PHOTOS: The shark whisperer!

They say dogs are man’s best friend, but Jim Abernethy prefers to spend his time petting sharks. Abernethy, a shark expert, has been swimming with sharks since his childhood and now can actually pet them like he would a dog. He calls them “gentle giants.” For over 40 years, Abernethy, 61, has run ecotourism shark trips through which tourists have the chance to swim with the massive predators and get to know them. (Caters News)