A CAT MASCOT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20610, 8 January 1929, Page 10

A CAT MASCOT.

GOES FOR A SWIM TWICE DAILY. 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 the Christian Science Monitor). But twice a day this cat swims 100 yards or more at a time. The owner, Ewald Wildfoster, of the Volunteer Life Guard Corps, explained that the cat’s liking for water began when he was a kitten. He would be 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 1 would take the .cat Out on a sand bar, surrounded by water at low tide.” he said. “ Here I would feed him a little at a time while the tide was coming in. When 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 little deeper every day. Finally I let it get so deep that the cat had to swim a few feet and then touch bottom again. “He wilt He in my arms perfectly contented while I 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 the roughest of water. “He is very playful immediately after coming out of the water, Hia 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, where he knows he will be fed.”