The results are in for the second annual Riverview Park Cutest Cat and Dog Contest, put on by the RPCA with prizes donated by the employees at Pet Valu Trainyards. Eighteen dogs (including two Mollys and two Teddys )and eleven cats were entered in the contest. Over 225 votes were cast and the contest raised over $600 for the Ottawa Humane Society (surpassing the goal of $500 that the RPCA contest organizers set). Many thanks to all who entered and voted (and to Cass and the crew at Pet Valu Trainyards). A common refrain we heard was that it was very hard to choose just one cat or dog – given all the cute/handsome/beautiful candidates.
The dog who received the most votes was Molly E. She is a 4-year-old tri-coloured basset hound who lives with Lyn Ewing and her husband, Robin. Lyn says that “ our kids have grown up and live far away, so Molly is our baby now.” She was entered by Lyn’s friend, Mary Moncrieff.
Molly’s feline counterpart is Legolas aka “Gus”, a three-legged rescue cat who is approximately nine-years old and whose “owner” is Eve McGurrin. (Eve has just recently added a second rescue to her furry family: another three-legged cat named Mazy. “Two cats, six legs, endless love “ according to Eve’s father Tim.)
More details about the winners have been provided below by their “owners.” (Some people say that cats have servants and not owners.)
“Molly has lived her whole life in Riverview Park. Molly is quite a character. She is very smart, strong willed and loving. She is a friend to both cats and dogs (and pretty much everyone she meets. Molly likes to visit neighbours, new and old.
Eve’s father Tim says “Legolas/Gus is “the sweetest cat ever and might just be the fastest cat on three legs in the neighbourhood. Eve fell in love with Gus from the moment she saw him at the Humane Society six years ago. Despite clear signs of abandonment and trauma, he was very affectionate, and the match was made. Gus is happy to sit on my lap while hockey is on. His street smarts have faded – he rarely swipes food from our plates or from below the table anymore – but any loud noise will still send him scurrying under the closest bed.”