We had rarely seen such a pathetic sight of a cat, nor smelled such a disgusting patient. A lad from the local village had climbed down into the pit latrine where Sol was dying of hunger and brought him back. The quicklime had defurred his paws, and was already burning into the flesh. And someone had cut his whiskers off. He was so dehydrated that the vet was sceptical about his survival. Lots of rehydration, medications and cleaning – and naming - by volunteer Stephanie had him gradually smelling sweeter and finding the desire to get well.

And he needed every pound of muscle, every alert nerve-ending, every ounce of patience, because no sooner did his whiskers start sticking out beyond his face than the terrors arrived in the shape of Box, Sox, and Fox. Found in a box by the side of the Highway and brought to Hound Heights, these 6-week-old kittens settled in immediately, cuddling up with ‘Muncle’ Sol in the downstairs bathroom.

We had heard that male cats will often kill someone else’s kittens – but not Sol. With tremendous dignity and forbearance he has given everything to these hell-raisers except milk – although his sorely red nipples show they have tried. Now Sol stretches back like a proud parent watching the kids as they fearlessly explore the house and environs, run circles round the dogs – or ignore them completely – escalade the curtains, give demonstrations of all-in wrestling, and practise vertical take-off.

What a guy! Maybe Nature is telling us that yes, after all, males can behave with maturity and dignity. What a lesson for humans!

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