Persephone's Pomegranate's Reviews > All Creatures Great and Small

Dr. White named her Tokitae, which in the Chinook language means 'Bright day, pretty colors.' The Miami Seaquarium renamed her Lolita after the heroine of Vladimir Nabokov's novel. Lummi Nation, who consider the Southern Resident orcas their relatives, named her Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut, which means 'daughter of Sk'aliCh'elh.' Sk'aliCh'elh is the name of a village on Penn Cove where she last saw her family.

57-year-old Lolita, or Toki, as she is affectionately called, passed away on August 18th. She was the last surviving Southern Resident in captivity. She was a member of the L pod and the presumed daughter of L25 Ocean Sun, who is still alive and over 90 years old. This beautiful whale touched the hearts of many with her gentle nature and unbreakable spirit.

Children. Adults. Scientists. Environmentalists. Philanthropists. Activists. Orca enthusiasts. Lummi Nation. People from all over the world. They were all united in one goal: to relocate Lolita to a sea sanctuary in her home waters of the Salish Sea. Sadly, she died before the plans were finalized. Lolita's remains were cremated and flown to Bellingham, Washington, where they were delivered to the Lummi Nation tribe. In a way, Lolita DID come home. It was not in the way we wanted, but she came home. Several ceremonies were held in her honor. I am incredibly touched by the love people had for her. Her memory lives on.

Salmon-eating Southern Residents are very family-oriented. Both males and females stay with their mothers their whole lives. Lolita/Tokitae never forgot her family's calls. For decades and decades, while being imprisoned in the world's smallest orca tank, she continued to make L pod's unique vocalizations. Songs her mother taught her.

This isn't in the book. It's something I had to write. Toki deserves to be remembered. I'm sure James Herriot wouldn't have minded. For more information, visit my blog: https://mermaidmusings7.tumblr.com

All Creatures Great and Small is a lovely book. It's a must-read for animal lovers. Mr. Herriot is one of my heroes, along with Jane Goodall, Ingrid Visser, Alexandra Morton, Eva Saulitis, and Monika Wieland Shields. His intelligence, kindness, and humor shine through on every page.

“If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.”

This is such a feel-good book. It's much more uplifting than I expected. The storytelling is *chef's kiss.*

Yet what made him trail down that hillside every day in all weathers? Why had he filled the last years of those two old horses with peace and beauty? Why had he given them a final ease and comfort which he had withheld from himself? It could only be love.

I've encountered many animal species in my life. I've been surrounded by cats and fish all my life. It sounds weird, but it's true. My mom has always been obsessed with cats, I've always been into fish, and my dad had no choice but to go along with it. It's hard to pick my favorite species. Great white sharks, orcas, cats, squirrels, and bunnies are probably at the top of the list. I'll quit yapping and show some of my pictures.

Best pet I ever had:



Where the wild things are: