Golden November Walks in Istanbul’s Belgrad Forest with Rescue Cats and Dogs

In April 2025, I wrote about Lady, a gentle dog my father had been caring for since 2016. When she was about to be taken away by the municipal teams in Silivri, my brother and I rushed to rescue her and brought her to our sanctuary in Bahçeköy, near the Belgrad Forest (also known as the Belgrade Forest). Since then, she has become one of the calmest and happiest souls here – a dog who once wandered the streets, now finding peace under the shade of oak trees.

Lady’s story marked the beginning of many quiet, beautiful days in the forest. But she’s not alone anymore. Nowadays, when we set out for hikes, she walks beside Ece, another rescue dog, and they are often joined by several of our cats – including Süreyya, the famously grumpy one who secretly loves our forest adventures.

From the Nursery to the Belgrad Forest

Ece came to us from the Bahçeköy Plant Nursery (Bahçeköy Fidanlığı) in May. She had been living among the trees and workers there, shy and a little uncertain. It took patience and many gentle walks before she trusted us enough to come along to the sanctuary. Now she runs through the forest trails as if she’s always belonged here – sometimes racing ahead, and sometimes circling back to check on everyone else.

And then there’s Süreyya. I found her in 2023 on a busy street, just a tiny kitten at the time, frightened by the noise and traffic. Today, she’s an independent cat with a strong personality. She walks through the forest with the confidence of a lion – tail high, eyes half-closed, pretending not to care, yet never venturing far from the group.

When people see a dog and a cat walking side by side, they often stop and smile. Süreyya and Lady make quite a pair – a quiet friendship formed without words, built only on trust.

[Yes, the photo above is Ece when she was a puppy!]

The Belgrad Forest in November

The Belgrad Forest (Belgrade Forest) is beautiful in every season – lush and green in spring, cool and calm in summer, peaceful and misty, and sometimes snowy in winter. But autumn is when it becomes truly magical.

In November, the forest glows. The leaves turn gold, copper, and crimson, carpeting the trails in color. The low sun filters through the branches, turning everything it touches into gold. The air smells of earth and fallen leaves, and every step feels softer, quieter.

One of the photos I took this month captures that feeling perfectly: Lady and Ece walking side by side, the sunlight painting their fur in warm gold, while Süreyya watches from a fallen tree nearby. It’s one of those moments that makes you stop and simply breathe – grateful for their lives, for their resilience, and for the chance to share this peace with them.

Companions of the Forest: Our Rescue Dogs and Cats

We go hiking like this frequently, especially on weekends. The cats follow at their own pace, occasionally climbing trees or sitting by the path to watch the world. Lady leads, Ece wanders between us, and Süreyya walks with quiet pride.

These walks aren’t just exercise: they are reminders of what rescue truly means. Each of them once faced uncertainty and fear. Now, they walk freely among the trees, safe and loved. The forest, with all its colors and sounds, has become their world, a living symbol of how kindness can change everything, and how nature heals.

In the bright light of Istanbul’s November sun, surrounded by golden leaves and gentle souls, I’m reminded again that rescue is not only about saving lives, it’s also about giving them back their joy, far from the dangers of the city and street life.