Goodbye, Stein

[Dad's Note: Stein the dolphin has passed away after a long battle with liver cancer. He was in his mid 40's. As he aged past normal dolphin life expectancy (about 25 years) he began losing his teeth, making him very easy to recognize. Bridger met Stein in San Diego last year and has mentioned him often in his posts.]

This one is for Stein. He went to Jesus.

Poor Stein went to Jesus. He was a good dolphin. He was a sensational dolphin. He had no teeth because he was so old, but it was ok because the SeaWorld workers took good care of him. He had this thing called cancer that grew in him until he died.

I'm very sad about Stein, but it's ok because I know Jesus is taking care of him. Also the Crocodile Hunter, and that's really good because the Crocodile Hunter knows how to take care of animals.

Wish I could hold him and love him when he was dying. Then maybe he would feel better. I wish I could have seen him again and I wish I could give him something. Like I gave old granny a sticker of a starfish when she died. I got it from wal-mart. I don't even think they sell that sticker anymore at wal-mart. Then I put that starfish sticker on her shirt before she died.

Do you know what's good? I think when Stein gets resulected, he will be a kid dolphin again and he'll have all his teeth. I love Stein.

[The following is an excerpt of a letter from our dolphin connection, Erin at SWCali:

I am very sorry to inform you that Stein passed away on May 28, 2007. I was actually there when he died (coincidentally). He died peacfully in the arms of his trainers. He had been battling liver cancer. He was a very old dolphin. I am very sorry you won't be able to see your favorite dolphin during your trip to sea world this summer. Just remember he was loved by a lot of people, including Bridger.

Erin took some pictures of Stein in March. Here are those pictures with her comments:

This is Stein and Bodine. Bodine is a pacific bottlenose dolphin and the biggest bottlenose dolphin at sea world. He weighs about 850 pounds. They tend to be a lot larger, and a lot darker than the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins which is what Stein is. I don't know what Stein's actual weight is but it's probably around 450 pounds.

That is Stein on the right and two of youngsters, Nitro (age 3) and Venus (age 2).

This is Stein on the scale with a female named Beaker. Beaker is actually Stein's daughter. Her mother is a pacific bottlenose dolphin, which is why she is so dark. Beaker has two kids of her own. Her most recent one, Captain, a female, born in October 2005, is at RPP with her.

Stein on the scale again.

Thank you Erin for the information and the pictures.]

Previous Stein-related posts:
Prayer for the Toothless Dolphin
Toothless Dolphin Update
Things That Make Me Happy
Hot Air Balloon Time