John Wick

On March 22, 2022, a cat named Baldwin appeared on Little Wanderers NYC’s page — a scrappy tomcat surviving on the rooftops and streets of West Harlem. His post described him as “pretty friendly but badly injured.” Thankfully, a compassionate rescuer known as HarlemKittieChick stepped in to save him.

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Baldwin’s story caught the attention of many, and soon, a chain of kindness began. With the help of donors, volunteers, and a ride out of the city, Baldwin made it to a vet in Connecticut to start his healing journey. Just two months later, he and another rescued cat, Tawny, made their way north to Vermont — to their forever family.

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When they arrived, my five-year-old son lovingly renamed Tawny to “Cuddles”, and my husband gave Baldwin a name that fit his survivor spirit perfectly: “John Wick.” To me, he’s always been John, Johnny, or JW — the name depends on the day.

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After their confinement period ended, John’s curiosity got the best of him, and on June 11, 2022, he slipped away. My heart dropped. I posted everywhere — PawBoost, Facebook, Instagram — and filled the neighborhood with flyers. Weeks passed with no sign of him.

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Then, on July 1st, a neighbor posted that a handsome gray cat had been hunting frogs by the pond — it was him! My resilient city boy had become a Vermont wilderness explorer. I set the trap, held my breath, and soon after, he was home again.

Back in confinement, John began to slowly trust again. He’d let me pet him sometimes before remembering his wild instincts and giving me a gentle swat to remind me he was still part street cat. I wrestled with the idea of rehoming him — he had so much indoor potential — but his bond with Cuddles was unbreakable. They were a pair, always together.

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Then tragedy struck. We lost Cuddles to a heartbreaking incident, and my world shattered. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing John too, so I brought him inside for good.

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It’s been a while now, and John is transforming before my eyes. He’s brave, curious, letting my son pet him, curling up on my bed, and even bonding with our dog. He and I are healing side by side — two hearts finding comfort in one another’s quiet strength.

Unfortunately, my husband is allergic, so John will soon move to my mother’s home — a peaceful place with a screened-in breezeway and another former stray who will surely welcome him.

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John Wick’s story is proof of what can happen when people come together — rescuers, donors, fosters, and adopters — all playing a part in one animal’s journey from survival to love. He’s a living reminder that every act of compassion ripples outward, connecting humans and animals in ways that change all of us for the better.