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, Kate. What a deep loss. Her memory will certainly live on through these recipes and delicious food. I look forward to more memories and pictures.
Be well and at peace, dear Cookie. ❤️
Sorry for the loss of your family’s beloved Cookie but happy you were blessed with loving her & sharing your adventures.
To think I opened Cookieandkate today hoping for news about Cookie…
You write beautifully, and I truly believe that every living being on this planet would be proud to deserve such an obituary.
Thank you Cookie for testing some of my favourite recipes!
So sorry for your loss Kate. Cookie will also be missed by your long time subscribers like me who have seen her from year to year along with your beautiful recipes. My heart goes out to you, God bless.
So very sorry for your loss. You gave Cookie a very special life (and celebrity status), but it hurts like hell to lose our beloved dogs.
Hello,
I have only recently discovered your site and am inspired by the recipes, especially as I’m not vegetarian and need a veggie cooking education. I just wanted to say I was so sad to read that you have lost your beloved companion Cookie, it is truly heart breaking to lose a dog and hard to bear. There will be many who cannot begin to understand the what this means to you, but many who really do. I’m so sorry, and hope you are a little consoled by the memory of the lovely life you gave him, and all he gave to you.
Louise x
I am sorry for your loss Kate. What a beautiful tribute to Cookie.
I’m so sorry. Cookie was clearly well-loved and cherished. She loved you just as hard right back. She will always be with you.
I am so sorry for your loss. Over the years, I have really enjoyed following your blog and I especially loved seeing pictures of you and Cookie. She looked like such a sweet dog and you were both so lucky to have each other. In a book I just finished reading, the author said that people can break your heart many times but a dog only once. So true. I hope that your memories of Cookie will bring you comfort in this very difficult time. My thoughts are with you.
Oh, that is true. Thank you, Jan.
Would you be willing to share what book that quote is from?
Hi Kathy. The book is called “The Dog with Nine Lives” by Della Galton. Here’s a synopsis of the book:
When Della found a stray dog living wild with her thirteen puppies on a beach in Rhodes she was determined not to get involved.
But fate had other ideas and Della brought Lindy back to England.
Lindy had already proved herself to be a true survivor, but she was more of a survivor than Della had ever dreamed. Over the next eight years she survived a series of events, any one of which might have finished off a lesser dog than Lindy. They included: being stampeded by a herd of angry cows; a rare life threatening form of anaemia; being swept down the river after chasing ducks; falling out of a car travelling at speed, and getting lost for a night in a forest.
The Dog with Nine Lives is both poignant and humorous. Dog lovers will love it. It is the true story of a very special dog.
Hi Kathy. I just want to make sure that you received the name of the book that I sent. If not, please let me know and I will send it again.
So sad to read about your lovely dog Cookie. I fully understand what you felt and are feeling. Treasure those special times. These animals tend to grow under our skin.
Love and hugs
Linda
I’m so sorry for your loss. Pets bring so much love into our lives, and I’m glad you were able to share so many joyful years together.
Kate,
Cookie sounds like a great companion. Your fond memories of him will be a true comfort far into the future. Take care of yourself and thank you for sharing him with all of us.
Joanne
sending my deepest condolences!!! i have been following you and cookie for many years – what a sweet girl! i feel deeply for dogs and have always had one or two of my own. and understand the light they bring to the dark places in life. im sure Cookie is on a fantastic journey to still spread her light and love. my heart is with you. thank you for the beautiful words you shared. no need to reply, i am sure you are overwhelmed with emails
Kate – I am so very sorry for your loss. I was just talking about you both, and sharing your recipes, with my hairdresser this past Friday.
I firmly believe that Cookie will always be part of you!!!! Thank you for sharing such a personal moment.
Thank you, Christine. I believe you’re right—I still very much feel her presence with me. All my best.
So sorry to hear of your loss. But glad she was so instrumental to you building a great life! Cookie was a special pup!
I’m so sorry to hear. Sending warmth and love, which seems just about right for a much loved best four legged friend.
I’m so sorry for your loss – it’s devastating to lose a pet. :(
I’m so sorry for your loss… it’s so hard saying goodbye to such special friends as our faithful doggies. Maybe you can create a special cookie recipe in honor of your sweet Cookie? :) (Maybe you already have!) So glad you had so many years and wonderful memories with her.
I’m so sorry to hear this! Cookie will be forever immortalized in your phenomenal cookbook- her photos make it such a joy to read. Thanks for sharing her with us all these years!
Awww, so sorry to hear Kate! Cookie obviously had a wonderful life full of love from you. I feel your pain as we lost our beloved 14+ yr old pup a couple of months ago. The love and loss you feel for them is so multi-faceted as it touches almost all areas of your life and they fill so many roles…soul pup, best friend, “child”, partner in crime, confidante, nurturer, fun friend, etc. The relationship that doesn’t need words for you to understand each other and share love.
You’re so right when you say your heart is so full yet so broken at the same time. Big hugs to you.
PS, I love your recipes, you’re my go to
Thank you, Julie, and you’re so right. Hugs back to you.
What a lovely tribute to a much loved dog. In the fall we said good bye to the dog we adopted just after we got married, 16 1/2 years of a beloved and crazy girl that helped me raise my kids. The loss is crushing, but the joy and memories endure.
What a special time to have a dog by your side. I’m sorry for your loss. Thank you for your kind note.
I am so sorry Cookie has passed away. I understand your grief, as I lost my border collie, Charlie, just six weeks ago. He lived to be 12 years and three months, and I adopted him when he was just a puppy. He was constantly by my side and such a joy to be with. We were lucky to have them, weren’t we?
Hi Jean, I’m so sorry about your beloved Charlie. We are so very lucky.
Aaawwww. So, so sorry for your loss. I understand. We lost our 14 year old Yorkie a few years ago (3) and I still miss her. May memories of her sweet self comfort you everyday now as you grieve and heal in the coming months/years.
So, so sorry for your loss!
My deepest condolences on the loss of your beloved sidekick. Thank you for sharing the beauty of your bond with all of us.
Your post made me cry along with you. I’m so sorry – it never feels that you had long enough with them.
We, too, have had to surrender beloved dogs (and cats) to old age but are so glad to have the memories. Some of the stories about them are the ones our young granddaughters, who know them only through photos, ask for every time they visit.
I hope your memories can help console you and your family.
Thank you, Kristi. Our daughter knew Cookie for her first 18 months and I look forward to sharing photos and videos of Cookie with her forever.
Rest in peace beautiful angel Cookie
I am so sorry for your loss ❤️
“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.”
Oh, I love that. Thank you.
I’m so sorry about your sweet girl. Dogs are the most amazing animals. They are always sent to us with a purpose. True angels from heaven.
From a stranger who regularly comes to this site for your fantastic recipes: much love to you in this time and going forward. Thanks for sharing your feelings and thoughts.
Oh I am so sad to hear this. Cookie was such a special doggo❤️❤️
Kate,
May you be comforted by the peace of knowing that you provided a loving home to your awesome Cookie for all the beautiful years she was with you.
I know you’ll get many expressions of sympathy on your loss. I just felt a need to add my voice to what I am sure will be a choir.
I am so sorry for your loss. It is always too soon, no matter when. She was a lucky girl, as were you, to share your lives. Dogs bring an essence to us that is unmatched. Their love, devotion and willingness is something to be emulated. And that is the best tribute to their lives. Grieve, cry but go forward and be full.
Lost my dear Anna, Australian mix, in June of last year. 14 years is a long time to be in love, and they never live long enough. My heart breaks for you. So grateful we had them in our lives.
So sorry for your loss, Kate. Dogs are family. They will always have a special place in our hearts long after they pass.
Thank you for sharing! What a heartwarming reflection.
So very sorry to read this news! It sounds like Cookie had an incredible life.
I’m sorry for your loss & thanks for the recipes and fun!!
Kate,
What a beautiful tribute to your beloved Cookie! I’m so sorry for your loss. Losing our canine companions tears a gigantic hole in our hearts and our lives. And all of those decisions in the last months and years are heart-wrenching. It does heal, but it heals slowly. We most recently have been mourning the loss of our sweet 14 1/2 year old yellow lab. Hopefully you can find some peace in the knowledge that you made every decision with love, and she lived knowing your great love for her.
Warm regards,
Lisa
I’m so sorry. A few hours ago I posted to Facebook some pictures of me walking my 2 13-year old bichon-poos in their stroller, and I said “Cherishing their golden years”. And now I see your post! I just held and hugged my Coop and told him how much I love him. Love and light to Cookie!
Sending hugs to you for Cookies passing
I’m So very sorry. She was a part of my email inbox ever since you started your Cookie and Kate site. She will be missed.
Dear Kate,
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. You and Cookie shared such an amazing love and appreciation for each other. She’ll always be at your side. She’s a large part of you and that will never be erased. Sending you so much love and hopefully in the near future the heartache will ease a little and her memories will bring a smile to your lips.
Thank you for all your delicious Cookie inspired recipes.
I’m so sorry. Love your posts and that adorable dog.
So very sorry to hear about Cookie, it so very hard to loose someone you loved. I hope you find solace in remembering how much joy she brought to your life and thanks to you both for adding to so many of my family’s favorite recipes.
I am so sorry for your loss, loosing a pet is like loosing a family member, so sad.
I love your recipes.
anna
Hi Kate, you absolutely made the right decisions for Cookie, she would have told you she was ready sooner if that were the case. Please be kind to yourself, Cookie knew you loved her and she will always be with you. Xx
So sorry for your lost. We lost our puppy suddenly in the middle of Jan – he had a heart defect we did not know about and he had no signs or symptoms. He was only 11.5 months, did not even get to see his first birthday. I am so glad you got 13 years together, take comfort in the long time you had together and all of the amazing memories.
What a beautiful post about your best friend. I lost my best friend two weeks ago, it truly is a bitter sweet experience. Thank you for sharing her with all of us, such a beautiful gift you had for 13 years. Condolences to you and your family.
I’m so very sorry. Nothing harder. Hang in there. She will be with you always.