Internet Celebrity Golden Retriever Hung Out With Dolphins At Aquarium — Footage Is Wholesome

Aug 22, 2020 by apost team

Kevin, a one-year-old, Instagram-famous golden retriever, made the trip to Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida on August 7 to meet their marine animals, becoming best friends with a particular dolphin named Winter.

If you're feeling cooped up during the global coronavirus pandemic, guess what, so are our pets (and other animals)! The Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) in Florida recently reached out to Kevin, an adorable, duck-hat-wearing golden retriever from Tampa, to invite him to visit and give him exclusive access to their aquarium.

If you’re one of the roughly 214,000 people who follow Kevin on Instagram, you know that he loves going on adventures — so of course, his human, Elysse Gorney, obliged CMA's invitation. Prior to their visit in real life, Kevin got to FaceTime with one of their dolphins, Winter. According to CMA, Winter was the star of the movies Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2, which tell her story of getting an artificial tail after being caught in a crab trap.

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During their visit on August 7, Kevin got to see pelicans, sea turtles, and stingrays before heading to the brand-new Ruth & J.O. Stone Dolphin Complex, complete with five pools and floor-to-ceiling windows, to meet Winter and the other dolphins, Hope, PJ, Nicholas, and Hemingway. “Kevin had the entire aquarium to himself and he met so many new friends,” Gorney told Travel + Leisure. And it’s all documented on social media for everyone to see.

"I think this was honestly the best day of Kevin's life!" she added.

Kevin even got to go for a swim in the Winter Zone with Katie Wojdyla, Winter's animal care specialist. “Swimming with Kevin in Winter’s old home was definitely a day I won’t forget,” said Wojdyla. “Not only was it easier to breathe because we were above water, but it was an extra special moment where my passions for animals, the environment, and our oceans all combined. I absolutely love all our rescued animals at CMA, but there is just something about a dog that makes me smile.”

“I think this was honestly the best day of Kevin's life! We are so thankful for all opportunities Kevin has been given,” enthused Gorney. “His favorite part was definitely meeting Winter, and also getting to swim in the Winter Zone with some animal care specialists.”

Reflecting on the wonderful day they had, Gorney wrote on Instagram: "This picture is just so pure it honestly brings tears to my eyes. This boy loves everyone: dogs, ducks, people, babies, and even dolphins. Kevin is my greatest adventure and I am so lucky that I get to do life with him. Thank you all for following his adventures, embracing his weird quirks, and just loving my boy!"

What do you think of Kevin's day at the aquarium? Do you think Winter will remember him when he comes to visit again? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and be sure to pass this along to your friends and family!