Cat Learns To Swim From Dogs And Falls Head Over Paws For The Ocean
When Caroline Jarvis Hopkins, a professional photographer from North Carolina, welcomed an adorable orange tabby into her life, she likely didn’t expect him to become a seaside sensation.
Cats and water usually don’t mix—or so we’ve all been told.
But Marlin the Cat is here to flip that idea on its head, showing the world that some felines are more than happy to dive right in.
Caroline and her husband Mack live the dream on Hatteras Island, North Carolina, alongside their three lovable dogs. Their days are filled with boat rides, fishing trips, sunshine, and outdoor adventures—classic coastal living at its finest.
When Marlin joined the family at just five and a half weeks old, he fit right in.
From the start, the little orange tabby was totally enchanted by his new crew, especially the dogs. He trailed behind them wherever they went, determined to be part of every moment.
Caroline and Mack often brought their dogs along for boat rides, so once Marlin became part of the family, it only made sense for him to come too. That’s when his bond with the ocean really began.
During one outing, curiosity got the better of him. As he watched the dogs climb the steps in and out of the water, he decided to give it a try himself. But on his way down, he slipped—and before anyone could react, Marlin had taken an unexpected plunge.
At first, everyone was shocked, until Marlin did something that shocked them even more. Instead of hysterically crying, Marlin just went for a swim. According to Caroline, he swam better than his brothers!
Can you believe this? Marlin, a tiny orange kitten, defied all the stereotypes and proved to the whole world that cats can enjoy the water – just as much as dogs do!
After his first swim, Marlin became a regular beach visitor and a boat rider. He carefully observed his brother during their ocean escapades, making sure he got everything just right.
The water never bothered him. From being splashed by tiny waves to going for a full-on swim – Marlin loved it all! As Caroline said it:
“He was a natural to loving the ocean because he was raised by dogs.”
If his canine brothers taught him how to love water, then perhaps he passed on some feline grooming in return. Or, at least that’s how I like to imagine it.
Marlin, the swimming cat raised by dogs soon became a local celebrity. According to his mom, people couldn’t resist stopping to greet him and take pictures whenever they crossed paths on the beach.
His popularity grew even more once he was featured in People Magazine. That’s when he truly rose to fame!
If you have enjoyed this Tail of the Tides and want to dive deeper into Marlin’s aquatic adventures, be sure to check out his YouTube channel.
Also, feel free to visit Caroline’s Instagram for more photos of our ocean-loving feline friend.
