Caring for the Pack: What I Learned From Greece’s Street Cats
When I took the month of June 2025 to adventure to Greece for a personal and spiritual retreat, I knew I would come away with so many beautiful, transformative, mystical experiences. But I’ll admit – it didn’t necessarily occur to me that one of those experiences would involve working with animals!
If you've ever been to Greece (or perhaps seen a documentary or read an article about life in both the mainland and the islands) you've probably noticed the abundance of stray animals that roam the streets; especially cats. It can be a bit jarring at first, because loose animals in the US are often a cause for concern. In some areas of Greece these animals are not receiving the care they need. But in others, they are part of the fabric of the community, and cared for as such.
The retreat I attended was led by my dear friend Melissa Spamer, and held at Angela Farmer and Victor Van Kooten’s yoga hall on the isle of Lesvos. It was not only a beautiful oasis for our own practice and healing, but it had become a place of respite for a large number of cats and kittens as well! They were well-fed by the community and in relatively good health – not owned by one person or family, but cared for by the collective and free to roam as their Souls direct them.
I had wonderful experiences connecting with these cats. Their sweet energy called to me, and I felt very touched by their presence. The other members of the retreat and I took the opportunity to do our part to care for them as the community does. I did some energy work with them, and Melissa provided some treatment for eye infections and other issues common in outdoor cats. Others brought yummy morsels to the yoga hall during our practice, and when we went out to dinner, we'd save the fish and bones to feed to them.
While this connection might not immediately seem reciprocal, it truly is. A community that cares for its animals in this way also receives the comfort and spiritual healing that companioning with them provides. I found my connection with the island cats to be such a sweet reminder of the ways animals and humans can live in harmony with one another. We – and the creatures who become our companions – are social animals. Just like them, we have our packs: our friends and families, blood or chosen.
The crossover between “our” pack and “theirs” is something I’ve encountered in sessions with my clients many times as well. When I listen to their pets, I understand just how important they are to the cohesion of our families – and how important we are to them. They see us as part of their pack, and allow us to make them part of ours.
I’m sure I’ll have more to share about my experience in Greece over on my other blog, but I am truly grateful to have connected with the cats of Lesvos. I learned so much from these beautiful creatures, and from the people who have become part of their pack.
