Gus is a domestic short-hair, or DSH, according to his records at the vet’s office.

His markings are like a tuxedo cat, except he has soft grey fur rather than the traditional glossy black coat.

But what most distinguishes Gus is the absence of a tail. There’s a slight mention of one, about two-inches long. He doesn’t seem to miss it.

His green eyes are rimmed with kohl black like he’s wearing eyeliner. He’s a handsome dude, and he knows it.

My daughter found Gus during the week of Riverbend several Junes ago. About eight-weeks-old, alone on a busy street and no one to claim him, and well, you know the rest of the story.

Gus sometimes forgets that he’s a cat. When the dogs are lined up and sitting properly for a treat, there’s Gus waiting not so patiently for his treat, and if there are no cat treats, he’ll have a dog treat, thank you very much. He frequently stops by the dog food bowls to see if their fare is tastier.

In the summertime when the catnip is coming up, Gus remembers and relishes the fact that he’s a feline.

And each evening he remembers that he’s a cat, and a lap is where he belongs.

Ann Malone is a pet photographer and can't remember a time she did not have pets in her life. Today she has three dogs, three cats and one parrot. She can be reached at annmh@live.com.