This is as close as I get to dignified, mate.

Sir Stirling¹ Schnozzbiter² the Silly³ is named for (1) Stirling Highway, the street where he was found as a kitten; (2) his favourite hobby and (3) his temperament. Why Sir? Well, with a moniker like that, plain Mister just didn't seem quite enough of a title.

One morning I read the following all-staff email at work:

"A little black and white kitten was dumped outside our office here in the Annexe.

He (its a boy) looks like a border collie (color and pattern), is about 10 weeks old, very, very friendly (purrs all the time), thin but healthy and very playful. The cruel people who dumped him didn't know what a beautiful animal he is. If someone is willing to offer him a good home please come and visit him in our office.

I will keep him 'till 12:00 and if no one wants him I will take him to Cat Haven where I would insist they should find a home for him and not put him to sleep (but one never knows!).

I hope one of you would take him or knows of someone who would."

I'd just adopted a third cat (Violetta) only the week before, but of course I couldn't resist strolling over to have a look. There he was - a gorgeous little black and white fellow who wanted to play with everything, except when he got tired and wanted to sleep on everyone's lap at once. He looked very much like my Boris, who had gone to the bridge a few months before. I hadn't intended to have four cats, but the more I thought about it, the more it seemed like a good idea for little Violetta to have a companion of her own age. So, he came home with me that very afternoon in an old monitor box.

Stirling (left) and Violetta as kittens

Vi hissed and swore at him the first time they met, but he just ignored her opinions and tried to play with her whiskers. By the next morning the two 10-week olds were both cuddled up together in their sleeping box.

Stirling is known for his good looks and sweet nature. Unfortunately his brainpower doesn't match up. I have a corner bookcase in my study, and each of my cats has got themselves stuck behind it once. All figured out that it wasn't a good idea to go in there again. All except for Stirling, that is. He's managed to get stuck there three times so far.

I found this stepladder.
Can I keep it?

Stirling is a very slightly built cat. He's not underweight (you can't feel his ribs easily), but he's very lanky and doesn't weigh much. When he runs he seems to float along with his paws never quite touching the ground, at least until he runs into another cat or a chair or something. He has a magnificent set of whiskers compared to the size of his head, and the longest tail I've seen on a short-haired cat, which he frequently chases. He still frightens the he** out of himself every time he catches it.

Despite his silliness, he's very perceptive of my moods - he has a real knack for knowing when I'm feeling down. Then he sits down quietly next to me and just keeps me company. He really is a sweet cat.