Longboat Key golden retriever befriends a manatee

Mochi the golden retriever loves relaxing on the waters of Longboat Key, floating on his pool noodle and playing with fish. But recently, Mochi made friends with a gentle giant. 

One afternoon, Toni and Dan Pavlovich parked their boat to do some fishing. Mochi also enjoys fishing. He likes to hold fish in his mouth for a bit, with a soft bite, before releasing them. 

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Mochi was hanging around on the boat platform, said Toni Pavlovich, when suddenly a manatee floated up to Mochi. For 10 minutes, the golden retriever and manatee “booped noses.” The manatee would come to the surface, and Mochi would touch his nose to the manatee’s snout. Then, the manatee swam away. 

About an hour later, though, Pavlovich said the manatee returned to play with Mochi. The two hung around at the back end of the boat, touching noses and blowing bubbles.

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“It was amazing to see this gorgeous sea cow making friends with our salty sea dog,” Pavlovich said.