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 as usual, but you just got 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
