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.
Im so sorry to hear of Cookie’s passing! I know it’s always hard to loose a pet but they leave us with so many wonderful memories.
I am very sorry for your loss of Cookie. our dog children can not be replaced – but the love they give us over the years is so rich and full and we have to enjoy every minute of that love- that is our gift from above! our dog children do not last long enough but they give us so much in return. May you find peace and comfort knowing that you gave everything you could to – and for Cookie. I will be keeping you in My thoughts and prayers. My very best to you.
Linda Delbridge
Awwww, I’m so sorry to hear this. I went through the same thing with my sweet pup, Millie. She lived to 14 years old. It was so hard to lose her and now I’m left with so many wonderful memories. I will pray for you and your family. Thank you for sharing your story and I will always remember her as I look up recipes online and in the cookbook I purchased from you. I love your recipes.
Thank u for sharing such a personal part of yr life. I would love to read and c more of yr moments together with Cookie. I empathize with u; our mini dachshund Cookie passed October 20, 2021 just 2 days before her 12th birthday. Keep those recipes coming!!!
Thank you sharing your joyous memories and love for your furry companion. I wish you comfort- I know how great such a loss can be.
I was told once that the only comfort for losing a beloved pet is a puppy! We lost our sweetie and a year later, my husband was visiting the humane society. That’s when I knew it was time. We love our current fur baby, but of course, our previous pup will always have a special place in our hearts. Blessing to you and your family!
Sorry for your loss
Kathryne,
I am truly sorry about your loss of sweet Cookie. It is very generous of you to open up your heart to your followers. I am grateful for your healthy recipes – there is no one else like you!
Big hug,
Teri
Words cannot express how sorry I am for the loss of your beloved Cookie. I have been through this 2 times and it never gets easier. I hope you find comfort knowing that you gave her the very best life! She would want you to love another pup when it’s time. Dogs are not are whole life but they make our lives whole. Love and hugs to you.
Kate, you have my deepest condolences.
I feel Cookie was to you what Lady Jane was to me. Here’s the tribute I wrote the day she passed. https://laurahandke.com/a-special-tribute-lady-jane-the-cat-of-a-thousand-names/
If it helps, we now have Linn, another black kitty who will turn three April 28th.
I am so very sorry for your loss!
I have been following you and Cookie for some time and admire not only your well thought out recipes, but the spice that Cookie brought to your site. Sending warm thoughts and condolences to you and your family from the Pacific NW.
I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s never easy to lose a much loved pet. The pain of saying goodbye is just the downside of all the joy they bring and all the memories you make. May you get comfort from the fact that she was much loved and had a wonderful life.
She’ll be forever immortalized in the website you both created. X
I am so sorry you lost your Cookie, but to have lived as long as she did with a cancer diagnosis is testament to your love and friendship. I hope you find some comfort in reliving memories of your time together.
So sorry to hear about your loss. Those of us who truly love our dogs know how hard it is to part with them. Thirteen years of bonding with Cookie has created so many special memories for you. Don’t wait too long to share your life with a new puppy for your family. Nobody can ever take Cookie’s place in your heart but you will find different things to love about every dog who shares your home.
I love your recipes and I home cook for both of my Russell Terriers. My previous JRT would not eat any type of fruits or vegetables but these girls love them. Thank you for sharing Cookie, and your recipes, with us.
So sorry to hear. That photo of her always made me smile. Sending lots of love <3
I am so sorry for your loss. What a privilege it is to share our lives with such magical little companions. Rest in peace, Cookie. ❤️
I am so saddened to learn of Cookie’s passing. I hope her memory brings you comfort throughout your life. I miss my puppy Stella so much, and she died in 1993 at the age of 13. Thank you for your wonderful recipes and letting us “visit” you and Cookie through the years!
Blessings Kate…May Cookie’s memories of unconditional love forever hold space in your heart. It is one of the most beautiful things a four legged shares with us two legged beings.
Kate, I am so so sorry to learn of Cookie’s passing, I have tears reading this. They are in our lives for such a short time, but boy what an impact they have. I lost my two within a short space of each other and it was honestly the hardest thing to go through, but they are with me everyday. I know where the guilt comes from, but try not to question yourself, you’ve made every decision based on pure live for her, and she knows that. Cookie will be laying in the kitchen, tail wagging, watching over you, waiting for the day you reunite at the Rainbow Bridge. Lots of love, hang in there. ❤️❤️❤️
Indescribable losing such a beautiful member of your family who obviously felt boundless love & devotion for you, Kate. What a blessing to have each other all these years. You may check out the book, GOOD GRIEF. Thank you for sharing this very tender time. Sending love, Reva
So sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved Cookie. The loss of a pet leaves such a gaping hole in your heart. Be kind to yourself and take solace from all the wonderful memories of your beautiful girl xx
So sorry to read about your loss of Cookie. I have followed you for years and found every recipe delicious. We live on your soups in the winter. As an Okie, who also used to live in Prairie Village, and who loves my dogs and cooking, I’ve always felt bonded to C+K. My wife and daughters call you “Dad’s girlfriend.” Thanks for the great recipes! My condolences for your loss of sweet Cookie. I know how much that hurts.
So sorry for your loss of Cookie, such a cute dog or as my now veterinarian daughter always said, she is Adorable. Lots of love smd strength.
Oh Dear Kate, I’m so sorry for your loss of your beloved Cookie! It’s so HARD to lose our fur babies, dearest friends. (I still have my Dixie’s ashes in a box by my desk. She’s been gone since 2012.) You were a great doggy mama and friend to her, and gave her the gift of your devotion, as she gave you her’s. I’m glad that you have such fond memories of your life together. I know that you’ll treasure them “forever”.
Sincerely,
LeeAnn
So sorry for your lose. Pets are a member of the family. I have no children so my dogs have been my “kids”. I’m on my fourth one now since getting married. I think God justs lets us have them for a short time because there are so many of them to love. I can’t imagine Heaven without my “babies” there. Even Billy Graham wrote that he believed a beloved pet would be in Heaven. He’s as close to an expert as I believe there could be. I hope you find comfort in that. No pet can be replaced by another. They have such different personalities but that love has no where to go when that lose comes. In my own experience, it has helped me to get another dog shortly after they passed just for that love to have somewhere to go (I’ve had the last two of mine just fall in my lap after the passing of my previous two when someone was looking for them a home). They were a Godsend.
Thank you, Kristie. I sure hope to see her again someday.
I’m so sorry to for your loss. That must be devastating to lose such a devoted companion. I can tell she was well loved. May God give you comfort and peace. ❤️
so sorry for your loss, but thanks for this note and the details. just got your book this year and it’s transformed my cooking arsenal. loved reading and seeing cookie pics in the book and wondered if she was getting up there in years…as you mentioned, it’s definitely worth it.
Sweet Angel Baby Cookie will Always be with you in Spirit. Forever at Peace for Eternity until the day comes when you will rejoice in her presence. Love and Millions of Blessings <3 <3 <3
Sorry to hear of your loss. I know you will always have a place for Cookie in your heart. Thank you for your perseverance in being by Cookie’s side and still being faithful to us. I am thankful you made it through the rough days. Know that your recipes have inspired me, even though you never hear from me. You will always have our support, be encouraged.
It’s never enough time with our four legged family, so sorry for your loss.
I feel your sorrow and wish you well. Cookie will always be remembered . Our dog Darcy is 2 1/2 and was supposed to be my sons dog but circumstances led her to be with my husband and I full time for the last 2 years. We cherish her and love her so very dearly . I can only hope that we will have many more years of her funny sassy personality . Thank you Kate & Cookie x
My deepest sympathies Kate.
I lost my soul pup 2 years ago and still think of her every day. There’s nothing like the bond between a girl and her dog.
❤️
RIP Cookie ☮
With a love like you’ve described, whatever you did…you made the right decisions every step of the way. Prayers that God will sustain you in the coming days with precious memories that make you smile.
You were the perfect “fur baby momma”.
Ronni
So very sorry for your loss of your precious Cookie. You were both blessed to have each other to love ❤️
My heart goes out to you now at your loss of Cookie.♥️ Dogs are special!
Susan
So sorry to read this news. I’m so sad and my heart goes out to you. The COOKIE community shares your grief. It must have been difficult to write those words even though you knew it was coming. She was indeed a special being and I hope you take good care of yourself over the next while. I always have admired the way you have her name on the marquee in all caps! She will be immortalized as the canine companion and coach of one of the best recipe developers around!
Sending hugs to you.
I can relate quite a bit to your post, as I had to say farewell to my beloved Buddy last year. It’s heartbreak like no other. The way they love us unconditionally is the best gift.
Like you, he was loved above and beyond, and I don’t regret a single effort. I could say goodbye (devastated but) knowing he knew how much he was loved and loved me right back.
I pray you have the same peace, and allow yourself time to grieve. I do so love this source for healthy recipes, so I rather hope that Cookie and Kate is here to stay… even if we continue on in her memory.
Peace and blessings to you and yours.
Thank you, Maryjane. Cookie and Kate is here to stay. I realize now that I can always revisit our time together by cooking our old recipes, and that is such a gift.
Im sorry for your loss. Pets are so important in our lives. Savor the memories.
I’m so sorry to hear about Cookie.
They always stay with us in our hearts forever, but we also miss their physical presence so much.
How heartbreaking for you to lose your precious Cookie. Our furry companions take up a huge space in our hearts and lives and we depend on them in so many ways. I’m glad you’re remembering the happy times and the warmth you shared.
Such a lovely tribute. You were both blessed to have each other.
I am so sorry for your loss. We lost our three beautiful girls, one by one, to old age during the pandemic, all at age 13. The grief we feel is a measure of the gifts we were given, and the price we pay for all those loving moments.
I’m sorry to hear of your loss. I feel that I’m coming to that same time in my dog’s life. Difficult but necessary to consider “quality of life” vs. wishing things could be 13 years ago. You know in your heart you made the right decision, but it’s so very painful. May God bless you Kate.
May the huge hole in your heart right now be filled with all your wonderful memories of your sweet baby girl Cookie. ❤️
I’m so sorry for your loss. I had to put my dog down in June and I know how you feel. My dog was my little buddy. In a movie (Togo) I heard a quote that goes something like this: “A great dog will always live on in your heart.” May you find comfort and peace and may all the good memories bring you joy.
I was wondering just this morning if Cookie was still with you. Thank you for sharing her with us. Carrying you in my heart and praying for you in your grief.
it is nice to hear that she lived to an old age and that you have so many wonderful memories. sorry for your loss
A fellow dog lover
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. These little furry creatures come into our lives and mean more than we ever expect them to. I have a cat with a lymphoma diagnosis that we’re currently navigating, so it seems I’m living your recent past. She came into my life right after grad school and has been with me for 16 years. I know in my darkest times she has been my everything and it can be so hard to cope with their loss. All we can do is give them our best and make sure they live the best version of their lives, even though it sometimes seems like an impossible task. Your Cookie seems like such a bright soul – all that personality in that smile. I know it’s a terrible loss, but I’m so glad you were able to brighten each other’s lives for so long.
Thank you, Kate. Yes to everything you said, and I wish you and your beloved cat the best. It’s a difficult road.
My Prayers are with you Sweet Kate – if anyone tries to tell you that Pets don’t go to Heaven – they’re wrong – when Jesus comes back for us at his 2nd coming He rides down from Heaven on a beautiful white stallion horse and if Jesus has His horse in Heaven – your Cookie is there waiting to be joined with you again!!