Farewell to Cookie, 2008 – 2023
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on August 6, 2024
I don’t want to tell you this because I don’t want it to be true, but we said goodbye to my beloved Cookie last week. Her smile and spunk lit up my days for over thirteen years and I miss her terribly. Thirteen years! I am the luckiest, and what I would give for more.
Cookie was my sidekick, my frontman, my best friend, my real-life teddy bear, my soul pup. As long as Cookie was there, I was never alone. I can almost feel her snuggled up by my side now. Cookie got me through the darkest of days and brightened the best. She kept me company through countless long days and long nights as we built this website from scratch. She taste tested nearly every recipe, too, whether I wanted her to or not.
In her earlier years, Cookie had a terrifying tendency to shoot out the front door like a rocket, which inspired immense gratitude for every day that we got together. Then she received a terminal cancer diagnosis, lymphoma, and defied the odds by living another two-and-a-half years. I always dreamed of taking care of her in her old age, and that’s what I got to do. Over the past year, she lost her hearing and her health declined, which felt more difficult and complicated than I ever anticipated. She died of old age, and while I’ll always wonder if I made the right decisions every step of the way, I am finding some peace and comfort in knowing that we spent all of her best days together. A dog could not have been more loved.
Cookie came into my life at the perfect moment, when I was fresh out of college and learning to live on my own. She walked with me all the way to marriage and motherhood. She left me exactly where I want to be in my upper thirties, with my loving husband and our baby girl. My heart is so full and so broken at the same time.
Cookie was extraordinary and so was our bond. I spent much of our time together wishing for what I have now, yet I’m feeling so sentimental about our special time together as Cookie and Kate. May this be your gentle reminder to appreciate what you have when you have it.
Thank you for cooking along with us and for finding joy in her antics. I’ll be back soon to share more photos and some of my favorite Cookie memories with you. She was truly the greatest.
Good Morning Kate, I am so sad to hear about Cookie’s passing. I felt like she was in the kitchen with me every time I opened your cookbook and made one of your delicious recipes. My three boys, who are away at college now, spent many evenings in the kitchen with me and we enjoyed cooking together. They still make their favorite dishes: enchiladas, chili, lasagna, tikka masala, fettuccini Alfredo, along with recipes from your online blog. (If they’re not sure about how to prepare something, they text me with questions.) Tonight, in honor of Cookie, I’m going to make Roasted Carrots with Farro, Chickpeas, and Herbed Tahini Sauce. I’ve never made it, but I have all the ingredients. We will remember Cookie with fondness. Enjoy motherhood. It’s hard at times, but fun and rewarding. The days go by too fast. With Love and Hugs, Sabrina
Hello very sad news, my sympathies for your loss
Losing a pet is more difficult than we can ever imagine. Sending you love and gratitude for a beautiful relationship.
Dear Kate, I’ve had the fortunate experience of watching you grow with your food blog for years. Along the way I also felt the presence of Cookie with you, as you discovered and shared your passion for creating wonderful, nourishing and fun recipes. I also felt sadness when you shared at one point during this journey that Cookie was starting to feel her age. Having loved and cared for my own furry friends, from the beginning of their lives to the very end, its so very hard to let them finally go from this earthly life…..as I once read somewhere that from the day you bring a pet home, you sign up for the sorrow you will have the day you let them go. As a dog lover you are, you made that choice knowing that the love and companionship you would share with Cookie would be all worth it! May she always be remembered in your heart….With much empathy and sorrow, Farewell to a very well loved Cookie!
Thank you for your kind words, Claudia.
Just wanted to send my condolences on the loss of your dear sweet Cookie. Our fur babies are a special part of our lives and I truly understand how you feel. Try to remember all the fun times you had with her by your side and know she was a very lucky pup to have found such a loving home.
Big hugs to you!
I truly feel your loss. Losing our furry family, especially through age is difficult yet rewarding as you expressed.
We lost our last beloved pet to a mystery. Although she was still young and very active she passed in less than 30 secs from a mystery “illness”. Because she had no history of heart or related afflictions, the vet was convinced she most likely suffered a heart or stroke related death…immediate and without a history. She was the most loving, energetic clown that loved all people. It’s been a little over a year and I still miss her. My loving daughters found a statue of a reclining dog that favored her image. It reposes in our garden much as HONEY did when living.
I’m so sorry to hear about Cookie. You gave her a lifetime of love, and that’s the best gift anyone can give. ((hugs))
Oh, Kate, I’m so very sorry for your loss. I’ve fallen off the wagon for a few years so I’m really happy to learn that you’ve got a beautiful family now, but I know you’ll miss Cookie every day. All the best.
Hey, I never comment, but I feel compelled. I’m a big fan and use your recipes all the time. I also lost my cat Otis who was the exact same age as Cookie in February. I still have my 15-year-old dog Lucy and I cherish every day we have. Losing a loved pet is brutal as they are always there, loyal, loving and constant. Hang in there. The grief changes to more and more gratitude with time.
What a beautiful tribute to your sweet pup, Cookie. Your story mirrors so much of my own and the love I have for my aging Pekingese, Annie, that I felt compelled to reach out. I hope that you can find comfort in your loss with all of the beautiful memories that you and Cookie shared. My deepest condolences to you, Kate.
I love your recipes, so sorry to hear about your beloved Cookie. ❤️
Hi Kate,
There are no words to express my heartfelt sadness reading this article. I too have shared extraordinary bonds with my beloved pups. Your gentle reminder of enjoying them while you can, makes me look at my new rescue pup and realize I need to do just that. Cookie will always be a part of you. Their souls remain in ours until we walk over the Rainbow Bridge to join them again.
My thoughts are with you, Karin
Lots of love
To Kate: I am just so sorry that you are now without your beloved Cookie. I am very, very thankful that Cookie had you for her companion, soulmate, and caregiver; living her days submersed in your love.
I’m so sorry for your loss of your sweet dog. What a beautiful tribute to her. Just yesterday I made your lentil soup and it was delicious. Thank you.
I am so sorry for your loss of your sidekick Cookie. You were both lucky to have had each other.
I’m so sorry. Animals truly are the greatest and we are so lucky to be able to love them, and be loved by them.
Cookie was so loved and you were blessed to have each other for so many years. I am so sorry for your loss. I have now lost two beloved dogs and I still think of them daily, but now I can smile when I remember them. I am in love with our newer dog now and I remember to be present and enjoy him as long as I will have him. RIP, dear Cookie.
I was very sad to hear this and am very, very sorry. Our pets have such a significant impact on our lives.
Dear Kate:
I am so sad for you. I have a dog who is also has gotten me through some really difficult times. I understand how heart broken you must been.
Sending hugs to you
Rachel
I’m so sorry for your loss. ❤️
I’m so very sorry to be reading this
Your blog is literally the only food blog I’ve followed regularly for years -my family have enjoyed your recipes so much we even named our dog after your Cookie.
Sending you much love in this hard time
How wonderful your time with Cookie. Thank you for sharing some of her with us. And she lives on in your wonderful recipes and site. Sending love.
Dear Kate, what a beautiful love and farewell letter… You could not have written more sincerely and deeply. I am currently in mourning myself and really feel you.
You were so lucky to spend those years by her side, and she was so lucky to have you as her wonderful friend…
Warmest thoughts,
Nathalie
What a beautiful tribute. My sincere condolences on the loss of your best friend cookie.
Peggy
so sad for your lost dear Kate,
may your fond memories linger as you grieve.
i too am a dog lover. cookie was truly loved by you and cookie knew that down deep in dog soul!!
from the depths of my heart i extend my thoughts and prayers to you.
lol linda collins, victoria, bc, canada
written with my recently broken left wrist !!
Such a sweet farewell to Cookie. My heartfelt condolences go out to you, Kate. It’s so hard to say goodbye to such a loyal friend! What a good life you lived together.
Julie
What a beautiful tribute. I’m so sorry for your loss, Kate.
Sending you hugs and healing thoughts. It’s so hard to lose our fur babies!
I am terribly sorry for your loss of Cookie I too lost my sweet black lab Jake, 14 years old+ recently. How sweet to know they are together in heaven because we all know all dogs go to heaven, thank you Jesus. I hope you find comfort and peace during this difficult time. I too will miss Cookie, what a beautiful doggie xo
Very sorry to hear about Cookie. I’ve been there before as well and it’s very difficult. Just remember the fun stuff you did together and hang in there.
A beautiful tribute to a very special dog. Sending you my condolences. Our furry friends are so very central to our well being and there really isn’t a bond that compares. Cookie was fortunate to have lived with so much love.
Oh, Kate, my heart goes out to you and your family on the loss of Cookie. I feel for you. I fear I’m not too far behind you in experiencing the same loss you’re facing now.
I’m so sorry to read that Cookie has passed away. It was quite evident that she was a prominent part of your life. You must not feel any regrets for having her euthanized because it was the kindest, most humane thing to do to end her suffering. I had to do the same for two of my dogs, and I understand the feelings of grief and guilt that can overtake you after they are gone. But you can feel comfort in knowing it was the right thing to do and that Cookie surely knew the love you had for her. My sincerest condolence goes out to you. We will all miss Cookie.
Dear kate. I truly understand your grief now, loosing a dog who walked your lifepath during important years of you life. I just lost a dog s few days, under awful circumstances. Can understan a bit of you grief, bon courage, anna, france ( a big fan of you ( and cookie)
thank you for your post, bc my dog left us too. I couldnt figure out exactly how to let others know, and your post has shown me what to write.
My dog had such a funny face, he made me laugh at him everyday, and I mean that literally. when it was time to go to the beach, his eyes would bug out so wide that there were round rings of white surrounding his dark eyes.
He truly had a wonderful life as I am positive that Cookie did too.
we are Blessed.
~Diane
I am so sorry to hear about Cookie. Our family said goodbye to both of our old dogs in the past 2 years and we truly understand your love for and sadness at the loss of Cookie. She was a great addition to your blog and cookbook.
Kate, I am so sorry to hear that Cookie has died. We have coddled old cats through their final days, and then had to decide when their pain was much more than our gain for having them around. It’s very hard to play God, but we have to, when we take on the care of an animal friend, another sentient being, who is completely reliant on us. I am glad for you that she saw you through the book, the wedding, and becoming a mother. She probably thought it was safe to let you proceed without her, now that you have a husband and a little girl. What a great dog. Meredith
So sorry you lost your beloved cookie, I know firsthand the hurt and sadness this causes. Wishing you peace with your wonderful memories, and hoping you heal. Grab your family for hugs as often as necessary. Much Love, mare
Hi Kate, I know so well how you feel. I lost my little Maggie in 2019 (she was 14!) and a light went out of my life. I miss her so much now, and everyday. I’m glad you had Cookie, and that Cookie had you. Take good care. Jade
I’m so sorry for the loss of Cookie; I’m happy you had her in your life for as long as you did and shared such a tender loving relationship with her.
❤️Christy and 14 year old Oliver
Oh Kate –
I’m so sorry for the loss of your beloved companion, Cookie! I know your pain. Our dogs are worth every tear we shed.
May your memories fill your heart with a smile.
Your friend and fan, Liz
I’m sorry for your loss. Being a dog lover, I know how hard it is to say goodbye, because they are family and they are always there for you no matter how you feel. There is a terrible feeling everyday when they are not there. So I believe that they are missing you as much as you are missing them.
Very sorry for your loss, I wish I could say I didn’t understand your pain unfortunately I have had many beloved pets that are sadly no longer with me wish you all the best going forward
Sincere condolences to you
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. It’s hard to get over our pets leaving us. He will be on the other side on the bridge waiting for you.
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Warm Regards,
Donna Davis
I am so sorry for your loss. I am already afraid when my dog Phoebe will die. She is already 6 years old. There is just not enough time.
You are my first choice when I am looking for a new recipe.
I am so sorry to hear this news. The pain of losing a dog is palpable and the void is enormous.I hope you are able to give yourself time to grieve. The recipes can wait.
Sending my deepest sympathy.
I’m so sorry to hear this! It’s always difficult to lose one we love. Remember the good times. Sending you and Cookie my thoughts from Virginia.
Ugh I couldn’t read this without crying. Cookie was truly so special and so beautiful. It’s never long enough to have a fur babies here with us on earth because they are family..the only thing that brings me comfort in this situation is knowing you had the honor or having them in your life. The pain now doesn’t compare to the company, Joy and laugher all the years they gave us.