What This Maine Couple Did For Their Neighborhood Stray Cat Will Melt Your Heart
Danica and Chris kept spotting a gorgeous black stray cat wandering around their yard, and at first, they just wanted to make sure he had something to eat and drink.
But that simple act of kindness quickly turned into something much bigger.
What started as a few bowls of food under a tree soon turned into a full-on mission to give him a warm place for the winter.
And of course, since these two love a good DIY project, they went all out. They began building a stylish little winter home for the neighborhood’s beloved stray, Fat Billy.
Here’s how it all unfolded!
Danica and Chris had been familiar with Fat Billy for a few years. Everyone in the neighborhood knew this handsome black cat, quiet, wary, and very much a loner.
No matter how hard they tried, neither Danica nor Chris could ever get close to him. Fat Billy made it clear he preferred keeping his distance from people.
So Danica, wanting to help in any way she could, did the only thing he’d allow: slip some food and fresh water under the tree while he wasn’t around.
Even though it was clear Fat Billy wasn’t missing any meals (his nickname says it all), Danica still wanted to make sure he always had something to eat.
Once he figured out that this couple was the source of the free food, he began showing up in their yard more frequently.
But as winter crept in and the temperatures started dropping, Danica became concerned about her new four-legged visitor.
Even though Fat Billy had pretty much claimed their yard as his territory, he still wasn’t letting anyone get too close.
Bringing him inside wasn’t an option, not with how cautious he was.
So Danica came up with a genius idea: she’d build Fat Billy his own little house!
At first, her husband Chris At first, her husband Chris wasn’t exactly thrilled. He thought the whole thing was unnecessary. But eventually, he gave in.
Her original plan was simple: a plastic bin filled with straw, just something warm to help him get through the winter. But Chris had other ideas. He said in a YouTube video:
“If we’re gonna do this, we’re gonna do it right! We’re gonna build a nice cedar shake cabin for him, and it’s gonna be amazing!”
And with that, the two dove into the project. They sketched out plans and started building an insulated cat cabin using leftover materials they already had.
The best part? Since both of them work in interior design, making a tiny house for a stray cat was totally their kind of project.
It took them about a week, and the final result looked incredible. Once the house was placed in the yard, all they could do was wait and hope Fat Billy approved.
Danica knew that throwing a brand-new house next to his feeding spot might overwhelm a skittish guy like him. He needed time, and she respected that. As she explained:
“It took about four days before we noticed Fat Billy come back, and it took another few days (along with the help of some wet food inside the house) before we enticed him to go inside!”
But as the video shows, he absolutely loves his new place. And honestly? It’s heart-melting.
Fat Billy may finally have a cozy winter home, but Danica and Chris are dreaming even bigger. They hope to earn his full trust one day and eventually get him into a forever home.
Until then, they’ll keep caring for him, and their favorite stray will keep showing his appreciation, from a comfortable and safe distance.
