Daniel Marsh lives a lonely life with his father who is still grieving for his wife. When he finds a walrus calf that has washed up on the rocks of a nearby beach on the harsh coast of Alaska, he tries to take care of her on his own. After spending a long night out on the rocks when autumn is quickly turning to winter, Daniel realizes that he cannot care for and protect her alone. He goes to his father. Since there is no marine park in the vicinity, his father contacts the local zoo to help rescue the walrus.

Daniel has saved the calf's life, but soon learns that, because she has bonded with him, he must become a part of her life in order for her to survive. He helps care for her at the zoo, nursing her back to health. When the baby walrus is well on her way to recovery, Daniel is confronted with another challenge. For the walrus's health and wellbeing, they make the decision to move her to a marine park in California.

Daniel is faced with another loss and wonders if life will always be filled with letting things go.