CAT MASCOT SWIMS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6808, 11 January 1929, Page 8

CAT MASCOT SWIMS

MAKES NEW CHAPTER IN EELINE HISTORY. One of the swimming champions of the 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, and friendly, to indicate that he has made new chapters in cat history this summer (says i the Christian Scieneo Monitor). Eut twice a day this cat swims 100 yards or more at a time. „„ ... The owner, Ewald Wildfostcr, of the Volunteer Life Guard Corps, explained that the cat ’3 liking for water began when he was a kitten. Ho would bo found wandering down to the water’s edge at low tide, and, contrary to the usual fastidiousness of kittens, didn't mind-getting his paws wet. Mr. Wildfoster began to train the cat to swim, using “only kindness and the utmost patience.’’ “Each day I would take the cat out on a sand bar, surrounded by water at low tide,” he said. “Hero I would feed him a little at a time while the tide was coming in. AVhen the water would reach halfway up the cat’s paws, I would take him out. I did this gradually for a week, letting the water get a littlo deeper every day. Einally I let it get so deep that the cat had to swim a few feet and then touch bottom again. “He will lie in my arms perfectly contented whilo T walk out into the water until about 100 yards from shore. When going into the water he does not mind it at all, even though his head is submerged. He will ■ swim in tho roughest of water. “He is very playful immediately after coming out of tho water. His reward each time is some choice titbit of meat or fish. He 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 house, whore he. knows ho will be fed. ’ ’