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.
Thank you for your recipes; and, so much of yourself that you share through your recipes.
I mourn with you the loss of your sweet companion, Cookie. Our fur-babies fill such a large part of our hearts. It sounds as though you each gave to each other all the love you could. May you find peace as you remember Cookie and the wonderful life you had together.
I’m so sorry for your loss! I’ve been following you for so many years and absolutely love your recipes. Will definitely be praying for you during this time. She will be missed!
My deepest condolences on the loss of your beloved family member! No one can express the huge hole in our hearts that these little creatures leave behind, in addition to their love, support, and warmth that we will always carry with us!
I love your recipes, writings and inspiration but mostly I have loved Cookie. I am deeply sorry Cookie is gone. Animals have an incredible space in our hearts. What an awesome bond you both shared, that is no small thing. Thank you for sharing her with us as well.
Thank you for loving Cookie. I always appreciated her so much and now I’m able to see just how special our bond was. All my best.
Dear Kate , I am sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved dog cookie . You wrote the most touching tribute to what a loyal friend & loving pet cookie was to you . I hope your family takes comfort in knowing that your dog was loved . I believe that they are a special gift from God while they are with us . Until we meet them again .
Aww Cookie, I just came on here today wondering about her and how she was doing knowing she was an older gal now. I’m so sorry she’s gone but know that she was lucky to have you in her life as well and you brought her joy and made her life a wonderful and happy one. She knows that you loved her.
Thank you, Sandra. I loved her so!
I’m so sorry for your loss. We never have our beloved pets long enough.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Cookie sure was a lucky girl to have found such a wonderful family! Sounds like she had one heck of a life! Hugs to you and the family!
This made me cry. What a beautiful tribute and important reminder to appreciate what we have! So sorry for your loss, Kate.
So sorry for your loss, but try to remember all the times Cookie nuzzled up to you and made you smile. Dogs are the best, but the end is always so hard. Hang in there!
So sorry your sweet pup has passed…such a heartache, yet so many lasting and memorable times for you! A hug for your heart❤️Christina
Kate, I’m so sorry about your loss of Cookie. We lost both of our old labs within a month of each other last spring. It was heartbreaking but their health issues caused a lot of pain in the last months of their lives. I believe Cookie had the best Mom she could ever wish for.
Sincerely,
Laurel
It is so devastating to see them suffer and so difficult to make these decisions. I can’t imagine losing two at once. How lucky we are to have enjoyed their company.
I’m so sorry to hear this Kate. I have always known this day would come but it still is so sad to hear. Sending much love and peace your way. I have many furry friends waiting to greet Cookie on the other side of the rainbow bridge.
That warms my heart. Thank you, Lyndsey.
Dear Kate,
I am so very sorry for your loss of your beloved Cookie. It is a very difficult time and one that seems to last for ages. I lost my Xena dog and my Boofie dog in the same year in 2020. Xena died of bone cancer (I had to put her to sleep she was in terrible pain) 2 days after her 11th birthday. My Boofie had a brain tumour and had to be put to sleep (again due to intense pain) 4 days before Christmas – he was 9yo. I still struggle with the pain of losing them both, but know I made the right decision to end their suffering, as they no longer had the quality of life they so richly deserved. I was so sad for you, to hear of your losing your trusty sidekick, my heart really does ache for you. Cherish Cookie’s memory by putting a candle next to your favourite framed photo of her, and that way you can send her love and light every night. She will always be with you.
Warm regards,
Margo
Thank you, Margo. Quality of life is really everything and Cookie declined so slowly that I now wonder if I made the right decisions along the way. But I made them with love. Thank you for the candle idea. xo.
You are so special! You make everyone feel loved by loving your food and Cookie. We could not have asked for a better team ❤️❤️
Kate, I am so sorry for the pain you’re going through right now. It’s the price of loving a pet, and it’s so hard! Thank you for sharing Cookie with us. You gave her such a good life!
I am sorry to hear about your Cookie. We lost our Cookie a year ago. She was a rescue dog, and we loved her. You and your dogs name is one of the reasons I decided to follow you. My spouse has a niece named Kate, and we had a dog named Cookie. We will meet them again at the Rainbow Bridge. Until then, the will live in our hearts.
Hello. I am so sorry for your loss. I understand how you are feeling.
Thanks for sharing your story. I know the love and bonding that occurs between us and our fur friends. You’ve inspired me to give my 3 besties an extra hug and treat. Cookie was a lucky girl. Take good care.
I was so saddened to learn that you lost Cookie. I loved reading about your wonderful partnership with your very special Canine Partner. I understand that it feels as if your heart is ripped from your chest when you lose such a special part of your life. Wishing you healing.
Debra Ross
My condolences on the loss of a cherished family member! RIP, Cookie.
Dear Kate, I’m so sorry for your loss. We lost our beloved chihuahua, Rosie when she was 11.5 from congested heart failure. That was in June of 2021 and we still miss her terribly every day. Our Jack Russell, Eddie, who was her buddy, as we rescued them together, also still looks for her from time to time. They are such precious members of the family through all the life things, sad and happy, that happen every day. She will be in your heart forever! She has gone to the Rainbow Bridge. Love, Regina
Sorry to hear about Cookie. Glad you had such a long and wonderful time together.
You gave Cookie a beautiful life, filled with love, companionship and caring. When our fur-babies leave us, sadness abounds, but the memories keep us strong. We will always have those close to our hearts. I am very happy to have known her through your wonderful blogs. Prayers and hugs.
So sorry to hear you lost your beautiful sidekick. Cookie was a lucky girl to have you and how lovely to have shared so much together. Losing a pet is always hard, but you sound like you have a lot to be grateful for in your life. She will continue to be with you, just not quite in the same way.
Thank you for all your wonderful recipes and I wish you the best in this difficult time.
Sorry to hear about Cookie❤️
I am very sorry, Kate – thank you for sharing those lovely memories of Cookie ❤️
I am so sorry for your loss. I know it well.
I was so sorry to hear the sad news of Cookie’s death. You can tell from her picture what a special soul she was and still is – just maddenly not in physical form anymore. Thank you for sharing her story.
My dear Kate. I cannot tell you how sad I am about the passing of cookie. I have followed your website for years. My corgi died in 2018 and we swore we would never get another dog. We are not young. Then a blessing happened, and Bowie, a sort of Merle corgi dropped into our lives. Our deepest sympathies in the loss of your belovedCookie. We are thinking of you.
Hi Patti, thank you so much, and I’m so glad to hear that you have Bowie’s good company.
I’m so sorry for your loss of Cookie. Losing a fur friend is very hard on the heart but find peace in knowing you gave her the absolute best life.
It hits so hard when a beloved dog dies! We lost my older childhood dog last year, and for long after we would just feel so sad and emotional seemingly at random. My dog wasn’t himself for months, missing his buddy I’m so sorry for your loss! We have enjoyed hearing about Cookie over the years and will miss her presence in your posts! So glad you have your little one and husband to be with you through this.
I am so sorry for your loss. May you remember the good times and, in time, I hope your pain diminishes. Many of us know the agreement we make with our wonderful pets usually involve sadness at the end. She had a great life and an outstanding name.
Sending love and support to you. So very sorry you have lost your furry companion and best friend! Hugs ❤️
So very sorry for the loss of your dear (four-footed) friend. It’s so hard that they have so much shorter lives than we do (my companions are feline but it’s still the same feeling of loss when they pass away). But obviously Cookie had the very best life with you, was loved to the end and she will have known that. Take care.
So sorry to hear about Cookie. It is very sad to lose such a close friend. My condolences to you and your family. I have been reading and making your recipes for years. You have such innovative ideas. Thank you for sharing your recipes and your heart.
Audrey Joy
I am so heartbroken for your tremendous loss. May her memory be a blessing. Sigh. Dogs and their infinite love are truly one of life’s greatest blessings.
Please accept my sincere sympathies for the loss of your dear Cookie. It’s so hard to lose our fur babies, but she had a good life with you and your family. I’ve lost several and still miss them, although there are others that took their place but yet they’re never “replaced”, and I should prepare for my boys to go since they’re going on 14 years old.
Kate, so sorry to hear about Cookie. She was lucky to have you.
What a beautiful relationship. Our animal companions hold such a special place in our heart. Thinking of during this transition.
Tess
Heartfelt condolences and sympathies. Cookie has crossed the rainbow bridge and will always be in your heart. And her legacy lives on.
I’m sorry Kate. ❤️
I will never not tear up when reading about a beloved dog that passed…I am so sorry for your loss, Kate. Words are not enough. I have my own soul pup (I call her exactly that) and I cherish each day. You have made the right decision and your wonderful Cookie felt loved every second of every day of her life, to the very last. Thank you for sharing your love and grief, and for all the smiles you two brought along each tasty recipe.
Thank you, Daniela. How lucky we are to have found our soul pups.
Kate,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is so, so hard. Cookie seemed like she was the best dog! I’ve enjoyed your blog and recipes for many years now and I’ve always loved reading about Cookie. Thank you for sharing her with us. Be sure to take time to smile and laugh at the memories she gave you. <3
Dear Kate,
Oh! Thank you for sharing with us out here your deep and tender emotion around the life and loss of dear Cookie. I cried at the news. Through the blogosphere you and Cookie have become part of our kitchen-centered family.
We have two 16-year-old cats, one quite frail, negotiating their way through old age. They were my family 10 years ago when I met my husband-to-be, a true cat person. Finding love later in life—Jim was 66 and I 65–we have now been married going on seven years. We love cooking together, and we have been cooking with you much of that time. You are our go-to food maven for fun and good health. An enduring favorite is the Lentil Soup. I remember discovering the blog in a recipe search and gleefully announcing the results to Jim: “Kate is the cook and Cookie is the dog!”
Unquestionably, you and Cookie were so lucky to have each other.
Condolences and warmest wishes, Nadenia & Jim
Thank you so much, Nadenia. Your story warms my heart.
So sorry to hear about Cookie’s passing. They are part of our family and it is very difficult for us when they are no longer here. It sounds like you and Cookie had an amazing life together. Wishing you more happy days as Cookie is now your angel pup!!!
Dear Kate,
Never easy losing our loving pets/family member. We’ve shared your love & loss.
You’re still young enough to one day provide another pet with a loving home if you should decide to do so.
Many of us hope you’re able to continue with your wonderful posts & recipes.
In Appreciation,
Sherry Lupo
Artist
PS: I was with FASO Artist website but no longer work it. However, if you would like to receive a painting of Cookie from one of your favorite pictures, I’d be pleased to gift one to you.
I could mail it to whatever address might accept it for you.
I’m so sorry to hear about Cookie , I always loved reading about Cookie in addition to your recipes (which have all been awesome!). Losing a pet is so hard because they really are part of your family and nothing ever feels the same without them. But it sounds like Cookie had a truly great life with you, and that you both helped each other and brought out the best in each other, and that she lived a full life with a full and joyful heart. I hope all your happy memories of you and Cookie together bring you some comfort right now
Amen. Thank you so much, MJ.
So sorry Kate. Cookie was your first “baby” and I know your heart is breaking. I love dogs and that is what first drew me to your site—and then I fell in love with your wonderful recipes! Cookie will forever be in our memories.
Kate – your recipes and sweet words have kept me afloat over the last five years…I absolutely adore you & Cookie. Deepest love and gratitude sent your way while you transition into this new chapter. Thank you both for all that you do and have done <3
Thank you for following along. We appreciate you.
Hello Kate,
Really sorry for your loss. We will all miss Cookie so much. Her memory will stay alive by looking at the cute about photo of her and you on the website. Try to focus on the amazing times you had together… she will always be loved. May she rest in peace with the cutest barks in heaven!