I didn't know what to do...

Sunday afternoon, Dana Point Harbor. My father, Kevin and I are walking on the breakwater with our cameras, anticipating a few shots of the days sunset. Maneuvering our way along the rocky path, we gaze out over the water admiring the Surfers making their way on waves in Doheny State Beach. Something catches my eye below me... a young pup is climbing the rocks just ten feet below.

Cut up, fur missing, it's eyes slightly gray with mucous, the pup makes eye contact with me and begins to climb the breakwater rocks toward us. I lean over the rocks and watch in awe as the pup climb its way up at least five more feet up towards the top of the breakwater to where we are standing.

It's eyes gleaming, I could swear the pup was trying to approach us. I knew the pup was in need of help and my eyes begin to well with tears. I'm feeling helpless, sad and angry. The pup continued to climb higher, inch by inch. It paused a few moments and surveyed the rocks, then lifted itself up and climbed again. I'm anxious watching the pup continue to pursue higher ground and I tell my Dad and Kevin that we should leave the area as it would not be healthy to interact with the animal, especially if it was ill. We were already too close to it and my gut feeling was to go.

I caught one last photograph of the pup as it turned to watch my father leave... I get up from my knees, brush the dust off my jeans, put my camera in my bag and I stare at the young pup for several more seconds. The pup paused as it wasn't able to climb any higher up the breakwater rocks. So it just stared at me. And then the stories began to run through my mind... Maybe the pup was waiting for its mother as she fished for food. I knew it is common for the mother to leave its pup on dry land while she hunted for food. But I couldn't help but wonder if this pup was seeking help. Perhaps the pup was fine, its injuries healed and was simply saying, "hello" to us. Whatever the case, the moment was deeply touching and heartbreaking at the same time. It was the first time a wild animal looked at me in my eyes at such close range. The brief connection was moving and deeply profound.

Since this encounter with "Bubby" (as I've named it) Kevin and I have chosen to look in to volunteering at the Aquarium of the Pacific.

I reported "Bubby" to the Marine Mammal Center with an attachment of his photo.