ONE of Scotland’s top universities has revealed that it may name one a building after its beloved campus cat who passed away.
Miller, an 18-year-old tabby cat, became Glasgow University’s unofficial mascot when he began to hang around campus buildings as a kitten.
The announcement of his death on Wednesday prompted hundreds of online tributes from distraught students.
He was so loved that the university has confirmed the possibility of naming a building after him, or even erecting a statue in his honour.
Miller’s owner has revealed that upset students even said prayers outside her garden yesterday and she has received a DVD containing a montage of pictures.
A spokeswoman for the university confirmed that the campus would be undergoing redevelopment work, adding: “Many new buildings will be erected. A decision will have to be made on what to name the buildings, and naming one after Miller is definitely a possibility.
“If that doesn’t happen then we might even erect a statue of him. I’m sure people would love to see him remembered one way or another.”
She added: “Miller was a very friendly and approachable cat, and everyone knew him. He was so recognisable and could always be found near the library.
“He will definitely be missed and I don’t know how we are going to replace him. It’s such a shame.
“The amount of people paying tribute to him is incredible. Everyone is saying that they enjoyed his company.”
The tabby had his own Facebook page and the announcement of his death has already received 1,700 “likes”.
He was “loved by all” and known for cheering students up as they left the library following a long studying session.
Miller was widely known as the ‘Adam Smith cat’ due to his tendency to enter the Adam Smith building – a politics hub which was situated behind the library.
Laura Kerr, 33, who lives near the campus and has owned Miller since he was only a day old, took to social media to let his fans know the sad news.
She wrote: “It’s with a very sad heart that I have had to let all you lovely people know that Miller passed away very peacefully and pain-free after being poorly for the last few months.”
Miss Kerr, who owns a hairdressing salon in Glasgow, said: “The amount of students paying tribute has been amazing. I’ve had some of them taking pictures of my garden, one was saying a prayer this morning and I’ve even received a DVD full of photographs.
“He was such a darling. Sadly, for the past few months he had been suffering from kidney failure and high blood pressure, and he passed away quietly.
“He has lived in this house since he was a kitten and has always been around the university. I’ve heard that the university might name a building after him or even erect a statue, which would be amazing.
“All the tributes have helped me cope with losing him and it’s lovely to see how many friends he had.”
Devastated students uploaded pictures of the friendly feline as tribute.
Marie Cure uploaded a snap of the tabby, with the caption: “Miller significantly cheering me up after a very depressing session in the library. #RIPMillerthecat”
James Harrison said: “So sorry to hear. I’ll always remember Miller poking into my tutorials when I was in first year. He was a lovely cat and really cheered up a lot of students on campus.”
The University’s Psychology department also tweeted: “Sad news indeed. Loved by all on campus for 18 years. #RIPMillerthecat”
