One of Eliza’s main tenets is that even small actions can make a big difference.

That’s true when it comes to our health, to our relationships, and even to saving crustaceans (the really ancient ones, which probably don’t even taste good) from ending up on a platter with a side of drawn butter.

Read on for the story of Henry the Lobster, as told by the Eliza employees who participated in his rescue.

This is Henry. He is probably over 100 years old.

Chapter One: There Once was a Lobster Named Henry (by Dawn)

My husband is pretty well known around here for his ability to eat and eat and not only not get sick, but not put on any weight. Every few months he visits with me at the Eliza offices and spends three or four days eating.

And we aren’t talking about your typical breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. We are talking about authentic bagels in Newton for breakfast, Kelly’s Roast Beef for a mid morning snack, Regina’s pizza in Boston for lunch, Mike’s Pastry for dessert, Dobe’s for fried clams for a mid afternoon snack, twin lobsters and steamers for dinner, and Friendly’s ice cream for dessert.

Last week he found a place that was having a special on twin lobsters and steamers. As he was ordering his food, he called me over to look at this HUGE lobster in the waiting tank.

He was almost fifteen pounds and had a “look” about him. The guy behind the counter thought “Henry” was probably over 100 years old. Even my husband, who should have a job in competitive eating, couldn’t bring himself to order him for dinner. I kept walking past the tank, looking at Henry and thinking there ought to be a law against selling guys this big, this old, and this wise.

The next day we were at the office talking about my husband’s latest food fest and I mentioned the lobster in the tank. Alex immediately jumped up and said “We have to buy him and free him back into the ocean – he doesn’t belong in that tank.”

Chapter Two: I Love it When a Plan Comes Together (by Elaine)

Every day is different at Eliza. However, I had no idea when I woke up this morning that wildlife animal rescue would be a part of my day.

After hearing Dawn’s story about Henry, I called the restaurant to find out if the 15-pound lobster we had just heard about was still available. He was, and so we made arrangements to keep him safe until we were ready to come pick him up.

By the end of the day we had assembled our “rescue team” and let the restaurant know we were on our way to get Henry.

And no, please don’t steam him.

Chapter Three: The Great Escape

We headed to pick up Henry and began what I am sure will remain in my mind as both an awesome experience … and a typical day at the office.

Around 7:00 pm we arrived at the ocean and took Henry down to the water’s edge. It was raining as we placed him in the water. He seemed happy to be back in the sea water and crawled over to the rocks looking for a safe place to rest.

We were a little concerned that he would head back towards the shallow water, so we nudged him into the deep water with an umbrella. It was clear that the tide was coming in and that Henry would easily find his way back into the harbor.

We went back the next day to see if he was still on the rocks, but gratefully, we could not find him.

Ok, so it was a lobster. And ok, maybe this gesture seems petty in the larger scope of things.

But as with many things in life, it’s moments like this that make us feel good, that add a touch of joy to our days, whether in the office or outside of work.

So tonight, we’ll be ordering a nice big salad.