Picture: MOLLY TAYLOR
IT WAS almost a purr-fect showing for Mount Gambier’s iconic Ragdoll cat duo Wally and Bruce at the Cat Fancier’s Society of South Australia 2019 show, adding more ribbons to their ever-expanding tower of glory.
Up against “all the guns” with their groomed fur coats and sealed mits, the duo divided judges with both named best Ragdoll by different adjudicators, with the split continuing in the all-breed voting where both were awarded a second place ribbon.
With the annual feline showcase attracting 147 cats, Mr Smith said the competition was quite tough.
“When we rocked up and put them in the cages, all the breeders came up and just said they may as well go home,” he said.
“Each were competing in different groups but (the Ragdolls) placed second behind the overall winner which was a Maine Coon.”
Roaming the sales floor at Athlete’s Foot Mount Gambier most weekdays, owner Paull Smith said the pair play a vital part in the South East business.
“Both are considered workers with Bruce being our senior storeman and Wally our assistant storeman” Mr Smith said.
“They do not do much and love to play in boxes most of the day.
“We can not believe how much foot traffic they bring to the store and the following they bring on our social media platforms.”
No strangers to success, Bruce sits as a champion pedigree and holds the Royal Adelaide Show mantle for champion adult Ragdoll.
Wally has just turned one and is now in the running to become adult champion, although currently sits as Royal Adelaide Show best ragdoll kitten.
Mr Smith said wife Anne has entered competitions as a last-minute decision to see how the pair will go.
“We have been to three shows so far and we always go in completely blind,” he said.
“We are usually the only ones from a regional area but we have beaten all the champions.
“It is funny when we rock up with just our two small cages and everyone else has suitcases packed as if they were going a holiday.”
Mr Smith said the competition career started when they picked Wally up from pedigree breeder Cottoncandy Ragdolls in Adelaide.
“The breeder knew Wally was going to be outstanding when we picked him up and suggested we should enter some shows,” Mr Smith said.
“We did not know what to do with Bruce so we brought him as well.
“Our faces were red with joy because they received first place ribbons during their first show entry.”
Mr Smith said although it was great to win, travelling from Mount Gambier can make it difficult.
“You could imagine what it is like taking two cats to Adelaide,” he said.
“You have to find a place to stay, it is early starting and you have to be there the whole day.
“We were thinking about retiring them but Wally just seems to be on the continual rise.”
Wally and Bruce will go head-to-head for the Royal Adelaide Show adult champion title.
