONE day!! LOL!
I’m glad all ended well!
Stacy (mama-om)s last blog post..Playing with Imaginary Guns
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bananas Reply:
July 16th, 2008 at 8:04 am
FORTY DAYS??? Seriously? If we’d known that we wouldn’t have been so worried!
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By pixie on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
*Sniff*
That was so sweet! And touching! And then I read your addendum — that was funny!
By the way, you look absolutely great in your recent pictures! Have you lost weight or something? You look GREAT!!
pixies last blog post..The Annoying, Condescending, Know-It-All
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By Domestic Spaz on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
I am doing an internal happy dance for the baby seal. I can’t believe you made us wait so long. And interjecting that Google Ad post was just… NOT… cool.
:)
I knew it had to work out alright. Now I can breathe.
Domestic Spazs last blog post..Peeps! I have created a place for you!
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By Val on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Oh what a relief! So happy the baby and Mom are reunited. I almost couldn’t take it anymore.
Thanks for the addendum….I need that!
Vals last blog post..If Only Soul Train was Still Around
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By canape on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Thank God. I cannot tell you how upset I was at this! I’m so glad she came back for him.
See you soon :)
canapes last blog post..Shoo Shoo dee Boo
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By Carrie on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Hurray! I was going to be really annoyed at you for putting us through this story if it didnt turn out well. :) Happy baby seal!
Carries last blog post..His idea of relaxing
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By Polka Dot Mommy on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Yay!
Thank you for alleviating the HORROR.
I honestly have tears in my eyes… how pathetic is that… I must be hormonal.
:)Cheers!
Jamie
Polka Dot Mommys last blog post..Recycled Clothing
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By Brillig on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
“Do not attempt to breastfeed it.” HAHAHAHA. Aww, I’m glad it was a happy reunion!
Brilligs last blog post..I Think I’ll Link You… part deux
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By Auds at Barking Mad on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Thank goodness all ended well! I had dreams which consisted of millions of doleful seal pup eyes, just haunting me.
Well, my relief was almost short lived when I saw the part where you said; “But actually it’s not the end…”
I was sure you were going to say something about a whale coming and eating both the pup AND the mama. Oh my heart.
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By Roger on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
I’m glad to hear that everything worked itself out. Great job chronicling the tale of the lost seal pup.
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By patreesha on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
I have goosebumps all over from reading the Epic Seal Saga Parts I, II, and III. Fantastic! I’m so glad the little pupper made it, Mama Seal came back, and your whole family could experience the reunion after all of that gut-wrenching!
I can’t imagine trying to have fun on the beach with a little baby seal crying by the rocks, flapping his little flippers. Lovely photos, thanks for the story!
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By Erin on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
I’m just so happy right now. Hooray for happy endings!
Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s time to nurse the baby manatee I recently rescued and have living in the kids’ wading pool . . .
Erins last blog post..Fun with Stones
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bananas Reply:
July 16th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
ok this is seriously hilarious. it made me guffaw all alone in my kitchen! :) thanks for that.
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By Wendy on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
whew! closure! thanks!
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By mamikaze on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
I guess you don’t want me to tell you about the time when I worked at summer camp. I had to drag a dead seal off the beach with a boat. Not fun.
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By Rachael on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
YAY! I am so glad the story had a happy ending!
Rachaels last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Flowers, flowers, flowers!
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By the planet of janet on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
oh thank you. i needed a happy ending today.
for reals.
the planet of janets last blog post..A decade … and a million years ago
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By Kim on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
I wish I could remember how I found your blog, but I can’t. I have been reading your baby seal story and am sooooooo happy. I almost cried when the mommy never came back and I got really worried (must be my maternal side). This is a great story of hope :)
Kims last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
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By World's Greatest Mommy on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Thank goodness. I’ve been so stressed. What a great ending. What a great story. I feel so much better. Did I mention I’d been stressed?
World’s Greatest Mommys last blog post..1+1+1+1+1=Fun
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By amy on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Phew! What a relief she came back for him! Thanks for the happy ending.
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By AGSOCCERMOM on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Glad to hear it. Now I too can stop worrying about the fate of that cute little face.
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By Mommy Cracked on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
I can’t believe I’m over here sniffling over a seal.
This was awesome! I’m so glad it ended on a happy note, though I know it was agonizing to watch.
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By MommyWizdom on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
I loved all of it; the story, the addendum, the comments…the comments to the comments. What a fun blog! So glad that mom came back! I almost shed a tear too - but I was reading fast… I hoped you weren’t going to leave us stranded. Cheers!
MommyWizdoms last blog post..Inspiration
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By MadWomanMeg on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Well thank goodness for happy endings. I thought I was going to have to hop on a plane and come rescue the darn thing myself. But now that I’ve see your handy little list of tips there, I will refrain. Methinks that seal mamas are a little bit scatter-brained no? I mean really, who leaves their kid for 2 days while she goes in search of that perfect piece of fish? Well…I might if I was looking for a steak. I guess I shouldn’t judge.
Glad it turned out well.
MadWomanMegs last blog post..Like the Little Engine That Could….but with a better Caboose
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By SeaBird on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Oh thank goodness. I was bracing myself for a good cry.
SeaBirds last blog post..Favorites: mastheads, series 3
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By Honey Mommy on Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Oh the melodrama! I could just hear the movie music in the background… from suspenseful to sad to something like… oh glorious day! The world is right again!
I can’t believe that I ever doubted it would turn out ok. I was just about ready to put YOU in my bathtub and pour a bucket of water over your head.
Honey Mommys last blog post..Frozen Watermelon Smoothies
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By Angie @ Many Little Blessings on Jul 17, 2008 | Reply
Whew! What a relief! I am glad that she came back for her baby!
Angie @ Many Little Blessingss last blog post..13 Free (or Nearly Free) Fun Activities to Do as a Family (TT #21)
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By Robin on Jul 18, 2008 | Reply
I’m so glad it turned out well. I haven’t been able to read any blogs for the last few days. I’ve actually found myself wondering about it at random times during my day. What a beautiful story (and lesson!) that you’ll be able to tell over and over again!
I hope you have a great time at Blogher!
Robins last blog post..Decisions Decisions
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By charrette on Jul 18, 2008 | Reply
Wow - Great story!
Thank heaven for responsible mothers everywhere…
even at sea!
charrettes last blog post..Running on California Fuel
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By mojavi on Jul 19, 2008 | Reply
ok I am a weeping mess.. def hormonal and pregnant..lol
mojavis last blog post..LInk Lovin’ rules simplified
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By Scout's Honor on Aug 7, 2008 | Reply
oh, thank bejesus!
I was packing to come over there right now to save that baby seal. You are talking to the woman that backed up 200 yards on a major highway to save a stray dog.
Breastfeed? Hell, I would have made it anchovy muffins and adopted it.
Glad to hear it was a happy ending.
Scout’s Honors last blog post..Book Burning: It’s What We Republicans Live For
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