Lady was a stray dog my father had been taking care of since 2016. He had built a kennel for her in the garden of his house in Silivri. Lady would spend the nights in that kennel and roam the streets during the day.
She was a gentle dog who never harmed anyone. Unfortunately, one of my father’s neighbors reported her to the municipality.
Then we got the news: the municipal teams were coming to collect her. For a dog like her, that usually means just one thing… the end.
We couldn’t stand by. On April 12, we (my older brother and I) drove to Silivri and brought her to our sanctuary in Bahçeköy, Istanbul.
Now, she’s safe. She spends her days enjoying long, quiet walks in the Belgrade Forest. She’s finally resting, healing, and learning what it feels like to be loved.
If you’d like to support my mission to feed, spay/neuter, treat, and protect street animals, you can join me on Patreon. I also have a Buy Me A Coffee account (Of course, you won’t buy me a coffee, you will buy food for stray animals!) Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a real difference in the lives of our furry friends. Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity!
https://www.patreon.com/ozgurnevres
https://buymeacoffee.com/ozgurnevres
The Day We Rescued Lady from Silivri
At first, Lady was scared when we put her in the car. She didn’t know what was happening or where we were taking her, and like many strays who’ve faced uncertainty or trauma, she was understandably anxious. Her eyes were wide, and she sat stiffly, unsure whether to trust what was unfolding.
But after a few minutes, something changed. She began to relax. The motion of the car, the soft voices, and the familiar scent of my brother must have reassured her. From that moment on, she started enjoying the ride, watching the trees, houses, and city streets pass by. It was as if she understood that this journey was taking her somewhere better. Somewhere safe.
The Beginning of a New Life
My landlord’s daughter owns a piece of land near the Belgrad Forest. A few years ago, with her support, we transformed it into a sanctuary for rescued cats and dogs.
We built multiple kennels for the dogs: sturdy, weatherproof, and spaced out so that each dog has a comfortable place to rest. For the cats, we created two heated sections: one is permanently closed and reserved for those needing special care, whether they’re sick, recovering from surgery, or living with a disability. The other is open-access, allowing healthy cats to come and go freely as they please. Some stay the night; others visit just for food, warmth, or a peaceful nap.
That’s where we took Lady.
After the car ride from Silivri, we brought her straight to the sanctuary. It was the safest and most peaceful place we could offer her. Surrounded by trees, birdsong, and other rescued animals, it didn’t take long for her to feel at ease. We introduced her gently to the other dogs and gave her time to explore the area at her own pace.
Now, she spends her days going on long walks in the forest, resting in the shade, and enjoying a life free of fear. After so many years of uncertainty, Lady finally has a home-one where she’s loved, safe, and free.
Peaceful Walks Through the Belgrad Forest with Lady the Rescue Dog
While she was in Silivri, Lady had become severely overweight due to poor nutrition. One of my main goals after bringing her to her new home was to help her lose weight. To achieve this, we started taking long walks in the Belgrad Forest. I also began restricting her food intake as much as possible, reducing it to just one meal a day, with occasional treats.
Sources
- Belgrad Forest on Wikipedia
