Our Boy is gone — one of the first cats who, eight years ago, took part in therapy workshops led by Belma Mujezinović, now the founder and director of Foundation Second, then organized in the premises of the association Dajte nam šansu (Give Us a Chance) in Alipašino Polje.

Together with five other cats, Boy brought smiles and calm to children with developmental difficulties. He was especially gentle, patient, and affectionate. The children loved him for his serenity and the way he would snuggle against them while they petted him — as if he understood every emotion, every uncertain hand, and every silent need for closeness.

Since then, of the six cats with whom this story began, only two have found homes.

The others remained with us — and today, they are cared for by the Second Foundation, which currently looks after fifteen cats. All of them are waiting for the day when our CatBarn project in Ledići will come to life — a place where children, families, and therapists will be able to spend time with animals, in nature, surrounded by the love and peace they bring.

Unfortunately, Boy did not live to see that day.

His heart, which for nine years radiated warmth and tenderness, stopped beating before he could once again be with the children.

But he left an indelible mark.

He was proof that animals can heal — with silence, with a gaze, and with presence.

And that is why Boy will forever remain a part of Foundation Second’s mission — in every cat we care for, in every child who smiles when an animal approaches, and in every step toward our future CatBarn in Ledići and Abu Huraira Haven, which will preserve his memory.

Belma Mujezinović, director of Foundation Second, recalled how their story began:

“I rescued Boy from the street a little over nine years ago, when he was still a kitten. He was only four or five months old — weak and dirty from hiding under car hoods — but he immediately showed how gentle and affectionate he was.

I tried to rehome him twice — the first time with a single mother and her young son. He slept in the boy’s bed and quickly adapted, but sadly, she brought him back.

The second time, he was adopted and that same night poisoned by a neurotoxin. He barely survived. He was completely blind for several days, but, thank God, he recovered. That’s when I decided never to give him away again. He stayed with me, became part of our family, and the beginning of the story about therapy cats.”

Belma adds that Boy became seriously ill two years ago but recovered.

He fell ill again a month ago — despite daily visits to the vet and six procedures to drain fluid from his lungs, his condition worsened. The fluid kept returning, he was losing weight, and his tired heart could no longer keep up.

Although no tumor was detected, it was suspected that the cause was a tumor and FIP (feline infectious peritonitis), which had reactivated due to weakened immunity and a coronavirus infection he had overcome two years earlier.

“He was a cat who loved to be cuddled and carried like a baby. He would rest his head on my shoulder, as if he knew that’s where he belonged. He left too soon, but behind him he left a silence full of love and memories that will forever remain with us,” says Belma.

🤍 Thank you, Boy.

Because of you, we know that kindness has a shape, a scent, and eyes that speak without words.