28 Comments
Oct 15, 2023Liked by Claire Berlinski

I am so sorry. Losing pets is hard and painful. And to lose both that close is just terrible. Grief sucks.

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You know, Claire, it’s all right. The love you gave and received is imperishable, at least as long as you live. I’m not a pet person, though at the age of seventy-four I’ve had my own losses. But those we’ve lost, human and otherwise, live on in us. There are times, for instance, when I overhear myself and think: Omygod, I sound just like my father! You’ll have similar, albeit cross-species, epiphanies. Anyhow, I’m sorry for your trouble. God rest their feline souls.

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Oct 14, 2023Liked by Claire Berlinski

“Grief is the price we pay for love”

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And man is it a heavy price.

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Oct 14, 2023Liked by Claire Berlinski

I am so sorry for you Claire.

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Oct 13, 2023Liked by Claire Berlinski

It never gets any easier to watch them go, but to lose a second when you're still grieving the first is a cruel blow.

Know that they were lucky to have you, as you were lucky to have them.

Investing ourselves in these small lives, particularly for those of us who are childless (by choice or not), marks out our time in cycles of joy and heartbreak, and we push our knowledge of the latter down for as long as we can in order to hold onto the former. The joy far outweighs the heartbreak, but that's small consolation when the heartbreak comes.

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I’m so very sorry.

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Oct 13, 2023Liked by Claire Berlinski

I am so sad for your loss of two indescribably dear friends - such reliable support beyond words. And they were a bridge to your life in Istanbul. I will spend extra time with our four dear cats today, mourning your losses.

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Oh, Claire. I'm so, so sorry. I grieve with you.

That's such bad timing. I'm here, and still well enough to work some - please tell me if there's anything I can do to make things easier in the coming days. I know they will be long.

Every time I've lost a pet I've found that the grief makes it easier for me to also grieve other, even larger losses. My pets have healed me in life, and in death. I pray they do the same for you as you grieve (as we all grieve!) the atrocities in Israel.

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Oct 13, 2023Liked by Claire Berlinski

A personal blow in the midst of the mess in the world. How terrible. This is so sad, I'm at a loss for words. Be well, Claire.

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Oct 13, 2023Liked by Claire Berlinski

Oh no, Claire! Please disregard the message on yesterday’s post and accept my repeated condolences. At least Zeki and Suley are playing and chasing mice and not hurting anymore in kitty heaven.

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So sorry, Claire. We have a pair of littermates like that, who have never been apart for more than an hour or two of their lives. I can hardly imagine one without the other, and it breaks my heart to try. Best wishes and thank you for everything you share with us, very much including cat tales and heartache.

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Oct 13, 2023Liked by Rachel motte, Claire Berlinski

You gave them everything, Claire. Suley would only leave if he was sure you’d be okay. 💞

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Oct 13, 2023Liked by Claire Berlinski

pax et amor

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Oct 13, 2023Liked by Claire Berlinski

This is the litter you moved to Paris from Turkey, yes? What an amazing adventure and undertaking. They will all remain in your heart as the litter you rescued. What a beautiful cat companion you have been. Your grief touches us all. I wish you a gentle healing 💜

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Yes, I moved them with the help of my brother and my Istanbul friends. Thank you for this kind note.

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I'm so sorry to hear this Claire - at any time it would be awful but this week seems so much worse. :(

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It's like being kicked in the face, then punched in the gut, then kicked in the face again for good measure.

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Oct 13, 2023Liked by Claire Berlinski

So so sorry to hear this. Grieving with you but warmed by the thought of the life you gave them.

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