August 8th is International Cat Day – so what better occasion to tell you about my cats?

Last year, a stray cat wandered into our lives and we ended up adopting it. This is the story of how our family turned this homeless feline into a beloved pet.

Introducing Galusca, the Stray Cat

During the cold winter months, a stray cat started coming around our house looking for food. She seemed very sweet and docile, despite being homeless. And she would purr 🙂 We couldn’t help but take pity on her situation.

It was January when she started to come by daily – we knew her from the fall.

At first, our dog Maxie wasn’t pleased when Galusca came around. She’d bark and chase her away whenever she spotted her near our home. But we didn’t feel right letting this gentle cat fend for herself outside in the harsh weather.

So we began letting Galusca come inside in the evenings to eat and sleep when Maxie (our dog) was already in another room, sleeping. Every morning the cat would leave again to wander around. She asked this: she would go to the door and ask for it to be open to go outside.

Adopting Our New Cat Permanently

This routine went on for months throughout the winter. By the end of February, Galusca had gotten so comfortable with us that she knew exactly where to go inside the house!

She would come running each evening when she would hear us calling her or when she would hear the sound of our car. It was clear this stray cat had chosen us.

Then in March, we experienced two big surprises that cemented Galusca’s status as a permanent member of our family.

On March 14 at 1:30 am, Galusca gave birth to a tiny black kitten right on my bed! You can imagine my surprise! I woke up, I saw something black, some blood – and I ran to my parents’ room.

My dad came to my room and he confirmed: we had a kitten.

Imagine how fun it was at school the next day. I was sleepy – but had a funny, exciting story to share! You can imagine that I told everyone!

Later that same day, my parents took Galusca and the newborn to the vet for a checkup. While we were there, Galusca delivered a second kitten at 1:32 pm – identical to the first (it was with the help of an operation.)

We were shocked but overjoyed at Galusca’s two babies. We decided then and there to adopt her and one of her adorable kittens officially.

Saying Goodbye to Our Dog

Sadly, our dog Maxie passed away on March 24th after many happy years as our pet. Losing her was very difficult. But finding Galusca when we did and gaining her sweet kittens brought us comfort and joy during this hard time.

Our Cat Family Today

Today, Galusca is 2 years and 1 month old. Her lookalike daughter is named Musette and is 1 year and 4 months old. They are the perfect feline pair and we absolutely adore them.

I feel so fortunate that Galusca wandered into our lives when she did. It just goes to show how animals seem to know when you need them most. Her story is a testament to why adopting a stray can be so rewarding.

Have any of you adopted a stray cat before? Share your stories below!