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John K. Goodman1 of 10
Over a year and a half ago, a friendship was formed at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California, between a boy and a sea lion. According to TODAY, 5-year-old Sean Goodman visits Milo the sea lion at least once a month, sometimes playing a game of "chase" with his dad's keys along the glass display. Lucky for us, his father, John K. Goodman, is a semi-professional photographer who documented all the adorableness for our viewing pleasure.
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John K. Goodman2 of 10
Last week, the too-cute chums attracted a crowd of people as they performed their impressive "trick."
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John K. Goodman3 of 10
When Sean throws his dad's keys against the glass, Milo follows the action. According to Aquarium curator Dudley Wigdahl, sea lions are quite fond of shiny objects.
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John K. Goodman4 of 10
The day that the crowd came to watch Sean and Milo, the sea lion was in a very playful mood, proud to show off his BFF to the masses.
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John K. Goodman5 of 10
"People stopped to watch because somehow they had this synergy that was pretty special," said Sean's father.
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John K. Goodman6 of 10
California sea lions are known to be the social butterflies of the ocean. They are extremely curious and friendly. It's no wonder he gets along so well with his human pal.
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John K. Goodman7 of 10
Although it may be unusual to see an aquarium creature react to a visitor, California sea lions are very easy to train.
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John K. Goodman8 of 10
"They'll react if it's a unique object or something that's unusual in their environment. Seeing that through the glass, that would be something unusual," said Wigdahl.
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John K. Goodman9 of 10
In addition to being social butterflies, California sea lions are often called the "dogs of the sea."
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John K. Goodman10 of 10Next: 8-Year-Old is BFFs with Alpine Marmots
"They love contact. I think of their behavior as being similar to that of dogs — they're very social in everything they do," said Wigdahl.
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32 Comments
I have been in the CA waters off Catalina with the seals and it's true, they are very curious and playful. One kept pulling my fins off! another would roll back a sea cucumber every time I rolled it her way! They are the ocean's version of a dog lol : )
January 02 2013 at 12:22 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyon the third picture...did someone drop their keys in the water?
December 10 2012 at 2:39 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyA lasting friendship? A sea lion 'playing' as it normally would. So, the kid returns each month. Does the sea lion behave the same way with others?
November 27 2012 at 2:54 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyCan one not simply enjoy, the whimsy and adoration of a boy, who can connect with an animal of the sea. Without being so, analytical about it, drawing conclusions of an ulterior motive. These indeed are the sign of the times. Slow down folks and smell the roses.
November 16 2012 at 12:49 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyPuck you and the Puck you came in on
December 09 2012 at 10:27 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyOk this is too cute to be true, I smell a fish a big fat publicity stunt fish!
November 15 2012 at 8:49 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyOk this is too cute to be true. I smell a fish and it's a big publicity stunt fish!
November 15 2012 at 8:47 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI can't believe they let that little boy drag those keys across the glass.
November 15 2012 at 3:02 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI think it is wonderful that love can reach through a piece of glass. Clearly it has
November 15 2012 at 12:56 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replywonderful pictures, thank you.
November 15 2012 at 7:08 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThe little boy and the sea lion amazing.
What would be my wish if I was the little boy..get into the tank with the sea lion....
Its nice to start a morning with wonderful pictures like this...
Thanks again
Kindred spirits transcend bodily forms. They may have recognized each other form a past life
November 15 2012 at 6:21 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply