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.
I’m so sorry to hear about Cookie, Kate. Thank you for sharing your story of love, laughter and finally heartbreak. The way that these furry little beings ingrain themselves in our lives is a blessed miracle to say the very least! Hugs to you.
Kate,
You wrote a wonderful tribute to Cookie. Thanks to your love and care you gave her a good long and happy life, even with her illness.
Truly sorry for your loss. It may be a part of life, but it never gets any easier!
Dear Kate,
I feel your pain. My dog Lucy is almost twelve and although she is very healthy, I woory about the day I may have to make a decision as I did with my old std poodle. Still I am now eighty seven, so who knows which of us will go first.
Still using your recipes and your book.
I was wondering how you and family are.
cheers
June
Sending heartfelt condolences to you and your family upon this great loss. Whenever my nose is in your cookbook (which is often), I’m thinking of Cookie, and simultaneously my dog, Susie, another gray cattledog/aussie whose usually underfoot. Our thoughts are with you.
My deepest sympathy to you, Kate. Your beautiful tribute touched my dog-loving heart, and I am holding you there today. Cookie sure had a good life with you.
I am very sorry for your loss, Kate. Your post was a beautiful tribute to Cookie, who sure sounds like an amazing dog, companion, and friend.
Hang in there!!
Wendy from Wisconsin (and Teddy, the poodle who occasionally gets to taste some of your amazing recipes)
Deepest sympathy on losing your best friend. I know what it’s like losing a dog. I found getting a new dog kept my previous dog[Edwina) spirit alive through her. She listens to all the experiences we had with her furry sister.
Again condolences.
Sami and family
It’s so hard no matter what. But you gave Cookie a beautiful life, and your love for her came through. Take care.
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute.
Very sorry for your loss ❤️
A blessing to be able to take care of an older dog. My big Newfoundland lived to one month short of 16….. crazy.. He was deaf too … some of my happiest days.
Take care
Dearest Kate,
My heart goes out to you for the loss of your beloved Cookie…
I framed a photo of our little Eh!Me! when she passed. Below it, I put a quote that a friend sent to me in a card. The quote is from A. Milne, “How lucky I am to have had something that makes saying goodbye so hard…” This reflects your relationship with Cookie too.
Thinking of you,
Louise
What a gift your sweet Cookie was. I am so very sorry for the loss your beloved companion. May the memory of her always warm you and fill you with gratitude.
I’m so, so sorry for your loss. We are never prepared to lose our beloved pups – or other pets.
I’m so very sorry for the loss of your friend and companion. For such small creatures, they leave huge holes in our hearts and lives when they leave us.
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your amazing side kick and friend,Cookie.
I loved seeing all the pictures of her with you.
Thank you for sharing a little of that special bond with all of us who enjoy your recipes, blogs and posts.
A beautiful tribute to your amazing companion. Those of us who have loved and lost dogs can identify.
What a beautiful to a close and loyal friend. I’m so sorry for your loss. Cookie had a life full of love and joy!
So very sorry for your loss. Our pups are a part of us. Big hug
I’m so sorry to hear this sad news about Cookie, Kate. I lost one of my precious Chihuahua babies in December, so I can empathize. We are so lucky to have had them in our lives, but our hearts will forever ache for them. I know she’ll be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge. (((HUGS))) to you and your family.
Hugs, it is hard.
I am so sorry for your loss of Cookie.
I’m so sorry for your loss. It is never easy to lose a beloved pet – no matter how many times you make the hard decision. I look forward to your stories and recipes. Thank you for sharing.
Oh Kate, I’m so sorry for this terrible loss. I know how important Cookie was (and is) to you. Take your time, heal. And then, let another dog find you.
Sending light and love. m
I am sorry to hear this Kate. Loosing a dog is like loosing a family member. May the wonderful memories brighten your days soon.
So sorry to hear of Cookie’s passing. It is the very worst part of sharing life with our furry friends. I know it isn’t really possible, but try to focus on all the years of loving companionship you enjoyed with Cookie. My heartfelt condolences–
My guess is Cookie is bounding over lush fields and through sparkling springs, tagging along with my dogs up there! You were gifts to each other and so wonderful you had each other in your lives!
I am so sorry for you. Dear Cookie. You have put into words exactly how I have felt, and what we should all feel, when our ‘companion, best friend, and the one who always gives us unconditional love and support’, is no longer in our lives. I like to think that Cookie has been able to leave you knowing that you are happy and have family who will love you and look after you for her. xx
You gave her an extraordinary loving home .One fortunate animal, in return she gave you her best . Be happy you had all those years . Only tears of joy should fall .
Deepest sympathy ,
Ken
Dear Kate,
Sending love and courage for the loss of your Cookie.
Peace,
Silvia
Kate
My heart hurts for you sadly knowing what you’re going through.
I hope the great memories take over the heartbreak really soon.
I’m so very sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful girl and so very loved. Dogs really are angels on earth and I wish we could have them with us longer.
I’m so very sorry. You and Cookie have been a tasteful part of my life since I happened upon your website several years ago and I have enjoyed getting to know both of you. Pets should become family and I’m so glad that Cookie did for you. God’s Blessings to you.
I’m so sorry to hear about Cookie. I have followed the two of you for years and many of your recipes are now family favorites. I can only imagine how hard it is to be without Cookie. I have an elderly girl that seems to age more and more each day. I know our days are limited so I’m hanging on to each moment and making sure every day is a happy one.
Be sure to look up at the stars. There will be a new star in the sky name Cookie!
Such beautiful words for your sweet Cookie and wise words to live by. What a sweet life to live together. May she live forever in your memories.
I am so sorry to learn of this. Peace & kindness to you.
So sorry Kate. Your heart aches so much because you loved Cookie so much. You gave her a wonderful life, hope you take solace in that too xxxx
I read your post about Cookie with great sadness. My heart goes out to you. I am glad to have “met” Cookie through your website, and your social media posts and newsletters. Cookie brought a smile to my face so many times. Wishing you peace and sweet memories.
One of the many reasons I love your blog/cookbook was your connection to your beautiful lil Cookie. I cried when I read your post this morning. I too had to say goodbye to my beloved pet Cochise this year. Your remembrance of her is so special, who knew when we picked them that they would be all of those things and much, much more.Thank goodness for all the wonderful memories you have of her.
Bless her furr bodied soul.
I’m so sorry to hear this news. Cookie was truly a legend! She holds a special place in my memory! So happy for the time you got to have with her.
Kate I’m so very sorry for your deep loss. She’ll always be with you in your heart.
I am so sorry! Losing a beloved dog is such a harsh blow. They are so ingrained in our lives, and no one can really understand the wonderful particulars. I hope you feel the pain ease soon, and that maybe there is another beloved animal in your near future.
How wonderful you had such a friend for so long. The Bible talks about the lion and the Lamb in the new Earth so maybe you meet up with cookie again – – nice thought.
So sorry for your loss, know how you feel we lost both our dogs one 2 years ago and one last year just before Christmas both to cancer, one was 12 the other 1. Take care
Hello. Oh Kate, I’m so sorry to hear about Cookie’s passing. I know how sad that is. I’ve had to say goodbye to many dogs over the years. I hope that someday when you think of Cookie, you’ll replace your tears and sadness with smiles and happy memories of all the sweet times you shared. Take care. Suzan
My heart is breaking for you Kate. As I write this I’m in the ER Vet’s waiting room. Our 5 yr old Lab got sick suddenly. First diagnosis two days ago was that he ate something but we found him an hour ago unconscious and barely hanging on.
We will know shortly if they can save him. Cookie won life’s lottery ending up with you.
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear that. I hope everything is ok!
I’m so sorry for your loss and so thankful to you for sharing her with us all.
I am so sorry for your loss. You wrote a beautiful tribute to your soul pup, who will now live on in your heart, until you meet again on the other side. I’m so glad you were able to share 13 years of your life with her – what a gift! ❤️
I’m so sorry for your loss. Dogs are a part of our families and it is such a loss when they are no longer with us.
I know what you are going through. I lost my old pup a few years ago and still miss him.