Well it had to happen sooner or later. Roq took the plunge today. Hideko went with him. I jumped in of my own accord to ensure that the entire family was equally wet and stinky.

I have been taking Roq ashore with the dink every morning since we moved aboard, so today Hideko decided she would give me a break (some break) and take Roq herself. Hideko then proceeded to dunk Roq in the drink right at the stern of the big boat before even getting into the dinghy. I went out to see what the commotion was and helped Hideko get Roq into the dinghy.

Hideko then set out, rowing the 100 feet over to the quay. After the first incident I decided to stay out on the transom to look on, it was low tide. As Hideko got to the dock she made a valiant effort to get Roq up onto the quay from the stern of the dink while it was tied up by the bow. Having experience here, I know that you want to get his front feet on the quay at the bow of the boat when tied up by the bow so that you can then shove his butt up without the boat flying out from under you. I was in the middle of calling this to Hideko?? s attention when the stern of the boat skated away from the quay and Hideko and Roq both disappeared into the brine.

My choices were, 1) Get a 50?? cat underway to go help (not happening), 2) Take the concerned neighbors up on their offer to use their dinghy (very kind but a bit slower than needed), 3) Jump. So I jumped, and swam over to the dinghy.

The water was 82 degrees a few days ago, but post the Norther that came in it was now somewhere around 71, a refreshing swim to say the least. Hideko and Roq were back in the dinghy by the time I got there and once I trundled in over the transom the circus was over, no charge to the many well entertained lookers on. We are now waiting to see if Roq develops the famous ?wet dog� smell.