mochi swims!

It’s a walk of a couple minutes to our pond. Lately, Mochi the Barn Cat has been coming with us.

The first time she came, we were worried that she would wander off and get lost, but she stayed right with us, and now she comes along almost every day.

It’s a lovely little walk, from bright sun, to deep shade, then through the woods and up the hill….

To the dock!

This actually isn’t our dock—it’s our wonderful neighbor’s dock. They graciously encourage us to use it, which is fantastic, not just because it’s an awesome dock, but because our section of the pond has nada but a bit of knee deep sludge to wade through in order to get to the sweet, clear pond water at the center.

Mochi likes the dock, too.

She also likes to freak me out by stretching out on the top step of the ladder, the better to watch us swim.

Yesterday, however, she realized my fears.

She fell in.

No pictures for that one, as I was in the water. From a distance I saw her stretch, slip, and splash. I dove for the dock, swimming as fast I could, not knowing if she would sink, prepared to brave scratches from a frantic thrashing kitten in order to save her tiny furry butt—but she kitty paddled for a second and then scrambled back up onto the dock, saving herself before I could reach her. Poor baby, she was this dripping, shaking, rat-thing. I got there just as she slunk off under the bench to lick the pond water out of her fur.

I was so impressed with her, though! Was it all instinct? As far as I know she’s never had swimming lessor or anything. I suppose staying alive is a powerful motivator.

By the time we were heading home, Mochi was dry and fluffy from her pond bath, apparently unscarred by her experience. I’m guessing she won’t hang out on the ladder anymore, but who knows? We’ll find out later today.

A girl, a boy, and their kitten. A kitten, her boy, and her girl….