A CAT MASCOT

Evening Star, Issue 20089, 1 February 1929, Page 11

A CAT MASCOT

GOES FOR A SWIM TWICE DAILY One of tho swimming champions of tho season at Compo Beach (Connecticut) is' a little yellow and white cat. On his collar is the inscription, “ Compo Beach Life Guard Mascot.” There is little else in the appearance of this young cat, which is (small, gentle, ami friendly, to indicate that he has made new chapters in cat history this summer (says the ‘ Christian Science Monitor ’). But twice a day this cat swims 100 yards or more at a time. The owner, Ewald Wilcll'oalcr, of (he Volunteer Life Guard Corps, explained (bat the cat’s liking for water began when he was a kit lea. Jto would be funnel wandering down to the water's edge at low tide, and, contrary to (lie usual fastidiousness of kittens, didn’t, mind getting bis paws wet. Mr Wildfoster began to train the cat to swim, using ‘‘only kindness and the utmost patience.'' “ Each day 1 would take tho cat out on a sand bar, .surrounded by water at low tide,” bo said. “ Here 1. would feed Idm a little at a time while the tide was coming in. When tho water would reach halfway up tin* cat’s paws I would take, him on(. I did this gradually for a week', letting the water get a little deeper every day Finally, 1 let it get so deep that the cat had to swim a few feet and then touch bottom again. “ He will lie in my anna perfectly contented while I walk out into tho water until about 100 yards from shore. When going into die water lie does not mind it at all, even though his head is submerged. He will swim in the roughest of water. “He is very playful immediately after coming out of the water. His reward cacti time is some choice Dibit of meat or fish. Me is a very devoted affectionate pet. After emerging from the water he stands and waits until he, gets a rub down with a towel, then he goes to the Life Guard Jiouse, where he knows ho will he fed.