The first cool winds of autumn have begun to move through the Belgrad Forest of Istanbul. The air is crisp, but the sunlight still carries the last warmth of summer – that golden, mellow light that filters gently through the trees. It felt like the perfect day for one more long hike with Lady and a few of our cat friends before the season truly changes.
Lady, once a stray dog in Silivri, now walks these forest paths as if she’s known them all her life. Calm and graceful, she trots beside me, sometimes pausing to sniff the wind or listen to the rustling leaves. A few of our rescued cats followed along, weaving between the trees or padding quietly behind us. Watching them explore so freely, side by side with Lady, always fills me with quiet joy – a reminder of how far they’ve all come.
We stopped for a short lunch break at one of our favorite clearings, where sunlight poured through the branches and warmed the fallen leaves. After lunch, the cats lounged nearby, content and lazy, while Lady rested beside me, her head gently on her paws, eyes half-closed in the afternoon light. For a while, the only sounds were birds calling and the breeze moving through the forest.
As we packed up and continued our walk, the forest seemed even more peaceful – the long shadows of October stretching ahead on the path. These moments feel timeless. Each hike is a small celebration of life, resilience, and the quiet bond between us and the animals who now call this place home.
Along the Trails of Belgrad Forest: Videos
🎥 Videos from this beautiful October day are below.
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