Most dogs are content forming friendships with humans or fellow canines, but Lili, a spirited 3-year-old dog living on the French Polynesian atoll of Fakarava, is anything but ordinary. Her best friend isn’t another dog or even a human—it’s a shark.
From the moment Emmanuelle Larchet adopted Lili, it was clear her pup had a unique love for water. Lili began swimming in the lagoon near their home when she was just a month old. This lagoon, teeming with around 100 nurse sharks, quickly became Lili’s playground.
While the thought of dogs swimming among sharks might alarm most pet parents, Larchet knows these gentle creatures, nicknamed “sea puppies,” are docile and pose no threat.
“They remind me of dogs—they’re calm, friendly, and curious,” Larchet explained.
Amid the lagoon’s many residents, one shark stands out as Lili’s closest companion. Known as Sharky, this shark is easily identifiable by a distinctive marking on his fin. Over the years, Sharky and Lili have developed a unique bond, meeting nearly every day to swim and explore the crystal-clear waters together.
“He always comes to greet her, and she’s just as excited to see him,” Larchet said, marveling at their friendship.
Though Larchet and Lili share a special connection, Larchet is happy to see her dog build such a strong bond with Sharky. Watching them interact never fails to bring her joy.
“Seeing her with Sharky fills me with happiness every single time,” Larchet said.
On the serene French Polynesian atoll of Fakarava, an extraordinary connection thrives between a 3-year-old dog named Lili and her best friend, Sharky, a nurse shark. Despite belonging to completely different worlds—land and sea—this pair meets almost daily in the lagoon near Lili’s home. The gentle and playful nature of nurse sharks, often called “sea puppies,” has fostered a safe environment for this unique friendship to blossom. From splashing around to exploring the lagoon, Lili and Sharky’s bond is a heartwarming reminder that friendship transcends species and ecosystems.
