Fare thee Well Angelina!

April 12 is, as it has been for many years now, my father's birthday. But what do you get the man that has everything? Quality time with the grand kids of course. When I heard the the next Riverhead Foundation seal release was set for April 12, I thought what better way to spend a birthday. So we packed up the grand kids, ages 5 and 20 months and headed to Hampton Bays. I have taken the kids to a few releases and they always enjoy seeing the rehabilitated sea creature return to its natural habitat. Usually we are in flip flops and shorts, this time we donned winter jackets. My dad had never been to a release after ?? years it's nice to find something he has not done.

As always the wonderful staff was on hand handing out information about the Riverhead Foundation, who they are and what they do. We a waited a bit and then one of the volunteers got on the mic and started the explanation about how it was that Angelina came to be rescued and about the event that day. There was a little girl there who looked to be 9 or 10 who has a birthday this coming week and she requested that instead of gifts her family and friends, if they were going to get her something, please make a donation to the Riverhead Foundation. They must have responded because as a Thank You she was part of the release and introduced to the crowd.

It many not have come with ribbons and bows but the smile on her face said it was a perfect fit.

I did not hear much of in what condition they found the gray seal pup, only that she was 30 lbs when they brought her in. They also explained how they choose her name — one of the volunteers lost her grandmother last year. Before her death, the grandmother requested that when her granddaughter was out rescuing sea life could she please name the first one she rescued after her (the grandmother). That volunteer was on hand for this rescue thus the gray seal pup was named Angelina.

Weighing in at 60 lbs she seems to be a very active little pup. When it was time and the crate door opened, Angelina did not hesitate long before scooting out of the crate onto the beach and into the water. The pup popped up a couple of times as if to check in to make sure we were still watching, then one last time came up her little head out of the waves of the bay, as we clapped and cheered away she swam to begin her journey home.

If you missed yesterday's bon voyage party, they are releasing Savannah, also a female gray pup this coming Sunday, April 15 at 1pm also in Hampton Bays. If you go to the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research & Preservation web site they have a list of needed supplies you can donate at the release.