Cherie the Korat Cat – In Memory. I’m writing this post just two days afer losing my beloved Cherie cat, quite suddenly, which was a huge shock
Coping with the Grief of Losing a Much-Loved Pet
Cherie Berry Cat 17/07/09 to 05/02/25
There are no words…..I’m utterly heartbroken. My Cherie went to sleep forever in the middle of the night and I don’t know what I’m going to do now……she was a much-loved member of the family, and after a very short illness of just 48 hours, she just faded away.
The house already seems empty and lonely without her, the empty cat bed and hammocks, as well as my great-grandmother’s rocking chair, are all stark reminders that’s she no longer here, in the physical sense.
17/07/2009 to 05/02/2025
Charunee aka Cherie my beloved Korat cat
Cherie was a shy but lovely soul, with her brilliant emerald green eyes, and silver-tipped velvet grey fur, she was a diminutive cat with a big personality, once you she got to know and trust you.
Typical of her breed, she was very vocal and also possessive of her human, which was me – she bonded with me immediately, my husband later on in her life.
She could be bossy, and demanding when she wanted you to play with her – but she was a mysterious, clever, playful, loving, gentle and very beautiful cat who was an integral part of our family.
She was definately a “lap cat” when play time was over, sleeping on our bed, and sitting on my lap EVERY night, again demanding I sit down, then “herding” me upstairs at 10pm to bed.
She loved “fishing’ games”, with a toy or a collection of feathers on the end of a string, but also chased to retrieve thrown soft toys as well, with a soft stuffed “chickie” being her favourite toy that she carried around the house.
She passed away on our bed, with me talking to her and stroking her, it was quick but such a shock. I was and I still am bereft, the grief continually coming in waves, as I try to carry on, cooking, writing, going shopping etc.
She will always be with me, in spirit and although many people say that animals don’t have a soul, I beg to differ, as she most definitely has a soul, which surrounds us and lives on in our home.
Tomorrow, before the Pussy Willow I ordered arrives, I will plant snow-white snowdrops that a friend dropped by for me today, to plant around her shared resting place (with Nina), so each year they will constantly remind me of her life, and Nina’s life too.
Cherie and Nina
On a cold Autumn day in 2013, I travelled to Nottinghamshire from London, where I was staying with my daughter, and collected two oriental cats, who were retired from breeding, and were being re-homed.
One was Nina, a Blue Burmese, and her companion, Cherie, a Korat, who came as a “Buy one get one Free”, as Nina’s constant companion.
Originally called Nana and Charunee on their pedigree certificates, we remaned and shortened their names to Nina and Cherie.
They both travelled back to SW France where I was living at the time, and lived with us there until we moved back to the UK in 2017.
In fact, they have both moved with us three times, and we all eventualy settled happily in the Lincolnshire Wolds in December of 2021.
As I write this in February 2025, the tears are streaming down my face, as I am still in deep shock at the sudden and unexpected death of Cherie, who passed away in the early hours of the 5th February.
It was almost one year since I lost Nina, who had terminal kidney failure in January 2024. I wrote about her diagnosis and life here: In Memory of Nina
Cherie Cat
And so it was, that just two days ago, on a spring-like late winter’s day, with our resident blackbird singing a joyful chorus, we buried her wrapped in a blanket at 12:45, (with her two favourite toys, a sprig of rosemary and a hellebore “winter rose”) by the holly hedge, and behind a climbing rose in the cottage garden.
We then sprinkled Nina’s ashes in with her, so they are together again at last. A temporary stepping stone was placed on top of her final resting place, and I’ve ordered a Pussy Willow, to either plant or to put on top of the stepping stone in a pot.
I placed a small posy of garden flowers on top, with 2 roses from a bouquet I was given, and secured them with a large river pebble.
It’s all been so sudden and my heart is breaking – but at least she’s in our cottage garden, in a sunny spot, which she would have loved being a sun worshipper.
How do you cope with the pain, it’s hard as you try to complete daily household tasks, work, but you really just go through the motions at first.
I think the best way to cope with the loss of much-loved pet, be it a dog or a cat, is to carry out small rituals which help…..such as looking at photos of them, indeed printing some favourite photos to go in frames.
If you are burying them in the garden, or sprinkling their ashes, make it meaningful with poems, music or even just thoughtful silence. Talk to them as if they are still here – I used sit down down on a garden chair and chat to “Willow” my deceased Burmese cat all the time many years ago, by her final resting place.
Plant flowers, bulbs or small shrubs on their graves, or maybe add a small garden ornament or statue to mark where they are buried. Even a large stone or an ornate stepping stone is a lovely idea.
It’s very personal I know, but I think allowing yourself to mourn and cry is healthy, as well as take time to be quiet, to be reflective – to think and remember.
I’m still going through the early stages of mourning – somthing I have been through many times before – it’s hard, and yet I know it will become easier.
Talk to friends and family, or call a Grief Centre that many animal charities have, such as Paws to Listen at Cats Protection in the UK.
As I have told my family, close friends, and people I know on social media of my loss, I have been overwhelmed with their kindness, support and complete understanding, which has helped enormously.
I hope this helps, if you have any other suggestions for me and my readers, PLEASE do leave a comment below.
It’s early days for me, but I am comforted that I can look out of the window and see there both Cherie and Nina’s final resting place is, in my cottage garden, Karen
Comfort Food and Treats for Bereavement
- Caramel Popcorn and Malteser Rocky Road
- Lincolnshire Sausage, Sage & Onion Pies
- Old-Fashioned Jam Tarts
Jean says
I am so sorry to hear this, and so sorry for you. We have been through this many times with cats and dogs and it never gets any easier.
When we lost our beloved cat Daisy because of a tumour when she was just nine years old we were devastated. Within days we heard about a cat of the same age called Yvonne that had been abandoned by her owner and took her in. It was not what we intended and getting her settled was so hard when we were still in shock. It was challenging and all-consuming, a difficult time for all of us including our dog, but we simply couldn’t leave Yvonne to an uncertain fate as nobody else wanted her and winter was coming. How could we look at her little face and say “we don’t want you either, it’s too soon”? She’s now very much part of the family and we are glad that it happened that way. No pet is replaceable, they all hold a special place in our hearts and we think of Daisy and miss her every day, she was unique, a star in her own universe. Yvonne is very different but just as adorable and we are so grateful that she came into our lives.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thank you so much Jean for your lovely and kind comments.
And thank you for telling me all about Daisy and Yvonne too…..at the moment as I’m very much in deep shock, I’m adamant that I don’t want another cat right now, as it’s too soon and it would feel as if I was replacing Cherie. However, if a similar situation arose with a cat who needed a home, I would do as you did, as I couldn’t see any animal homeless and living rough.
It’s still early days here – I still feel that awful, raw and all consuming pain – I think I still see her out of the corner of my eye too, and I have called her name many times in the morning, so she can have her Dreamies morning treat.
Thank you again for leaving such a lovely and helpful comment – and it’s lovely to see you, we used to be so much better many years ago at commenting on each others blogs, I do feel that our blog community has fragmented somewhat.
Karen
Karen Burns-Booth says
PS: if the ads annoy you – I saw your comment on Phil’s Strong as Soup, you can block them by using the ad blocker all platforms such as google etc offer!
I had to go over to the dark side as I needed the income, and it was costing a lot to self host my blog, what with anti-spam, hosting fees etc. I hated it at first and felt I had “sold out” but it has become a valuable and much needed source of income, especially as I had to wait for my state pension until last year, being a WASPI woman!
Jean says
I absolutely understand the need for doing it. The women’s state pension arrangements are just another scandal along with the post office and now the carer’s benefits debacle. People forget about them as time goes by, but not those that have to live with the consequences.
I have discovered that I can opt for “reader view” on my iPad and that gives an advert free version. In any case, I enjoy your blog enormously, the content and recipes are just my cup of tea.
Sonrisa Roulier says
Karen
Your kitty Cherie reminded me of my cat Lilly. Similar personality too. I cried for days. I went to a friend’s house in the mountains. I couldn’t bear being home. I something’s work with a rescue group and was adamant I would not get another cat. About a year a a half later two cats came to me for food. They were abandoned by their owners. I fed them for about 5 months outside. One day, one of them came inside and sat down on our couch. That was it. The other cat came in too and have been living with us for about a year and half. I’m really happy they made the decision for us.
Susan says
I send you much sympathy and love for the loss of your beautiful pussy cat . It’s something I and my husband have had to do several times . Never gets any easy. We all adore our cats . They can be a mystery but give a pussy cat love cherish her and feed her , and you have a friend for life . I do not have a cat now , after our last passed away , we now look after my sons big ginger cat when he and his parter go away .
I will continue to hold you in my heart , I know these are very early days. Be brave you gave Cherie so much love and a very happy home …… Susan North Yorkshire