Cherie the Korat Cat – In Reminiscence. I’m penning this put up simply two days afer shedding my beloved Cherie cat, fairly immediately, which was an enormous shock
Dealing with the Grief of Dropping a A lot-Beloved Pet
Cherie Berry Cat 17/07/09 to 05/02/25
There aren’t any phrases…..I’m totally heartbroken. My Cherie went to sleep eternally in the midst of the evening and I don’t know what I’m going to do now……she was a much-loved member of the household, and after a really quick sickness of simply 48 hours, she simply light away.
The home already appears empty and lonely with out her, the empty cat mattress and hammocks, in addition to my great-grandmother’s rocking chair, are all stark reminders that’s she now not right here, within the bodily sense.
17/07/2009 to 05/02/2025
Charunee aka Cherie my beloved Korat cat
Cherie was a shy however beautiful soul, together with her good emerald inexperienced eyes, and silver-tipped velvet gray fur, she was a diminutive cat with an enormous character, when you she acquired to know and belief you.
Typical of her breed, she was very vocal and likewise possessive of her human, which was me – she bonded with me instantly, my husband in a while in her life.
She could possibly be bossy, and demanding when she wished you to play together with her – however she was a mysterious, intelligent, playful, loving, light and really stunning cat who was an integral a part of our household.
She was definately a “lap cat” when play time was over, sleeping on our mattress, and sitting on my lap EVERY evening, once more demanding I sit down, then “herding” me upstairs at 10pm to mattress.
She cherished “fishing’ video games”, with a toy or a group of feathers on the tip of a string, but in addition chased to retrieve thrown smooth toys as effectively, with a smooth stuffed “chickie” being her favorite toy that she carried round the home.
She handed away on our mattress, with me speaking to her and stroking her, it was fast however such a shock. I used to be and I nonetheless am bereft, the grief frequently coming in waves, as I attempt to stick with it, cooking, writing, going purchasing and many others.
She is going to all the time be with me, in spirit and though many individuals say that animals don’t have a soul, I encourage to vary, as she most undoubtedly has a soul, which surrounds us and lives on in our dwelling.
Tomorrow, earlier than the Pussy Willow I ordered arrives, I’ll plant snow-white snowdrops {that a} good friend dropped by for me right now, to plant round her shared resting place (with Nina), so annually they are going to always remind me of her life, and Nina’s life too.
Cherie and Nina
On a chilly Autumn day in 2013, I travelled to Nottinghamshire from London, the place I used to be staying with my daughter, and picked up two oriental cats, who have been retired from breeding, and have been being re-homed.
One was Nina, a Blue Burmese, and her companion, Cherie, a Korat, who got here as a “Purchase one get one Free”, as Nina’s fixed companion.
Initially known as Nana and Charunee on their pedigree certificates, we remaned and shortened their names to Nina and Cherie.
They each travelled again to SW France the place I used to be dwelling on the time, and lived with us there till we moved again to the UK in 2017.
The truth is, they’ve each moved with us 3 times, and all of us eventualy settled fortunately within the Lincolnshire Wolds in December of 2021.
As I write this in February 2025, the tears are streaming down my face, as I’m nonetheless in deep shock on the sudden and sudden loss of life of Cherie, who handed away within the early hours of the fifth February.
It was nearly one 12 months since I misplaced Nina, who had terminal kidney failure in January 2024. I wrote about her prognosis and life right here: In Reminiscence of Nina
Cherie Cat
And so it was, that simply two days in the past, on a spring-like late winter’s day, with our resident blackbird singing a joyful refrain, we buried her wrapped in a blanket at 12:45, (together with her two favorite toys, a sprig of rosemary and a hellebore “winter rose”) by the holly hedge, and behind a climbing rose within the cottage backyard.
We then sprinkled Nina’s ashes in together with her, so they’re collectively once more ultimately. A short lived stepping stone was positioned on high of her ultimate resting place, and I’ve ordered a Pussy Willow, to both plant or to placed on high of the stepping stone in a pot.
I positioned a small posy of backyard flowers on high, with 2 roses from a bouquet I used to be given, and secured them with a big river pebble.
It’s all been so sudden and my coronary heart is breaking – however no less than she’s in our cottage backyard, in a sunny spot, which she would have cherished being a solar worshipper.
How do you deal with the ache, it’s onerous as you attempt to full day by day family duties, work, however you actually simply undergo the motions at first.
I believe one of the best ways to deal with the lack of much-loved pet, be it a canine or a cat, is to hold out small rituals which assist…..corresponding to pictures of them, certainly printing some favorite pictures to go in frames.
In case you are burying them within the backyard, or sprinkling their ashes, make it significant with poems, music and even simply considerate silence. Discuss to them as if they’re nonetheless right here – I used sit down down on a backyard chair and chat to “Willow” my deceased Burmese cat on a regular basis a few years in the past, by her ultimate resting place.
Plant flowers, bulbs or small shrubs on their graves, or possibly add a small backyard decoration or statue to mark the place they’re buried. Even a big stone or an ornate stepping stone is a beautiful thought.
It’s very private I do know, however I believe permitting your self to mourn and cry is wholesome, in addition to take time to be quiet, to be reflective – to assume and keep in mind.
I’m nonetheless going by means of the early levels of mourning – somthing I’ve been by means of many occasions earlier than – it’s onerous, and but I do know it is going to turn out to be simpler.
Discuss to family and friends, or name a Grief Centre that many animal charities have, corresponding to Paws to Listen at Cats Safety within the UK.
As I’ve advised my household, shut associates, and other people I do know on social media of my loss, I’ve been overwhelmed with their kindness, help and full understanding, which has helped enormously.
I hope this helps, in case you have every other strategies for me and my readers, PLEASE do go away a remark under.
It’s early days for me, however I’m comforted that I can look out of the window and see there each Cherie and Nina’s ultimate resting place is, in my cottage backyard, Karen
Consolation Meals and Treats for Bereavement
