After eleven years living, dancing, teaching tango, and writing in Buenos Aires, I came home to L.A. in 2014, where I'm reconstructing my life.

Monday, July 07, 2008

In Memory of Phoebe: the expat cat






1995-2008

Born in Los Angeles, lived in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, died today in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The best travel companion ever.

I couldn't have done it without you, sweet girl. Have a safe journey on the wings of angel kitties.

"Phoebe" means Goddess of the Moon in Greek, and now she is assuming her rightful role as queen of the stars.

Read more about Phoebe in Home is Where the Cat Is.


At home in Boedo.

28 comments:

NYC Tango Pilgrim said...

Cherie,

Sorry about your loss. Another dear friend of mine lost hers last week. July has been a month of lost Kitties.

Elizabeth Brinton said...

So sorry Cherie that you lost your little companion. Blessings to Phoebe in Kitty Heaven.

Anonymous said...

Oh Cherie. Just the thought of it made me all teary. My heart goes out to you.

n a n c y said...

You gave each other many good years of companionship and she helped you overcome homesickness in two different countries. She has been your best friend for many years. Cherish your memories and let the tears wash your sadness.

Hugs and love,
N

Unknown said...

poor little sweet phoebe kins. "its only me be-Phoe be!" i miss her already. poor mommy. you're so far away from me, its always been comforting to me that you had phoebe with you wherever you were. now she's with yasmeen. im gonna have hot molten lava coming out of my eyes when its sofi's time. i remember the day you got her. eyes so sweet. beautiful tiny torti. just wanting to go home with you. phoebe, i love you and miss you, and thanks for filling my moms heart with love for 13 years. mom, i love you and feel your pain. "IT'S ONLY ME-BE-PHOE-BE!!"

miss tango said...

I am so sorry Cherie, Big Besos.

Isabella Azul said...

Ooooh siento muy trieste ahora :(
Phoebe is the first and only real kitty I knew-ed. Phoebe also told mi mami that I was coming before I was born-ed. I know you will miss her mucho, mucho, mucho.

Besos grandes,
Isa

Marce said...

oh, Cherie, I´m sorry about your loss, it´s always terribly hard to lose such a dear friend, but you are totally right, you had 13 years together, and many adventures thrown in the mix, so you´ll always have all those moments to cherish.

Beatrice M said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Let me know if you want to come over and get cat cuddles from our boys. It's only Tuesday and this week needs a do over.

Anonymous said...

Oh my poor dear Cherie--I am sitting here at work crying. She was such a sweet and special companion. You must be devastated. It's always so very hard to loose our honey-pets, but the two of you have been through so much together and you are so far away from all of us. Day by day it will get better of course. We live so closely with them and their lovely habits are so much of our daily lives. I know how much sorrow you are in. love and peace......xoxon

Anonymous said...

OOHHH.



i am saddened as well.

i will always remember phoebe.

please don't blame yourself.

She led a very full life, accompanying you through the USA, Mex, and Arg.

I'm sure she knew she was loved by you.



my condolonces on your loss.

but now she's at peace.



nacho.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry . . . I cry with you. It is the saddest, hardest loss to
get through. They're so dear and so close to us. It's worse for me
than losing people, because they're so much a part of your life every
day, every night. They give you a reason to come home. I wish I was
there to give you a hug. Somehow, we have to find solice that we had
their love and their company for a time and try to be thankful for
that time, but the loss is wrenching. I'm glad I met Phoebe while I
was there and made some photos of her, and I'm glad you have Ruben
there and I'm glad she had you there with her. I wish you peace, Dear
Friend. Hugs . . . Gail

Anonymous said...

Oh Cherie, What a loss. A cat purrs its way into our heart then snuggles down for the long connection. I am so sorry your dear puddycat is gone.

Abrazos,
Christy

Anonymous said...

Dear Cherie,
Oh, I am so sorry, with the feelings open, as always being in the tango world, even tears get into my eyes thinking of the loss and sorrow that you must feel.
Warmest regards,
Margareta

Anonymous said...

I feel so very bad for you. It is so hard to let them go but it is for the best. You had a wonderful and, as I
recall, long time together for an animal - although even the longest time together seems short.
I'm dreading when that comes up for Daisy since she's a definite senior now.

I am truly sorry.

Best wishes,

Lynn

Anonymous said...

Oh Cherie,

I am so sorry. It is so hard losing a beloved pet. I will be
thinking of you and Ruben and Phoebe tomorrow

Much love,

Sheila

Anonymous said...

Dearest Cherie,
My heart goes out to you. I am so sorry. Love, Dee

Anonymous said...

Hola,
I know how much you loved her. Losing her is hard.
I wish you a gentle grief.
love,
Karla
ps If she could speak, she would understand what
you did wasn't to make her suffer and she wouldn't want you to feel guilty.

Anonymous said...

Poor little Phoebe :-( I sure adored that kitty for the short time that I knew her. Sending hugs your way, and sending hugs to Phoebe up in kitty heaven.

b said...

Wow, I had just run off to give my Zoe and Baggie tons of hugs and kisses after watching the Christian the Lion vid on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVNTdWbVBgc

Then I read your post and they had to go through it all over again.

That's a tough loss, C.

Anonymous said...

Cherie and Ruben
I am so sorry to learn of the loss of your little Phoebe.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and know she has a fine place in your heart and memories.
Love
Buzz

Anonymous said...

Dear Cherie,

I am very sorry to read about Phoebe from your blog.
As you have said, it is a very beautiful experience to be able to love and share your exciting life with Phoebe. I am sure she has enjoyed all travelings with you and is now happily exploring her next journey in the kitten's heaven filled with your love and blessings!

Love,
Vanessa

Sallycat said...

And I too want to send you my love in this moment Cherie. I have treasured cats in the past and I have lost them. I know it hurts.
Hugs, SC

Niki said...

Oh Cherie, I'm so sorry for your loss.

Anonymous said...

Siento mucho lo de Phoebe, pero tiene que suceder, en algun momento, entiendo como te sientes, a mi me ha sucedido anteriormente, con dos perros que queria mucho, ahora tengo al Oso, y se que si le pasara algo me sentiria super triste, se lo mucho que tu la querias y (ella) a ti. quiero que sepas que pienso en ti , siempre y hoy te mando mucho cariño
te quiero mucho Cherrie siempre has sido muy especial desde que nos conocimos. sabes que has sido importante en mi vida en muchos sentidos, me da mucha felicidad saberte mi amiga.
Besos y abrazos
Nelly isabel

Irene and Man Yung said...

Dear Cherie,

We are so sorry to hear of your loss of your beloved cat Phoebe. May she find joy at the end of the rainbow bridge. Our sympathies and thoughts are with you and Rueben,

Irene and Man Yung

tangocherie said...

My dearest friends, those who I know personally, and those who just took time to leave me a message, and also those who I don't know at all but who are out there feeling sad at the loss of a little sweet soul like Phoebe was.

Your good wishes really mean a lot to me, and help me feel better.
Thank you so much for sending such lovely thoughts my way at this tough time. Everything is so much harder far from "home." And we all need all the love we can get.

Big warm hugs to you all.

Anonymous said...

Cherie,
I am so sorry . I've had two cats (boys) since '95: Meshi (silk in Hebrew) and Shai-Li (my gift). Shai-Li just had his third operation to remove a cancerous growth. He's doing OK and I hope would not need any further intrusive interventions. I can so much understand the unique attachment and connection you have with Phoebe as well as the depth of the loss. Like a magnet, such loss stirs up and evoke earlier losses making the grieving process so intense (and painful). I trust you have Ruben's support as well as that of your friends.