Wild Shark Recognizes Human Best Friend After They Were Separated For A Year | The Dodo Soulmates

She's almost like a big Labrador retriever that wants love and affection constantly.

She's always the same exact reliable gentle giant.

It was in late 2001 when she first started showing up at Tiger Beach.

It's 20 years

My relationship with Emma has grown exponentially every time I've been able to remove a hook.

And so far, there's been four hooks.

January of 2020 was the last time that I was able to interact with Emma, not realizing the pandemic would actually stop me from experiencing these encounters with her.

I had absolutely no idea that sharks were affectionate creatures.

A shark that I named Captain Ron swam into the area with a hook through its jaw, and I got this crazy idea.

I could gain a sense of trust with the shark so I could remove the hook.

The shark loved having his head rubbed.

Within two hours, I had the hook removed.

Removing the hook was a game changer moment for me.

these are without question sentient creatures that thrive on affection which they've never had before.

These beautiful creatures want absolutely nothing to do with us as a food source.

The anticipation of having a reunion with a wild animal that you've had a relationship for this many years is so heartwarming.

We were there in the Bahamas, and unfortunately, she didn't show up.

But I was actually taking a break when somebody screamed, Emma is here, which woke me up.

I'm down there, and all of a sudden I see a tiger shark coming from in the distance, and I can tell that it was Emma.

The sharks can tell different boats apart, so I think she could tell that it was the shear water there, but she stopped like, hey, where's my friend, where's Jim at?

I just got so excited to see her.

I proceeded to get into the water and have this beautiful reunion.

She was the same exact shark that I've known all this time.

It was as if no time had gone by whatsoever.

I don't think there's another shark that even holds a candle to how lovable, how affectionate and warm-hearted Emma is.

She leaves me speechless.

I don't know that there are really words to describe what it is like to have a friendship with a wild animal like this.

But it's extreme joy, heartwarming, almost tearful.