"Lilo Lick", the cat with heart and spirit

The Story of Lilo: A Cat with Nine Lives—and the Heart of a Warrior 🖤 Meet Lilo

Every neighborhood has its legends. Some are loud and proud, others quiet and observant—watching, knowing, belonging in a way that’s hard to explain. On our little stretch of 23rd Street, that legend is Lilo.

We didn’t go looking for her. Like most of the best things in life, she found us.

It was 2015 when we bought our home, right here onThe Old West Side. Among all the changes—fresh paint, new keys, new beginnings—there was a quiet, mysterious presence across the street. The neighbors were moving out, and we heard whispers that they'd taken their cat with them. But as the days passed, we started noticing a skinny, frail little feline weaving through the shadows. Damp from the rain, bones sharp under a soaking coat, eyes wide with distrust—she was a ghost of herself, but unmistakably determined. She had made her way back. Not to people, but to place. To 23rd Street. Because this, somehow, still felt like home.

We’d later learn her name was Tikka—but by then, we were already calling her Lilo. Her return marked the beginning of a quiet transformation—for her, and for us.At first, Lilo wouldn’t come near. She was frightened, feral in her caution, and entirely independent. She weathered winter storms without shelter. We’d watch helplessly as she crouched in corners, too proud to accept help, too broken to trust. It took three long years—three years of slow, patient love—for her to let us close.

She came to us not as a pet, but as a survivor.

With time, food, soft words, and space, Lilo began to open her heart. There was no grand moment of surrender. No dramatic leap into our arms.  Just a slow unfolding—one purr, one cautious tail flick, one brave step at a time. She never asked for affection, but she earned it in every ounce of courage she showed us.

And now, years later, Lilo is not just our cat—she is our matriarch, our mascot, and our miracle.

She rules her corner of the neighborhood with grace and a touch of mystery. She’s a legend on the 1700 block of 23rd, known and loved by all who see her perched in the sun or strutting confidently along the block between 23rd and 24th. Unleashed, unhurried, and entirely on her own schedule (usually between 9 and 10pm), she gets her nightly walks in like clockwork. Lilo doesn’t follow rules—she sets the rhythm.

Inside, she’s become royalty. She lounges in her two high-rise cat condos like the queen she is. She has a soft spot for cat treats and can sniff one out from across the room. And if there’s a sunny spot in the house, you’ll find her there—eyes closed, chin high, basking in the warmth like she earned every golden ray. And truthfully, she has. She enjoys long naps and sitting by the window, watching the world go by with quiet curiosity.

She remains cautious around strangers, never forgetting the fight it took to survive. But with us? She is trust embodied. We earned each other. We built something slow and sacred. A bond not based on ownership, but on mutual respect.

And every day, we feel blessed—not that we found Lilo, but that Lilo chose to come back. That she returned to this street, this home, and in time, to our hearts.

She reminds us what it means to be resilient. To walk through storms and still stand tall. To know who you are, where you belong, and who is worthy of your love.

Lilo’s story is more than a story about a cat. It’s a reminder that healing takes time, that love must be earned, and that home is not always where you're born—it’s where your heart tells you to stay.

And for Lilo, that’s here. With us. On 23rd Street.

🐾 Want to Nominate a Beloved Pet?
If you know a furry, feathered, or scaled friend with a story that deserves to be shared, I’d love to hear it! Send your nomination and a little background to me at hello@homerealestateteam.com

Who knows—they might be our next neighborhood spotlight!

🏡 Your Local Real Estate Expert – Gena Graham

Hi friends, I’m Gena Graham, your go-to real estate expert serving Longview, Kalama, Ridgefield, Felida, Vancouver, and Camas. With a deep passion for our vibrant community and a commitment to excellence, I’m here to make your home buying and selling experience seamless.

✨ Whether you're selling your home or searching for your dream property, I'm here to guide you every step of the way.

Let’s Connect! 📧 Call or text 360-431-5773.

HOME real estate | GENA GRAHAM
Your Local Neighborhood Expert 🏞️