‘MOST POPULAR CAT IN THE COUNTRY’: GUS ENTERS DOG RACE, COMES FIRST IN CATEGORY
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (Extract)
Posted: Dec 25, 2019
The cat that entered a dog swimming race in Sydney’s northern beaches on Christmas Eve walked away with a gold in his category, and he celebrated with a Christmas swim.
Glenn Druery has declared that his 11-month Tonkinese, Gus, came first in the cat category in the Scotland Island Dog Race, as the only feline to enter.
Gus also beat quite a few of the dogs in the annual 550-metre swim between Scotland Island and Church Point Wharf on Tuesday, Mr Druery said.
“We started a little up-wind from the rest of the dogs, which gave us a bit of a lead,” Mr Druery said.
“Dogs are a little bit down the evolutionary chain than cats and Gus had the tactical advantage, but eventually the brute force and muscle of the dogs came through.
“He still beat most of the 5 kilogram dogs, and Gus is 4.6 kilograms.”
Gus joined about 70 dogs and their owners in this year’s race, competing for the prize of dog food and beer.
A dog named Bolt came first in Tuesday’s race.
However, Mr Druery said the crowd at the finish line “went wild” at the sight of Gus finishing the race.
“At the finish line, there was this little cat swimming among the dogs and the crowd went wild, they were chanting ‘Gus, Gus, Gus’,” Mr Druery said.
“It was like a goal kicked between Brazil and Argentina. I carried Gus to the support boat and it took 20 minutes to walk 50 metres, he was inundated with people wanting selfies.
“He was the most popular cat in the country.”
Gus’ participation in the race drew some controversy and race organiser Scott Taylor initially said the cat’s entry into the event was “not happening”, pointing to safety concerns.
But Gus was eventually welcomed into the race.
Mr Druery said Gus successfully completed the swim and will enter again next year, with training beginning on Christmas Day.
“I had lunch at the beach and myself and the kids went for a swim, and Gus went with us,” Mr Druery said.
He said he and his partner Melissa got Gus after their dog Bob died a few years ago and decided to treat the cat just like a dog.
“After we got him, I walked into the water at the beach and he just followed me, to him this is normal life,” Mr Druery said.
He said the entire race has changed after Tuesday.
“It’s no longer a dog race, it’s a pet race now, this is the end of dogmatism,” Mr Druery said.
He also said that Gus’ original family lives in the Colo region and has been severely affected by this year’s bushfires, and called on people to contribute to the firefighting efforts.
“I hope Gus was the impetus to raise a lot more money, I encourage people to contribute a couple of bucks.”
