Being so young then, I don’t remember exactly how I came to be cared for by the raccoons. However, they understood I needed a human family and knew exactly where to take me. My parents put dog food and water out every night on the deck for neighborhood critters and were shocked to see my tail poking up amid the herd. A few nights later, I decided to hang around, just playing it cool. I was feral, so I wouldn’t let the humans get close. It took four months of my mom talking to me almost every night for me to let her touch. After that, I knew I was home.

My mom, a big Jane Austen fan, immediately realized I was a perfect little gent. With a big brother and sister named Mr. Darcy and Miss Lizzie, Fitzwilliam—the fictional Darcy’s first name—was the obvious choice. Everyone calls me Billy, as my formal name’s a bit of a mouthful.

My parents joke that I’m species confused because I (usually) come when I’m called like my black Labrador siblings. Whenever the refrigerator opens, they run in, hoping for a snack, and I’m always right there in the pack. I’m a great orator and have many opinions to lodge. I’m also excellent at stalking lizards. I’m going to be a detective chief inspector when I grow up and teach myself to meow with a British accent while I solve crimes.

Birdwatching, naturally, while sunning on the deck. However, I love hanging out with Darcy and Lizzie. We watch British detective shows together in our usual spots (mine is on the sofa beside Dad). If the dogs are stretching out on the lawn, I yowl at the window until Mom lets me out so I can join in. Zooming through the house with my cat siren blaring is also a lot of fun—especially after playing with my nip-filled mousie.

I like to think of it as well-loved. However, I am building an impressive wardrobe. For my first birthday last November, I celebrated while rocking a sophisticated blue and white checked bowtie. When visiting New York, my mom got me a puffy NYPD jacket that matched my siblings’. Yeah, and having my fur groomed with the dog brush feels fantastic.

They’ve never had a cat before and marvel at the fact that I’m nothing like feline stereotypes. For starters, I’m a klutz. When I get the zoomies and jump, my navigation isn’t, well, let’s just say I could never be a pilot. I tend to under- or over-shoot my landing zone. I should be embarrassed, but it makes my parents laugh, so I figure it’s a good thing. My sister, Lizzie, hasn’t realized yet that she loves me. So, I wait until she’s asleep, then perform a series of rolls and stretches (keeping them totally natural looking) until I’m snuggled up next to her.

I want to ask everyone with room in their hearts and homes to consider adoption. My big brother and sister, along with the rest of their litter, were taken to Dallas Animal Services, and I was a homeless kitten living on the streets. Now, we’re a happy, loving family of five.