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. I know she got (and gave) lots of love. She was lucky to have such a special,loving home.
I am so sorry for your loss. Life will never be the same but I know you will always cherish the time you had together. We’ve all been there and as painful as it is even years later I would not trade the time I had with my Josie for anything. Peace and love.
Dear Kate,
Heartfelt condolences for your loss of Cookie. Having loved and been loved by a canine companion is nothing short of remarkable. I share in the experience of loves and losses of dogs and wouldn’t trade it for anything!
I’m always grateful for your postings and delicious recipes which are my frequent go-to.
Warm regards to you and your family
Liza
I’m so sorry to read you’ve lost your beloved Cookie. There is nothing like the bond we share with our four-legged friends. You and Cookie were so fortunate to get to spend your lives together. I will hug my 19-year-old Pushkin cat a little tighter today in honor of your Cookie.
This is absolutely heartbreaking news. It is incredible that you had the presence of mind to articulate these beautiful thoughts and feelings about Cookie. These are the words I wish I had when I lost my own pup to lymphoma. Rest in peace, dear Cookie.
My deepest sympathy. I know how difficult this time must have been for you and my heart breaks. We lost Molly in 2018 to congestive heart failure and we still miss her every day.
Will be thinking of you every day.
So sad to hear about Cookie a faithful companion and best friend. Blue Heelers are special dogs. My own dog Charlie died of old age last week. They are such strong silent grounding force in our lives, carrying us through.
Your recipes are a foundation in my kitchen, thanks for what you and Cookie bring to the world
Dear Kate, I am so sorry. I appreciate that you shared this news because I have followed and enjoyed your recipes and Cookie’s adventures for years, and I know how lucky you and Cookie were to have such good, loving years together, and now with your partner and daughter as well.
I am so sorry for your loss Kate. What a beautiful write up you’ve posted Abbott Cookie.
So very sorry for the loss of your sweet girl. It’s so hard to lose our babies but they’re worth every tear.
So sad to hear about Cookie! I am glad she lived a good life.
So sorry for this great loss in ur life Kate…my heart hurts for you
So sorry you lost your lovely Cookie. You were both blessed to have had each other for many years. Peace to you, Gail
We lost our sweet boy last year & while the hurt is still there, so is all of the love we had for him & the immense gratitude that we got to spend 13 wonderful years with him. May your fond memories of & enduring love for Cookie get you through this.
I’m sorry to hear about your loss, Rebecca. Thank you for sharing.
I’m so sorry for your loss! Cookie was the luckiest dog in the world. I hope you find peace in your memories. My deepest condolences!
so sorry for your loss. nothing like a dog to add to life.
Oh Kathryne, I am crying in my coffee as I read your words. I knew this day would eventually have to come (our furchildren just do not live long enough in a world where life’s too short anyway) but I’ve been dreading it. Thank you for sharing Cookie with us over the years. We loved her too. Sending light to you and your family in your time of loss.
Thank you for your kind comments, Kathryn. I appreciate it.
Hi Kate,
I’m so sorry to hear that your dog Cookie has passed away. My heart goes out to you at this time. I know about the special relationship that you can have with your pet. I hope that all of the good memories you have of Cookie will help to comfort you now and in the days to come. Thinking about you ❤
So happy you had so many days
She was a perfect friend
I love stories like this as so may of us know exactly how you feel
Take care
I’m so sorry you had to say goodbye to Cookie. I’ve followed your blog for years, as my daughter was growing from a child to a teen, and we both enjoyed seeing Cookie featured in the posts.
Thank you for sharing and for loving Cookie so much!!!
Oh, I am so, so sorry for your loss of your precious Cookie. ❤️
My heart breaks for you, Kate – we lost our first dog just over a year ago after 16 plus years with him….still stings and you NEVER stop missing them!!! Hugs to you all…
I’m so very sorry! We all know you loved her dearly and she had a truly blessed life with you.Take care and sending you all the best wishes as you get over this loss
My heart goes out to you with the passing of your beloved Cookie. Hugs to you during this sad time.
So sorry to hear you lost your beloved animal; there is nothing like that kind of loss. Thank God for dogs! You are fortunate to have access to so many people providing online support. Take care. – Mike
Dear Kate:
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I lost my best doggy friend in January of this year, also after 13+ years. It is a deep sorrow that those who have not experienced it cannot fully understand. Our dogs are literally our soul mates, intuitive and longing to please, a bundle of warm, furry unconditional love. They are noble souls and I believe that they will be reunited with us someday in eternity. God bless you and your young family as you navigate this season of grief.
I’m sorry to hear about your loss as well. It’s so hard. Thank you for sharing your own experience and kind words.
Knowing the joy and pain of having and losing a beloved furry companions, my heart goes out to you. The love you shared will be with you forever. With deepest sympathy and many blessings.
Marilyn
I am in tears reading your beautiful words. Perfectly stated and I am so sad and sorry. These little animals make our world better. Cookie was as lucky as you were and the time together is never enough. Be gentle with your broken heart. This is at times the worst pain of all because they are the best most selfless and giving things of all. Thank you for sharing Cookie with us
So sorry for your lost. Its heartbreaking to lose your best friend. My heart breaks for you as I have gone through this as well. It is never easy. Thinking about you and your family during this tough time.
What lovely words Kate! My heart goes out to you and your family while you adjust to the loss of Cookie. You are virtually in my kitchen often and I cry with you now.
Deepest condolences on the loss of your beloved Cookie! We loved her, too, through your writing. Thank you for all that you do and peace to you and your family during this difficult time.
My sincere condolences. Cookie was very lucky to have had such a wonderful dog mom in you! You have written a beautiful tribute for her.
Sincere condolences. I had my Rottweiler from age 22 – 31and he accompanied me through everything from unemployment to building a consulting practice to a move to Europe.
Looking forward to your Cookie stories. All of our dogs are the greatest.
I’m sorry to hear about your loss as well, Andrea. I appreciate your comment and review.
I’m so sorry for your loss. As a longtime reader and a pet owner, I have enjoyed your recipes and stories about Cookie. I know how difficult a pet’s passing is. May her memory bring comfort.
Hugs to you from California.
I know how you feel……..I lost my Teddy over 3 years ago and miss him as much today as then……..I am sure cookie was grateful and very fortunate to have you as a “mom”. Sending hugs as I know how hard it is………
Sorry for your loss.
your recipes have been a blessing to me and my family!
I am so sorry for your loss. Cookie seemed like a remarkable pup!
Dear Kate,
I’m so sorry to hear about Cookie. You gave her a Beautiful life and she knew how much you loved her. May all of the Happy memories and the love of your Family and Friends be a comfort to you.
xxx,
Naomi
I’m so sorry to hear that Cookie has gone but she hasn’t left you, I know she never could. I hope you find comfort in knowing that. She is forever a part of you.
My heart is breaking also for Cookie. She was always fun to see on your website, emails and cookbook. I know she was probably loved by other readers also. Cookie is now in Puppy Dog Heaven eating treats, chasing bunnies and squirrels and playing with lots of new friends. There is nothing like the friendship and companionship of our pets. Cookie will be in your heart forever.
Very sad to hear of the loss of your beloved Cookie.
Oh Kate, what sad news! You loved each other well and, blessedly, long. I send my tender condolences.
Fondly,
Marcia Priddy
Oh, this makes me cry, Kate. I have your cookbook, and Cookie’s participation in your work is evident there. I am happy she accompanied you so well for so many years. Peace to you and your family. I hope you still will call yourself Cookie and Kate!
I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a much loved dog is so very difficult!!! It sounds like you have many wonderful memories to cherish. Hoping these give you comfort in the coming days
Kate – I am so so sorry you lost sweet Cookie. Thinking of you.
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. I know the pain all too well.
I have enjoyed your stories with Cookie, and your recipes and thank you so much for sharing!!
My deepest condolences for your loss. I understand the feeling of the loss of a beloved pet and the void they leave. She had a wonderful life with you and I can hear how loved she was. I hope your memories can bring peace in this time of heartbreak. Sending you light.
I am so sorry for your loss! I know there are no words to take away the pain of losing a pet.
I’m thankful to you and Cookie for bringing me so many wonderful recipes over the years. Her memory and legacy will continue to live on through this site, your cookbook and all the memories you share.