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 am so sad to hear that Cookie has moved on to doggie heaven. I always looked forward to hearing what he is up to. There is no better friend in the world like having a doggy.
Hugs to you Kate!
Oh, Kate….
My Heart hurts for you and your sweet husband. Doggies are the Best. Unconditional Love at its most extravagant. I truly believe our pets go to Heaven. I just know in my heart she will meet you there. Grief is quite personal and private, so thank you for sharing about Miss Cookie. Know that we are carrying you and your sweet family in our hearts and saying prayers to bring y’all some comfort. Xoxo from NC!
So sorry for your loss. Rita
Dear Kate, your tribute to Cookie is beautifully written. What a gift to have Cookie as your beloved sidekick for all those special years. Thank you for sharing your reflections, and blessings to you!
So sorry to hear about Cookie, but she had a great life!
Dear Kate,
We are soooo very sorry for the loss of your beautiful cooking companion and fur baby Cookie.
A beautiful quote.
I loved you your whole life, I’ll miss you for the rest of mine.♥️
Kathy, Don and our Tessa
I’m so sorry for your loss. Cookie will be greatly missed by your followers as well, certainly by me. Her name will carry on forever.
I’m so sorry, Kate. We too are dog lovers, and food, so we definitely get it. Following your mourning, please keep up your good work. You’re my go-to for excellent recipes. If you could track me, you’d think I was stalking you. : )
And please don’t change the name.
Again, my condolences.
Thank you, Michael. I appreciate your words.
I am so sorry to hear about Cookie, she had a beautiful life with you
Dear Kate,
I was so sad to hear about Cookie. So very sorry for your loss. I have your cookbook and especially love the pictures with Cookie in there! ( and all the recipes!)Your love for her shows in your book/ pictures, without even knowing you! Our dogs are truly special, with their unconditional love! You gave her a beautiful life! She will always be with you as Cookie and Kate! Rest in peace sweet girl!
I’m so sorry to hear this, Kate. In a way I feel like we all knew Cookie and your special bond came through in your cookbook and blog. I send you very warm thoughts and wishes for peace during this time.
I am so very sorry for the loss or your amazing Cookie. What an amazing legacy she (and you) have created year. May she be running freely and eating lots of doggy treats across the rainbow bridge with my two (former) pups Katie and Charlie. Love and light, Kathleen
What an exquisite tribute to your beautiful Cookie. Please accept my deepest condolences to you and your family for your loss.
So sorry for your loss. Xx May your darling Cookie be jumping over the bridge .
Hi Kate
I am so very sorry for your loss. Nothing can ever replace the special bond that is created with our pets. Nothing can replace the joy they bring to our lives, the comfort they give us, the fun moments, the silly moments and the complete and utter acceptance of us as just us, no judgement. You can hold on to the 13 years of wonderful memories and know that Cookie will always be watching over you and approving of all the wonderful new creations you will come up with.
Cookie, you have crossed over the rainbow bridge and are now at peace, pain-free and happy to play with the new friends you have met on the other side. You were so loved and you mum will always love you.
Kate, sending you big hugs as this incredibly sad time.
Thank you for your kind words, Kim.
Goodbye, sweet Cookie. Go well, good girl.
Thank you for sharing her with us, Kate. I hope you are able to find comfort in your memories of her.
I’m so very sorry that you lost your beloved, loyal friend, Cookie. I know your heart is full of a mixture of sorrow that she’s gone and joy for what you experienced because of her. May you feel loved and supported through this. You are not alone. We are all grieving with you.
My heart was broken to learn that Cookie is gone, from our plane, but never from our Hearts.
My thoughts are with you as you share with us all your amazing recipes. I will think of Cookie when I make them.
Thank you for the beautiful tribute and all your amazing recipes
Dear Kate,
I have been a big fan of your sweet Cookie and have enjoyed years of your delicious recipes. On many occasions your soup and salad recipes have been served exclusively at all my fall and spring luncheons.
Your food and website including all the sweet pictures of Cookie have been truly appreciated.
Cookie will always be a joyful part of you.
With Love,
Catherine Warren
Bowling Green, Ky
If you ever travel to Kentucky or maybe Nashville, I would love to meet you.
Deepest condolences from a South African dog lover. My thoughts are with you!
I am so sorry for your loss.
I am so very sorry for the loss of your “bestest love.” We said goodbye to our 2 English Goldens last year; how many empty days & nights to struggle through. We have come out on the other side with a new puppy. Best of memories, some that make you laugh, while some simply make you stand still as the memories flow over you. We will look for your memories as time goes by. Goodbye Cookie you did a great job with your recipes & your love of Kate.
I am so sorry for your loss. As the caretaker of an older dog (also 13+) who has medical problems, I understand how difficult it is to see a beloved companion slowly declining. Please take comfort in how she knew she was beloved.
Kate, I’m so sorry to read this! I teared up reading your message. I’ve been reading your blog and cooking with your recipes for years. I was just telling my friend yesterday that one of the most unfair, heartbreaking parts of being human is the difference our life spans and those of our dogs. I have said goodbye to two beloved dogs as an adult and still love and miss them. Their love is so special and pure and loyal. Sending you my thoughts and love.
I join so many others in sympathy for your loss of dear Cookie. Find peace in all the lovely memories you have shared.
Such beautiful words, Kate. It’s difficult if not darn near impossible to capture the love we have for our dogs in words, and you wrote an amazing tribute to Cookie. I’m so sorry for your loss, and so grateful for all that you and Cookie have given the world with your blog and cookbook. I’ll smile every time I flip to a page with a picture of her waiting to taste one of your creations! Love to your whole family!
Kate,
I am so sorry for your loss. I have been a long time follower of your blog and know that Cookie meant the world to you. My daughter LOVES flipping through your cookbook, just for Cookie pics! Your tribute is beautifully written. My heart goes out to you.
I’m sorry, Kate. Losing our pets is so difficult, but our their memories are a blessing. Thank you for sharing glimpses into her life with you.
My boyfriend introduced me to your site and we’ve both enjoyed making so many of your recipes (and we’ve been going through your cookbook, too) and, being dog lovers, we’ve enjoyed Cookie and your wonderful tips on food for pups. The photos of Cookie in the cookbook are so beautiful and sweet. Thank you for sharing your love of healthy eating and your love of your precious furry love. I’m so sorry for your loss. It is truly bittersweet, seeing a pet through to old age. You know you’ve pored all your love and care into them and they’ve thrived in it but you’d gladly do it forever. Our (my boyfriend and I) deepest sympathies to you and your family. ❤️
Oh I am so sorry to hear about Cookie. I know the feeling all too well! Thank you for sharing some of your memories of Cookie.
What a devoted companion and friend.
Take care of your tender heart. And when I open your website and see Cookie, I will say a prayer that she is frolicking with other dogs in another place pain free!
Peace,
Lisa
This made me very sad. I don’t know what I would do without my Colette. I am sorry for you dear.
So very sorry for your loss. Cookie will be greatly missed by all of us. You will always hold her in your heart.❤️❤️❤️
I’m so sorry for your loss. Cookie was the sweetest little dog and I’ll miss her. You did her justice with your beautiful obituary. I’m not going to pretend I understand what you’re feeling. I know, though, that your loss must be so consuming, and that Cookie will always be by your side. When you feel a smile inside, that’s Cookie, licking your face. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Cookie, rest in peace, you dear little dog.
I am so sorry to hear about Cookie. You just have to keep doing what you are doing and thinking of the happy moments together. It is never easy to loose a friend.
Our pitbull just passed a few days ago so this hits home. Hard. Grief is grief. Let’s make a vow to be patient with ourselves , even if people/ society say, “ It’s just a dog,” and that we are supposed to bounce back the next day or in soon there after. We pour our hearts into everything for them, and they do the same for us! Cookie was a very cute dog. I’m sorry you’re going through this. May you smile at the many , many memories.
So sorry to hear about the passing of Cookie.You gave her a wonderful life. Grief is the price we pay for love. You will see her again at the Rainbow Bridge. Hugs!
Hello Kate from San Diego:
I am a huge fan of all that you do and trust every recipe you invent!
Our 70 pound mixed retriever of 14 years crossed the rainbow bridge during covid, and I felt grief I didn’t know my body could produce. Finally I talked to someone who wisely said that our vocabulary is all wrong. We have not LOST our companions…..they are just not in their “earth suits” anymore, but are with us always. I chose to look at things in a new way and it really helped me. Time will help the grief diminish, and I promise that all the fun memories will remain. Keep cooking…….your pup is there with you in the kitchen, and now she gets to see how famous she is!!!!!!!
I am so sorry for your loss. That is the problem with loving our animals, but leave way too soon. She has paw prints all over your life. You have tender memories in your heart. Rest in peace, Cookie.
A beautifully written post. So sorry for your loss of Cookie. I know well that the grief can feel overwhelming. In my life I’ve loved and had to say goodbye to several wonderful dogs and the pain doesn’t get any easier but with time it’s possible to look back and smile at the memories you have, and keep close in your heart. Run free sweet Cookie.
I’m so sorry Kate. You wrote a beautiful tribute to your beloved Cookie. I love what Jan wrote below about a dog breaking your heart only once.
I am so very sorry for your loss and know it all too well. Your first baby and companion, your “history pet” will always be by your side.
I’m sure she helped and inspired all your delicious creations.
I was so sorry to hear about Cookie’s passing, your dear companion and friend. His sweet presence has been felt here on Cookie and Kate, and now his loss. Wishing you love and a peaceful healing of your heart.
I cried reading about Cookie. I’m so sorry for you. Our animals are wonderful in our lives which makes it so much worse when they are gone. You wrote lovingly about her.
Just catching up after being away for a while and so sad to learn about Cookie’s passing. Despite the heartache, there is hopefully comfort in knowing your wonderful dog was with you through the evolution of your successful business. It is difficult to lose any loved one, but especially one that’s been by your side faithfully for so long. It’s still fun to see her in your photographs (I have your cookbook, Real Food) and trust that the memories and stories of good times with her will live on. Blessings to you, Kate.
So sad. My dog is only 3 years old. However, I know what a loss it would be if she were not with me every day.
Our fur babies touch our lives and hearts so deeply. I am so sorry that you lost your beloved Cookie but am glad you had her for so long. Remember all the great times and the joy you brought to her life. Blessings…
Kate, I am sorry to here you lost you best friend . Loosing pets is so difficult as they are so special. Love your recipes. Greg
Y’all have been one of my very favorite recipe websites! But I’m still looking forward to the next generation recipe site!
I’m so sorry for your loss, Kate. Our pups stay in our hearts forever, so many happy memories to hold close. Thank you much for sharing her with us over the years! Your blog is still my “go to” whenever I need a spark of creativity for our meals. Your warm, generous spirit comes through in your writing and your recipes are always clear, concise, and exquisitely photographed. Wishing you and your family health and happiness. Cookie knows you are loved by your readers!
So sorry to hear of your loss, Kate. May you find peace knowing Cookie lives on through you and the wonderful memories you hold close to your heart.