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
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
All Rights Reserved
https://ro.pinterest.com/pin/4081455901292703/
cute pics!!!
Amazing, Cindy – you have a heart of gold.
💛
David
Awww thanks so much David. She’s worth it❣️
Happy celebration.
And to you!!! Thanks Eunice!❣️
You are welcome.🙏🙏 But, l don’t think we have such in Ghana. I only see in movies.
Oh got it!! 🙏🏼
🙏🙏💙
Lovely cats.
Thanks so much❣️
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
Oh this is so sweet to know that Joanna. I’m so happy you too know the love of a feral. I’m so sorry he’s gone but happy you had him for a best friend. Thanks so much for sharing that with me!
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You have lots of love and patience for your cats Cindy. I’m glad you’re reunited with her.
I know Sadje.. that’s why they call me crazy cat lady which is why they call all of us here Crazy Bloggers … 😻😹 Thank you so much!!~! ❣️
Most welcome my friend. 🥹
💗💗❤️
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A wonderful touching story Cindy. We never know what another is suffering and how what we have might bring comfort to another.
Thank you so much Suzette❣️. You are so right about that and it was such a gift❣️ It’s lovely when it is received. 💗
Yes, you are blessed indeed..in the giving and in having received. Peace.
Thanks so much.. as are you. Love and hugs. ❤️
🙏🙏
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. 😊😊😊♥️♥️♥️
Thanks and same to you Aparna!!! Awww thanks so much! I do too and funny my vets said
“do not take a cat home as a Husky Shepard will kill a cat and he is very prey driven. With time and patience, they are a happy tribe. I hope you can have one to cuddle maybe someday. Thank you so much and big hugs.. 💗
Such a sweet story, Cindy. 🙂
Thank you so much Michele!!! I added quotes and updates to fix spelling .. I always have to go in about 10 times until I’m really done.. lol 😺
Happy Halloween Cindy. Have fun. Sending love to everyone.
xoxo
Hi Gabriela!
Happy Halloween to you too. Thanks so much and love to you.
Big hugs and love ❤️
Thank you hon 🙏🌹🌺🌹🌸🎃🎃🎃🎃
You’re so welcome.. Just to let you know, I went back in and fixed errors and added quotes the way your contributing author seems to have to do at times. Yikes.. 😹🎃👻
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
Thank you so much. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I know, catio’s are the best. Oh that’s sooo cool of your friend Maggie. I’m close to her. She has a kind heart. 💞
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.💕
Awwww thank you so much Grace for knowing my heart and seeing me. I really appreciate that so much!!! Life continues to enfold and give us lessons if we continue to honor our path and gut. You are a gem of a friend and I’m touched by your words.
Thanks truly ❣️😻
It’s truly a pleasure, Cindy. Much love to you, my friend.💕
💗💞💗 and more to you!!! 👻❣️🎃
💕🙏💕
💗💞❣️
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?
Oh I knew you would Marsha. It really is such a joy and a long around about way to get them. I knew yours were feral’s and you had that neighbor that fed them but somehow I didn’t remember that many.. Wow 60 is crazy. Good you took one. 😹 Amazing she knew all by names. Awww nice sharing of one of your kitties.. soooo sweet.
I love your Nutter butter and Moji too… Thanks! I do love them for sure, yes!! 😻
Thanks, Cindy.
💕❤️💕
Love your cat tales, Cindy! <3 Happy Halloween!
Thank you so much Cheryl and Happy Halloween to you my friend!
🎃👻
Really touching story and cats really just have a way of stealing your heart!
Thanks so much Pooja! They sure do!! ❤️😻
😻
Wonderful story. So uplifting Cindy, thank you.
Thanks so much Steve!!💕
You have to love the kitties. What a sassy cat.
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..:)
Love this Fred:
“Homes Where
Love Needs
Them Most”
This is so true.
Love your heart and thoughts.
Thanks a lot 💕💕💕
SMiles Dear Cindy
That’s So Sweet Love
Your HeART And Soul
Thoughts
True too
my
FRiEnD
With SMiles ❤️ ☺️🏝
Smiles back and love and hugs!
💕💕
❤️☺️🤗🏝🙏
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
Thanks so much Curt!!!
I remember reading about that story on your blog! It was a wonderful
Story!!! Animals give such rich stories and love and yours was awesome.. thanks a lot my friend!!💕
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 😂😜🤣
I do think of him a LOT Kym and just how Star and Him would have been having a ball!!
Now I’m mad again… 😹
Well hanging on to anger would hurt me more… it’s never dull that’s for darn sure!! Xoxoxo 💕❤️💕🎃🎃🎃thanks my friend!!
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! 🤗💐😊✨🌞💖🥰
Thanks for hearing me and I love your fierce protection of my heart and care of my soul!! Thank you so much!!’
Hugs and love my compassionate loving friend!
I know where to come when I
Need someone in my court for sure.. thanks💕❤️💕💕
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!!!
Awwww I’m so touched!!! Hahahahahahahaha!!! Oh thanks so much and you brighten our world as well.. for sure mine. I love our circle of connection and support. xo 💞
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!!! 🥰✨😍💐😊💖🤗
It’ my joy and you’re most welcome my dearest D❣️
😍💖😘💖🥰
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A beautiful post.
I enjoyed the videos and pics.
I’m satisfied to read it. Lovely share.
Thanks so much for taking time to read it Devang!! So happy to hear that!!💕❤️💕
A lovely story!
Happy Halloween, Cindy❤
Thanks so much Vidal!!!
Happy Halloween to you as well! 💕❤️💕
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. 🥰🎃
I do know your rule on animals and as you know I get it. Lots of work and demands, yet the love the give is like you say. I’m happy you enjoyed it and glad your memories of your animals came back front and center.
Thanks and happy Halloween 🎃 to you too Jeff?!💕
Happy Halloween 👏🏼🌹 lovely story about your cat and happy to hear the cat is safe 😀👍🏼
Thank you for sharing 🌹🙏💓🌹
Thanks so much Thattama and happy you enjoyed it!!
Thanks so much my friend!!💕❤️💕
So welcome dear friend 🌹🙏🥰🌹
💕❤️💕
Always love and blessings to you. Xoxo catmama
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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.
Oh thanks so much and I so much appreciate your kind comment. It’s a pleasure and welcome to blogging!! Have fun.I’ll come and visit. Stay in touch❣️ Happy Halloween to you as well!🎃
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I’m so glad Issy was there to comfort your neighbor!
Thank you Dawn! He’s a stud!!! and a love bug! ❤️
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.
Oh thanks Robbie.. It wasn’t easy. I hear mine were quite feral but it takes the patience of a saint and I have no idea How i mustered that up. Awww you’re sound like sweeties. They know a good thing when they see it!! 💞
Mine are adorable.
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 🎃🎉💐💖
Oh thank you so much KK. I’m truly glad you enjoyed the sentiments of my story. Thank you truly for your heartfelt words that touches my soul deeply! Happy Halloween to you too! 💗
It’s my pleasure, Cindy! Always welcome 😊💖
Have a great day when you awake! ❤️
🌞🌻🍁💖🙏
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! 😻
Oh thanks so much Nancy. Love that purr love and yes that was it. Oh I do know.. it would take a lot to work with Lucy. I think she needs that cat Guru Jackson Galaxy and he might not touch her.. you should call..maybe she could get of TV 😹.
Oh you’re right… she might kill them for sure.. Yikes. ❣️
How cute are the pics <3
Oh thanks a lot Saania! 💞
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. ❤️
I’m glad you liked it Lauren and thanks so much for sharing that with me. It’s so true! I love them both actually. I’m sitting watching a T,V. show about dogs and cats right now. my dog is sleeping and my cat is on alert, lol 🤣💞
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.)
Oh thanks Mary… so glad you enjoyed the story. That is sooo cool and so awesome of your oldest to do that. It is quite a gift to get them fixed and give them a great start. Oh happy be got to keep them!!! Mama cat is lucky to have you as a Cat Gma😻
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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!
Awwww that is sooo cute Ana Star.. I’m def more of a dog person too but I tell you these cats would change you. Thanks a lot.. Can’t believe IO was in NY and could have seen you.. Next time.. xo ❤️
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!
Oh thank you Resa and I see a girl after my own heart. Glad you resonated and what a moving story that is. Your heart is big and you are so smart to keep them in. Wow, how fun to have babies and Johnny.
N can really be something and glad you have a good one to keep an eye on him as I do the same with the stray down the road and don’t leave food unless I see him .
hugs to a fellow crazy cat lady!! 💞
HUGZZZZZZ!!!!! xoxo
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🐶🤗😍
Reading this felt like watching a Netflix series.. It would be like Cats of the street – season 1 by Cindy
That’s hysterical be cause my mentor thinks I should write a net flicks series and I just laugh. She’ll be tickled to hear this!! Thanks for sharing !
💕
You absolutely should! I’d watch that for sure
You’re so cute.. thanks!!💕🔥