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Unique Times

Where I share my jewels of wisdom of life

Happy Halloween Everyone!

I had a little delay in sharing my feral cat escapes with you with a published post and my unexpected trip to New York, so I thought today would be the perfect day to share the rest of the story.

Love is love when it’s given away whether in a smile, a nod, a gesture a purr or tail wag.  

Cindy

If you recall from my last post I mentioned my neighbor stole my cat or my cat chose another home. If you missed that post and want to get up to speed you can read about it here. Some have 2 or 3 homes like we know, if we know cats at all. It’s kind of like having a stray boyfriend who you find out is cheating on you and you’re in disbelief because you thought you were the one and only. It stings but if you’re smart, you steer clear and move on.

In the case of Issy, I didn’t have a fighting chance because my neighbor locked him in her house and didn’t let him out, even though he was “my” cat. He was fixed and had all of his shots mind you and had a perfect life. Well, except for Hunter, the hunter, who liked to chase him and our other feral’s.

After I relinquished my Catma position to my neighbor, I would go and visit him once in awhile but it was always painful since I loved him so much.

While there isn’t enough room to take every feral into your house, you can take them into your heart.  

Cindy

Amends:

I hadn’t seen my neighbor for quite awhile and I was missing Issy, so I gave her a call to see how things were going. She told me she was dying of cancer and Issy would lay with her night and day and nuzzled her head and preened her, the same way he had done with me sitting in my barn. She continued “he was the best cat I’ve ever had and I have never loved a cat more”. God knows the lady fed and owned a lot of cats and fed the neighbor hood strays, raccoons, squirrels, you name it, so to say he was the best cat was truly something.

She thanked me profusely for allowing me to let her keep him. I still get chocked up remembering this with both happy tears and sad. Right then and there, I felt a shift and wave of love knowing how perfect it was that Issy came into her life to experience love we are all so deserving of and help her make her transition. I believe we each have a soul purpose and I think Issy’s was to heal and bring love. When I saw the perfection in it, I released any animosity I ever had and just felt grateful I had raised a feral that was capable of giving this much of himself and giving her a beautiful crossing over. Her daughter and son moved into her home and always told me just how much they were grateful to me for the love their mother got in her last year with Issy.

Connection is deeper than words which you learn when you make friends with a feral. 

Cindy

Caroline’s last days with Issy

By now all of our feral’s were gone but I continued to keep an eye out of course and would sometimes see a cat that might look like Star or Fia but much to my chagrin, I never did. I never gave up hope after 2 years of them being gone none the less. I adored Ollie but it was lonely without Maya around.

Halloween night in 2018 we were heading to my mom’s to celebrate Halloween and even had 2 of our adult kids with us to go visit. For the past 38 years we have gone to my mom and stepdad’s because they have a wonderful flat area and everyone makes a big fuss with decorations. We would bring about 20 of our friends and their kids there for dinner and then we would walk with the kids while they trick or treated. They were amazingly gracious.

When you love something and truly let it go, something always makes it’s way back to your heart.

Cindy

As we turned the corner, a black cat ran in front of our car and my low and behold it was Stargazer. We could not believe our eyes and I leaped out of the car and there she was right in the field down the street from us. I was in shock and so ecstatic.

Every day and every-night after that, I would go down and feed her from a distance and then she would get closer and closer to me. Sometimes, she would have eaten a mouse with blood all over her mouth while I was there and then devoured the can of food I brought for her. One night I got her to follow me to the barn which took about an hour (it’s a 10 min. walk usually) because she was clearly scared Hunter might be there and then bolted. I started bringing a cat carrier down and finally got her to go in to the carrier to give her dinner. I could have brought her home but it was so close to Christmas and all 4 of the kids and all of their friends would be piling in, so I thought better of it. It would have been a disaster with loud music and slamming and left open doors.

Was it the feral within me that wanted to rescue you so I could rescue me or my heart that yearned to love and be loved?   

Cindy

I brought cat boxes to 2 different houses she hung out at and got permission from my neighbors to hang out there as well. They were thrilled to have a ratter on the property. It was like clock work and she would wait for me morning and night until I came to feed her.

Finally, the day had come when the kids left after new years and I knew it was safe to bring her home. We would have enough to deal with acclimating her to Ollie and then Hunter. Even as tame as I got her, it is no small feat bringing a feral into a house. She remained in the bathroom howling for the next week with me sleeping right next to her. Then we graduated to my daughters room and the bathroom where I slept with her every night for the next 2 months. Yes, my husband lost me to a cat. 😹

Slowly I acclimated her with a screen between the doors to Ollie and then Hunter. I got a catio so she could go outdoors and finally, 6 months later I got her a cat tracker and let her out in the day. She’s pretty reliable and has only stayed out once all night. She comes to the bell and wanders in and out but sleeps by my side or under my arm at night when Ollie the bully, doesn’t kick her out. They aren’t besties but the whole tribe tolerate each other and occasionally play.

Gaining a feral’s trust is one of the most rewarding feelings in the world. 

Cindy
I went to my neighbors at Al Di La in my P.J.s every morning and evening.. It became my home away from home. Sometimes I would take my car down. They only lived there part time but one day they drove up in their car to come into their home and here I was camped out on their wall with my cat and coffee. Yikes, talk about embarrassing and they were annoyed. I apologized and drove to my home which I call La Di Da.

There’s a fixed feral down the road I feed everyday which is a story I will tell you about another time. He lives where Issy lived with my neighbor, but it’s too long to go into here. Let’s just say his name is Bad Ass Grey Cat but I’m not bringing him home as life is status quo for now and I love that.

Have a wonderful Halloween. Never give up hope, continue following your heart. Trust life’s process and may you have more treats than tricks.

Always Love and Blessings,

😻🎃😺

Cindy

Copyright © 2022 Cindy Georgakas

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ben Alexander
10 months ago

Slowly I acclimated her with a screen between the doors to Ollie and then Hunter. Then I got a catio so she could go outdoors and finally 6 months later I got her a cat tracker and let her out in the day.

Amazing, Cindy – you have a heart of gold.

💛
David

eunice
10 months ago

Happy celebration.

eunice
Reply to  Cindy Georgakas
10 months ago

You are welcome.🙏🙏 But, l don’t think we have such in Ghana. I only see in movies.

eunice
Reply to  Cindy Georgakas
10 months ago

🙏🙏💙

Homemaking in the Dunes
10 months ago

Lovely cats.

gabychops
10 months ago

Thank you, Cindy, for the wonderful story, it resonates with me because I saved a feral cat and after 9 months he adopted me as his best friend, and we lived happily for several years until he passed away.

Joanna

Sadje
10 months ago

You have lots of love and patience for your cats Cindy. I’m glad you’re reunited with her.

Sadje
Reply to  Cindy Georgakas
10 months ago

Most welcome my friend. 🥹

Sadje
Reply to  Cindy Georgakas
10 months ago

💙🤎💛

Suzette Benjamin
10 months ago

A wonderful touching story Cindy. We never know what another is suffering and how what we have might bring comfort to another.

Suzette Benjamin
Reply to  Cindy Georgakas
10 months ago

Yes, you are blessed indeed..in the giving and in having received. Peace.

Suzette Benjamin
Reply to  Cindy Georgakas
10 months ago

🙏🙏

aparna12
aparna12
10 months ago

Happy Halloween, dear Cindy. I agree with David. Your heart is indeed of pure gold. I love cats. They are the cutest creatures and I would love to cuddle one. But unfortunately our area is full of stray dogs. I admire dogs too because I am basically an animal lover. Hats off to you, dear. You are a very sweet, dear person. 😊😊😊♥️♥️♥️

~M
~M
10 months ago

Such a sweet story, Cindy. 🙂

Gabriela Marie Milton
10 months ago

Happy Halloween Cindy. Have fun. Sending love to everyone.
xoxo

Gabriela Marie Milton
Reply to  Cindy Georgakas
10 months ago

Thank you hon 🙏🌹🌺🌹🌸🎃🎃🎃🎃

Monkey's Tale
10 months ago

What a great story! I love that you built a catio. My friend in San Francisco is a cat foster parent and built a huge catio for them. I think many became her pets. Maggie

GraceoftheSun
10 months ago

I have always said you are awesome and this solidifies why I think so. How sweet of you to allow your neighbor to keep Issy, what a selfless and beautiful act. You are so kind and generous, my friend. Many blessings to you. Thanks so much for sharing this touching story and the wonderful pictures.💕

GraceoftheSun
Reply to  Cindy Georgakas
10 months ago

It’s truly a pleasure, Cindy. Much love to you, my friend.💕

GraceoftheSun
Reply to  Cindy Georgakas
10 months ago

💕🙏💕

Marsha
10 months ago

What a great story about your feral cat colony, Cindy. I love the story about Izzy. He looks a lot like Scardy Kitty. Our neighbor never stole out kitties, but we took hers. She had over 60 most of the time – all had names. I did give her one of my favorite kitties once when she didn’t have so many and her mama kitty had been killed by a coyote. Nutter Butter and Moji are both products of her feral cat colony. I love your cat names. Aren’t cats so much fun?

Marsha
Reply to  Cindy Georgakas
10 months ago

Thanks, Cindy.

Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet
10 months ago

Love your cat tales, Cindy! <3 Happy Halloween!

Pooja G
10 months ago

Really touching story and cats really just have a way of stealing your heart!

Pooja G
Reply to  Cindy Georgakas
10 months ago

😻

Steve
10 months ago

Wonderful story. So uplifting Cindy, thank you.

Timothy Price
Timothy Price
10 months ago

You have to love the kitties. What a sassy cat.

katiemiafrederick
10 months ago

SMiLes Dear Cindy How HeART Touching Your
Story of Pets Feral, Domesticated, And Finding

Homes Where
Love Needs
Them Most

To Return to
Life Most the Feral
Cat Who Lived Inside Outside
And Inside and Only Inside With
Us With Feline Leukemia Truly Helped
Bring me Back to the Call of the Wild

And Within the Warmth
That This World of
CuLTURE And Tools
We May Become

Will Take Away

Cold to the Point of
No Return With No
Memory of The Warmth
That A Communion of SMiLEs Brings

Perhaps Only Empty SHells of Words
Looking For A Home With Freeing SoUL Poetry True

Some Folks Say Dogs and Cats Don’t Go to Heaven
Yet of Course They May Not Understand Heaven is Within

Or They
May ‘See’

Purrs And
Wags of Tails
Angel Wings

How Heaven Acts When Really Real 11.1.2022
Tomorrow i Recognize All Saint’s Days For Pets
And Humans Capable Still of What Cats and Dogs

Naturally Do:

Love

Masters of
Tides Within..:)

katiemiafrederick
Reply to  Cindy Georgakas
10 months ago

SMiles Dear Cindy
That’s So Sweet Love
Your HeART And Soul

Thoughts
True too
my
FRiEnD
With SMiles ❤️ ☺️🏝

katiemiafrederick
Reply to  Cindy Georgakas
10 months ago

❤️☺️🤗🏝🙏

Curt Mekemson
10 months ago

Wonderful cat story, Cindy. I grew up with a black cat named Demon who spent her time between our house and the Graveyard next to our house. I slept outside in the summer and she, along with two other cats and two dogs, slept on my bed. One morning I woke up with wet feet. Demon had dropped a litter of kittens on them and my feet were awash in afterbirth. That may be taking kitty love a little too far. 🙂 –Curt

Kym Gordon Moore
10 months ago

Oh nooooo Cindy…not the Cat-napper neighbor! I understand her condition, but why steal your cat when there are plenty of strays out there for the pickin’? 😼😻🙀 Bless your heart that you forgave her. You have a good heart Cindy. If it were someone else’s cat she stole, it may not have ended well. Girl, it is never a dull moment in the Georgakas household! LOL 😂😜🤣

Kym Gordon Moore
Reply to  Cindy Georgakas
10 months ago

Oh Cindy my friend I hear you. I would be outraged. 😡😠🤬 But you’re so right, anger will turn into animosity, which will turn into bitterness. Bitterness is not one of your character traits. She’s going to have to deal with what she has done and the trauma she caused. She owns this sin, not you! You are a better person my Energizer Bunny! 🤗💐😊✨🌞💖🥰

Kym Gordon Moore
Reply to  Cindy Georgakas
10 months ago

LOL, Cindy, what is there NOT about you that makes someone love you so much, except that catnapper! 😝 You brighten our world my dear. Thank you for your positivity and light that you always share! 😊💐😎💖🥰 Hugs and smooches!!!

Kym Gordon Moore
Reply to  Cindy Georgakas
10 months ago

Oh my FUNyay Cindaaaayyyyyy…you know the most endearing things to say. So proud to be your friend. I love our circle of connection too dawwwwwlinkkkkk!!! 🥰✨😍💐😊💖🤗

Kym Gordon Moore
Reply to  Cindy Georgakas
10 months ago

😍💖😘💖🥰

DEVANG UPADHYAYA
10 months ago

A beautiful post.
I enjoyed the videos and pics.
I’m satisfied to read it. Lovely share.

Vidah
10 months ago

A lovely story!
Happy Halloween, Cindy❤

Jeff Flesch
10 months ago

That’s a lovely post, and while you know my rule on animals, for now, your post touched my heart, and reminded me of how special our animal family members are to our entire household. Happy Halloween, Cindy. 🥰🎃

Thattamma C.G Menon
10 months ago

Happy Halloween 👏🏼🌹 lovely story about your cat and happy to hear the cat is safe 😀👍🏼
Thank you for sharing 🌹🙏💓🌹

Thattamma C.G Menon
Reply to  Cindy Georgakas
10 months ago

So welcome dear friend 🌹🙏🥰🌹

SelmaMartin
10 months ago

Always love and blessings to you. Xoxo catmama

ishwaryaa
10 months ago

Thank you for sharing your heartwarming post. My kid is an animal lover and like cats a lot. Hope you had a great Halloween. Here I am a new blogger.

Dawn Pisturino
10 months ago

I’m so glad Issy was there to comfort your neighbor!

robbiesinspiration
10 months ago

HI Cindy, I think you were very kind about your cat. You certainly seem to have a way with ferals. We have two rescues, but we got them as tiny kittens and they grew up with us. They never go anywhere. I don’t believe either of them have ever gone over the boundary wall. Smudge is like a dog, she follows my Dad around and cries when he’s not home.

robbiesinspiration
Reply to  Cindy Georgakas
10 months ago

Mine are adorable.

KK
KK
10 months ago

What a wonderful cat story, Cindy! What impressed me most is… While there isn’t enough room to take every feral into your house, you can take them into your heart. You are so generous and selfless! Issy and neighbour story is just one example of your golden heart. Keep it up. The world needs people like you. Happy Halloween 🎃🎉💐💖

KK
KK
Reply to  Cindy Georgakas
10 months ago

It’s my pleasure, Cindy! Always welcome 😊💖

KK
KK
Reply to  Cindy Georgakas
10 months ago

🌞🌻🍁💖🙏

The Sicilian Storyteller
10 months ago

What a turn of events in this beautiful post of yours, Cindy G.! It was meant to be after all. As I’ve mentioned before, our Lucy is mostly feral. We’d love to bring in one or two kitties my nephew has been fostering but I’m afraid Lucy will scare the crap out of them! It would be wonderful if she became a changed cat with new kitties to play with but I’m not holding my breath. No decision has been made yet but as far as your Issy goes, it’s pure love … or should I say purr love! 😻

SaaniaSparkle 🧚🏻‍♀️
10 months ago

How cute are the pics <3

Baydreamer - Lauren Scott
10 months ago

What a sweet story, Cindy, and I think it’s great that Issy was able to comfort Caroline in her last days. I’ve never owned a cat, but I’ve always had dogs. But whichever we love, we love them all, and they benefit us as much as we care for them. ❤️

Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
10 months ago

What a touching stories, Cindy. You do have a heart of gold. My oldest adopted a feral cat and her four babies the day they were born. He kept them for five months and put the kittens up for adoption at a local shelter. He kept Mama-Cat. (This is what I call her.)

Laleh Chini
10 months ago

❤️❤️❤️

A Star on the Forehead
10 months ago

Hi Cindy,
I am more of a dog person but I am start loving cats now because of you.
I loved your cat tales and pictures! You are a great neighbor!!
Blessings!

Resa
10 months ago

Cindy, this is quite the moving post.
Sigh!!!
I am a cat person through and through.
All my cats have been strays, whether feral or abandoned.
Except for Johnny Depp. He was born in captivity in my home. He has never been outside, and is the oddest little creature. His mom, Jeep was an abandoned kitty. I know, because I know the people who threw her out.
They kept saying ,OH she ran away.
I always answered, yeah, to your back steps!
Anyway, one day she ran into my arms (more story there) and has been here since, 15 years. I don’t let my cats out, as I live on a car & bus busy street.

She was pregnant when I took her in, hence Johnny.

Crazy thing is Johnny was under the weather for a few days and a stray came to my window. I suspect it is an abandoned cat.
However, I didn’t go out to fetch it, because Johnny was already ill.
I saw it one other time.
I have my N watching for it in the back yard.
I told him to feed it if he sees it, but not to leave food int= the yard due to the rat problem.

Adore the videos!!! Thank you!

Resa
Reply to  Cindy Georgakas
10 months ago

HUGZZZZZZ!!!!! xoxo

ivor20
10 months ago

A truly delightful story Cindy … cats are fascinating but I’ve never had a pet Cat .. my mum always had dogs and bred Cocker Spaniels🐶🤗😍

Mimu
10 months ago

Reading this felt like watching a Netflix series.. It would be like Cats of the street – season 1 by Cindy

Mimu
Reply to  Cindy Georgakas
10 months ago

You absolutely should! I’d watch that for sure

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