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.
So sorry for your loss. I enjoyed seeing your pics and your love for him
O dear Kate. i have suffered the loss of more than one dearly loved animal companions. The pain is so horrible. You have my deepest sympathies …. which is so shallow a statement at a time like this. I lost my husband of 46 years this week. I have your wonderful book. Please keep a grateful reader in your thoughts, as I will keep you in mine. Cynthia
Cynthia, I’m terribly sorry to hear that you lost your husband. Forty-six years, and surely not enough. I am sending my love your way.
It was so sad to hear about your pal, Cookie. Such a special bond is hard to lose! She’ll be with you in memories (and photos). Rest in peace, Cookie!
I’ve been a cookie and Kate reader for years. Even though we all know it’s inevitable, losing the fur babies is hard. I’m glad she had a great life with you and inspired all of this. Sorry for your loss ❤️
So sorry about losing your beautiful baby. My 16-year-old kitty Stevie left me recently, it hurts. They are such gifts to us, they excel at opening up our hearts. Thinking of you sweetie.
So sorry to hear about Cookie. May your memories bring you comfort.
Dear Kate…my deepest condolences on your loss. I’ve been a dog owner all my life and I have lost many along the way. The most recent an old lady who lost the use of her legs and I was talked into euthanizing her. I felt guilty and questioned whether I’d done the right thing, but they said she was suffering too much. She too was 13. Our pets are truly such blessings. May you find comfort in your happy memories
These decisions are impossibly difficult. I’m sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Cookie was a beautiful soul and it’s obvious she loved spending her life with you. Dogs are part of our family and they leave impressions that will last the rest of our lives. Sending hugs ❤️
Kate, so sorry for your loss. Cookie will always be with you waiting for the carrot peels.
She sure loved those carrot peels. :)
Dear Kate,
I’m so sorry about Cookie! I always enjoyed reading about her latest antics and appreciated you sharing her with your readers. I hope all your good memories are a comfort now as you grieve her passing. She had the best dog-mom ever. It’s so hard to lose our fur-babies. She’ll always be with you in spirit.
Best,
Lisa
I’m so sorry for your loss. Cookie was so beautiful and such an amazing companion. Thank you for sharing such deep grief and emotion with your readers. I couldn’t stop crying and immediately hugged my dog, chief and told him I love him. It’s always heartbreaking to think about the time we have with those we love is so fleeting. Again so sorry and thank you for such a beautiful expression of the love that we feel for our pets
It was sad to hear of your losing Cookie, my heart breaks for your loss. May the may beautiful memories of her help to heal the hurt of losing her.
Hugs to you!
Much love Kate. Such a painful time losing Cookie xo
Kate,
I was just wondering about Cookie this morning while baking your blueberry muffins. Her picture always made me smile. It’s just awful to lose our beloved furry friends. Some animals(dogs) are just old souls that make their way into our hearts. So glad for you that she lived a long dog’s life and perhaps she’s running free with my Fred and Ruby. We had to let them go recently after a 3 year diabetes struggle. Hopefully your memories make you smile for a long time to come.
Thank you, Karen. I love to imagine my Cookie running around with your pups.
I’m so sorry you lost your fur baby. Your website has meant a lot to me since my daughter introduced me to it more than 11 years ago. Hope you keep sharing those recipes inspired by love!
Thank you, Deborah, for following along all this time! I will keep on sharing the new recipes. :)
Hi Kate,
I am sorry to to hear of Cookies passing. It is so sad to lose a companion/friend. It sounds from your note that you two had many great adventures together. May those memories be of comfort to you at this time.
I really enjoy your recipes and I will try to comment from now on when I make them. You do good work.
One more thing which of your recipes was Cookies favorite?
Thank you, Victor. That’s an impossible question—she was thrilled to eat carrot scraps and was not terribly discerning on the recipes. Loved them all, unless they were citrusy or spicy. :)
Our dog Locke loves food too much and our other dog Keebler is very discerning.
Have you ever considered a dog centered recipe for a meal or a treat? (It could be enjoyable for humans too.)
Just a thought, “Cookie’s cookies” has a nice ring to it.
I am so sorry to hear this and know how hard this is. Sending heartfelt sympathy.
No words but if I were there I’d give you a hug.
Margaret
I feel your pain. I just had to put my Boston Terrier Rescue dog Jameson down a few weeks ago. I had him for over 12 years. This has been difficult beyond measure. I miss him so much. Hang in there….only time can heal us now. But I am truly grateful for the time I spent with him. Take care of yourself through this process.
J
John, I’m so sorry you are feeling this heartache, but we are the lucky ones. All my best.
Kate, you and Cookie helped get my family and I through Covid when two of our four children moved back home for a few months and decided to become vegetarian. Although this is my first time commenting on your page, I prepare one of your recipes nearly every day!
It was also during that time that our family was able to spend our days with our aging family dog, who we lost to old age about a year ago. I too second guessed every decision we made as her health declined. In retrospect, I am just grateful for every moment we had with her. Thinking of you during this difficult time.
Hi Jana, thank you so much for your note. It is so hard at the end but I’m glad your family got to spend that time together. All my best.
It’s like you said: we are so lucky to have time with the ones we love!
I am so very sorry for your loss. It is never easy losing a beloved member of your family. I hope your memories together will bring you through this most difficult time. Thank you for sharing Cookie with us all. ♥️
So sorry to hear about Cookie…dogs are the absolute best.❤️
I am so sorry. It is so hard to say good bye to our fur babies.
I’m sorry for your loss. Bless you!
I’m so very sorry to hear about your loss. I love my dog too and dread the day he won’t be here! Hang in there and I hope with time your sorrow will lessen.
Sending so much love.
I am so very sorry for your loss. I adore your blog & your recipes, & always loved seeing Cookie. Sending you ❤️ & strength. From a fellow pet parent
Kate,
My heart softened with a smooth downswing and a tear came to one of my eyes, for you with the loss of Cookie. I hope with each inhale you find a bit of freshness and newness as you go forward.
All my paw friends are gone and at my age will be no more. You and family have a future. At the right time a surprise will happen.
Blessings
Thank you, Ruthie. All my best to you.
Awww, Kate, I am so terribly sorry for the loss of Cookie. I lost my boy a few months ago. They are more than a pet to us and I am sure many can relate to this and feel the loss with you.
I’m so sorry Kate. I’ve loved reading about Cookie all these years and to be honest, was really drawn to your blog initially because of your best pal, but stayed because of the recipes. Those of us who are so lucky to have loved “a Cookie” are so blessed. I had my Maggie until she was 16 and the pain of her loss was so deep but now I have my beloved Stevie who is a spunky 3 and she’s my shadow. May all your memories you have with Cookie be a blessing. And know that so many of your readers are so lucky to have learned about her!
Thank you so much, Sara. xo
Oh Kate – I’m so terribly sorry.
I obviously don’t know you personally, but following your blog over the years it certainly seems true that “a dog could not have been more loved.” It makes me smile how you put her name first in ALL CAPS. It’s especially hard I think when you watch your best friend grow old and frail and your own life is going so well. I had a girl that made it all the way to 17 – the last year of her life was mired in a mental tug-of-war between laying her to rest and not wanting to let her go. It takes a bit, but the day does come when the heartbreak is gone, and is replaced by warmth and gratitude. You have a lifetime of beautiful memories to look forward to.
Thank you both for all the years of pictures and stories and wonderful food and smiles when I needed them. You’ll always be COOKIE + kate to me.
Thank you so much, Sy. The past year has been quite difficult and you said it well. Cookie was quite bold and demanded exactly the attention she wanted, so it seemed natural to put her name in all caps!
I just saw your Facebook post. I didn’t know her in real life but I’m teary eyed. I’ve followed your blog for years and Cookie was a huge part of that. Time flies so fast, I wish our furry family members could stay longer. My condolences, she had the best life with you and those memories will last forever. Hugs.
Thank you, Amber!
Dear Kate,
It breaks my heart ❤️ for you that you lost cookie . It’s so difficult to lose our pet’s. They are so unconditional and love us on our worst days too! You are so blessed to have a beautiful family. It really touched my heart reading your story about losing Cookie, and I just wanted you to know that I was thinking of you.
Thank you also for all of your most delicious recipes! I so appreciate what you do.
Sincerely, Toni
So very sorry to hear about Cookie. I’ve been part of your team for a number of years – cooking from your cookbook and from the monthly recipes. I know what a part of those creations Cookie was but I also know her hope would be for you to create on…to offer more…she’ll always be a part of that legacy. We’re counting on it!
I am so terribly sorry for your loss. What an amazing story too, such a tribute to your Cookie. We lost our Bella Girl 12/4/22 totally unexpectedly. She would have been 13 in February. She came into our lives a wk before a car accident I was in and was my constant companion day and night. Yes at my darkest moments she was there cheering me on. Cookie and Bella are running around in green pastures just waiting until they hear our voices again.
Love and prayers to you and your family
Thank you, Terry. I love to imagine our pups running around together.
Dear Kate, I had tears in my eyes when I read your e-mail. I had a beautiful cat for 18 years so I know what you are feeling. God Bless.
So sorry for your loss…Sending hugs and love
So sorry to hear this and sending you so much love!
Dear Kate. So sorry to hear your sad news. She sounds like a most remarkable dog and she saw you through some tough times. Queen Elizabeth II would often say that the price of love is grief. As a life-long dog lover, it has been my privilege to have many special dogs in my life. And this I know: when their time comes to leave us, it is so painful. They give us so much and ask for so little. I know you will find joy and comfort as you remember your amazing journey together. God bless you xx
I’m so so sorry for your loss of sweet little Cookie. It’s never easy to lose a special pet that is like family. I have absolutely no doubt that Cookie will be right there in spirit with you while you whip up new recipes to share. ❤️
My heart is sad for you. But, what a beautiful gift in life you and cookie have been for each other. May sweet memories bring you comfort.
Blessings to you and your family–
Kate,
I am so sorry for your loss. You and Cookie were a wonderful team!
Thank you for sharing the love you and Cookie had for each other with all of us. I have your book with all your wonderful recipes and all the beautiful pictures of you and Cookie.
All who have ever loved a dog will appreciate the special bond you had together. The love you have for Cookie will always be with you.
Sincerely,
Patricia Rogers
I’m so very sorry for your loss!
May her memory bring you comfort.
I am so sorry to hear this. I am grieving with you. I’m so glad you had such a good friend for so long. Will be praying for you! Take care – Kate Griffiths
Condolences! K.
So very sorry for your loss but what a beautiful tribute & testimony to Cookie truly a good dog
Kate,
Sending you heartfelt sympathy. Our furry friends are just the best and it’s so hard when they must cross the rainbow bridge. Sending hugs to you.
Kate, my sincere prayers go out to you, what a special bond you had with Cookie, so wonderful to have special memories of the two if you together. I’ve followed the pair of you for several year and I’ve always co sundered Cookie part of my family.
We just love our pets but it’s so sad that they aren’t with us longer.
I’ve been there several times and it’s so devastating!
Blessings!
Patricia H in Overland Park, KS