This is a story about a man named Gary and a very outgoing seal.
If you’re thinking to yourself that sounds like a TV show from the 90s, it’s not but very well could have been. The chemistry between this diver and his Atlantic grey seal buddy is off the charts adorable.
In addition to his scuba skills, Gary also happens to be a videographer. Being so comfortable on the seafloor, it goes without question that the 55-year-old diver has seen some pretty incredible things. None of those things, however, could have prepared him for this encounter.
The man was scuba diving in the Scilly Isles when he had an encounter of a lifetime. One he’ll never forget. The grey seal approached the diver, stroking Gary with its flippers before rolling over to expose its belly.
The playful seal was insisting on some belly rubs.
With a sweet face like that, what was a man to do?
You can see the pinniped look Gary straight in the face as he feels the diver with his flippers.
Apparently, they hit it off because Gary and the seal shake hands and flippers.
As the seal rolls on its back exposing his belly, you could swear the thing had its eyes closed, expecting the full treatment of belly rubs. Gary does not disappoint. The seal even looks up at Gary, then the camera, before patting Gary’s hand as if to say, Yes, human, good rubs.
From the looks of it, Gary enjoyed the belly rub sesh as much as his seal friend.
The grey seal swims back up with its dog-like face parallel to Gary’s, and since this pinniped started acting like a dog, Gary treated it like one. Chin rubs, neck rubs, and some cuddles should do it.
The seal munches Gary’s hand as any pup would, not seeming to mind his thick gloves at all.
A viewer wondered,
“Who named them “Seal” when they could have easily named them Water Dog?”
The man has a solid point. This video has been viewed tens of millions of times across many platforms.
Their play session isn’t quite yet over, though.
They exchange a few snuggles, hands and flippers joined, as man and seal make a friendship that though short lived, will forever remain with them. What a sweet moment.
So, what exactly is a “pinniped”?
Well in Latin, it means “Fin footed”. They are excellent swimmers and as semi-aquatic animals, they spend some time on land or ice especially during mating and birthing seasons.
There are many different species of seals.
They have been hunted for their thick fur and even though hunting is regulated nowadays, the seal still faces many threats like lack of food, conflict with fishermen, and getting entangled in nets.
The biggest threat to them is climate change, as most live in the colder regions. They need the ice and with polar caps melting due to rising temperatures, their natural habitats are getting smaller and smaller.
They need all the help they can get. Perhaps this grey seal did just that when it reached out to Gary for some love which the fat flippered one gave back to the guy. If Gary and the seal got along, why can’t we get along with the rest of them, right?
“Yeah animals are cute and all, but never has an animal made me so happy. That was possibly the most adorable thing I have seen all year. I was laughing so hard i was crying.”
That comment was from a male viewer. Pretty sure Gary Grayson agrees. He must have gone home feeling like a million bucks that day.
Watch Gary snuggle up to his favorite seal in the video below!
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Source: DailyPicksandFlicks, National Geographic
