Cherie the Korat Cat – In Reminiscence

Cherie the Korat Cat – In Reminiscence. I’m penning this submit simply two days afer shedding my beloved Cherie cat, fairly all of a sudden, which was an enormous shock

Dealing with the Grief of Shedding 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 ceaselessly in the course of the night time 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 a giant 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 afterward 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 night time, once more demanding I sit down, then “herding” me upstairs at 10pm to mattress.

She cherished “fishing’ video games”, with a toy or a set of feathers on the top of a string, but in addition chased to retrieve thrown comfortable toys as nicely, with a comfortable 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 regularly coming in waves, as I attempt to stick with it, cooking, writing, going purchasing and so on.

She is going to at all times be with me, in spirit and though many individuals say that animals don’t have a soul, I encourage to vary, as she most positively 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} pal dropped by for me at present, to plant round her shared resting place (with Nina), so annually they are going to continuously 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.

In reality, 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 surprising demise of Cherie, who handed away within the early hours of the fifth February.

It was nearly one yr since I misplaced Nina, who had terminal kidney failure in January 2024. I wrote about her analysis 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 eventually. A brief stepping stone was positioned on high of her remaining 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 at the least she’s in our cottage backyard, in a sunny spot, which she would have cherished being a solar worshipper.

How do you address the ache, it’s exhausting as you attempt to full day by day family duties, work, however you actually simply undergo the motions at first.

I believe the easiest way to deal with the lack of much-loved pet, be it a canine or a cat, is to hold out small rituals which assist…..equivalent to taking a look at pictures of them, certainly printing some favorite pictures to go in frames.

If you’re burying them within the backyard, or sprinkling their ashes, make it significant with poems, music and even simply considerate silence. Speak 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 remaining resting place.

Plant flowers, bulbs or small shrubs on their graves, or perhaps 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 stunning concept.

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 bear in mind.

I’m nonetheless going by the early phases of mourning – somthing I’ve been by many instances earlier than – it’s exhausting, and but I do know it’ll turn out to be simpler.

Speak to family and friends, or name a Grief Centre that many animal charities have, equivalent to Paws to Hear at Cats Safety within the UK.

As I’ve advised my household, shut associates, and folks 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, if in case you have every other options for me and my readers, PLEASE do depart 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 remaining resting place is, in my cottage backyard, Karen

Consolation Meals and Treats for Bereavement