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 sorry for your loss. Cookie sounded like a model fur baby and your best friend. Again, so sorry for your loss. :(
I am so very sorry to hear this. I can imagine the big hole in your heart right now. RIParadise Cookie. We love you forever!
Thanks for sharing this difficult news. I have to admit it took me a few times to get through it as I would tear up immediately! We said goodbye to our little dog recently and yes the grief runs deep. These little 4-leggeds completely steal our hearts. I’m guessing Cookie had an absolutely awesome life with you which is the best gift you could have given her. Talk about her often and enjoy the memories.
So sorry about Cookie. Saying goodbye to your loving doggie is the hardest. Hugs.
Kate, so sorry to read about your loss♥️
Sending you lots of love and good vibes.
Just read this- so so sorry for your loss.
I didn’t grow up with dogs but adopted a few later in life. They make life better, and are truly our companions.
Take care Kate-
Enjoying your blog-
Carol and Pinto, Dottie and Dill.
We just lost our 13 1/2 year old golden Cody one week ago and we know how you feel. It is never long enough to have your wonderful dog. We are so sad but cherish all the memories!
Gutted for your loss sweetheart, never easy.xx
I understand❤️
Dear Kate,
I’m so sorry to hear of your beloved Cookie’s passing. Your tribute to her is beautiful. She will always be in your heart (and photos and recipe memories!) “Love never dies” Take good care
We are SO sorry to hear about Cookie. It’s been a year of ‘All dogs go to heaven’ in our family too. So sad. I don’t know how we came in contact with you, years ago, but we are glad we did.
We’re praying for comfort & healing for your aching heart,
Patti & Kate
Sweet Cookie! So unbelievably sorry for you and your family. I started following your blog back in 2016 and my husband and I had so much fun seeing all of the pictures of her when we bought your cookbook. I will always remember her when I make one of those recipes! You are in our thoughts and prayers, friend
I’m so sorry for your loss Kate. Cookie was very well loved.
What a lovely tribute! So sorry for your loss. I hope your sorrow will soon be replaced by happy memories.
So sorry to hear about Cookie. It’s the end of an era, but what a great life!
What a beautiful pup she was and so lucky to have had such a great life. Thank you Cookie for all your help in the kitchen . May your memories of her bring a smile to you always.
Dear Kate,
My sincere condolences on the loss of Cookie. We are so blessed to have dogs in our lives but they leave us too soon. Their souls fill our homes with joy, love and many messes! I still expect to see my boy Franklin peeking through the window when I come home. May happy memories bring you comfort.
Thank you for the wonderful work you do. My family are all fans!
Ann
Kate, the pain of losing such a beloved friend is profound. Your tribute to Cookie beautifully depicts your deep and mutual love.
Heartfelt condolences….Nancy
Oh no, I’m so so sorry. My Golden, Brinkley is 16. I’m trying to make all the moments count. Such a profound unconditional love ❤️
So sorry that you lost your best buddy & cooking partner, Cookie. I have been following you for several years & love your recipes, blog & Cookie. Congratulations on your daughter! Love, love.. Love Real Food cookbook. I use it so much, the pages are falling out. My condolences to you & your family. Sending love.
Dear Kate,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dear friend Cookie. May your memories bring you peace and make you smile.
With kind regards,
Illiane
A soul pup is such a special bond pup – once in a lifetime special – I bet if there is something after our time here then Cookie will be waiting for you – so sorry – thankyou for all you do
Hi Kate,
Thank you for letting us know about sweet Cookie. It’s taken me a few days to get up the emotional courage to write. My deepest condolences to you. I have a little Yorkie, and I know her “when” will likely come before me, but it’s nevertheless so hard when confronted with actual reality. We must, though, as you’ve been doing, keep little Cookies’s memory alive, remembering all the joy and love she gave to this world. And how wonderful that the blog’s name will forever honor her!
Hang in there…keep sharing her stories…and keep cooking and making recipes, as something tells me she would want you to stay whatever course makes you happy.
Be well, Cookie. Your presence and warmth extended so far….
And you take good care, Kate. Us followers are thinking of you…
Warmest,
Kristi
Kate,
I send you my heartfelt sympathy for the loss
of your dear close friend- Cookie.
You wrote about your affection of Cookie and the great joy your dog gave you over the years. Treasure the joy you and Cookie shared with each other during your 13 years of your beautiful companionship with each other. I hope you will keep sharing the beautiful picture of you and Cookie for us to see when looking for new wonderful recipes. You and your Cookie make such a great picture together. I wish you the very best in your difficult and painful time.
My heart breaks for you and your loss of Cookie. Having lost dogs throughout my long life. Dogs are the best buddies and so so loyal.
May you find the right time to get a new dog because I think Cookie wouldn’t want you to be alone. xoxo
I am so sorry for your loss Kate. I did not know Cookie, but I feel like I got to know her a bit through your blog. I lost my soul pup last year, so I understand. May Cookie rest in peace
Kate, I said goodbye to my beloved cat of 19 years this week and had exactly the experience you described with sweet Cookie. We shared life together from just after college as I learned to be an adult on my own, through marriage and life. I am so sorry for your loss, and so happy that Cookie will continue to live on through the amazing website you created together. She was as lucky to have you as you were her. Wishing you comfort.
Dear Kate,
I am new to your website, your recipes look beautiful and delicious and I hope to be inspired by them. At 81, I’m tired and don’t want to do much serious cooking anymore, but I am motivated by your healthful veggie recipes.
I do not have the advantage of knowing Cookie for all of his life like many of your followers have, but I love the pictures and read 2008-2023 with a box of tissues. I’ve had pets nearly all my life, most who lived many years, and it was like losing a family member when their life was over, so I can relate to your loss. While my boys were growing up we had Irish Setters, and always cats. The crazy dogs, Riley & Clancy would have loved to taste-test your recipes; they loved people food, but were such gentlemen and polite as to stand back and let the cats have first choice, then the dogs would finish up what was left. I firmly believe children learn important lessons & love from relationships with the pets that they cannot learn from humans.
So sorry for the huge loss in your family and know you are not alone in that grief.
One of my favorite quotes is by Will Rogers: “If there will be no dogs in heaven, when I die I want to go where they went.”
Thank you for your kind words, Judy.
Kate…when I read your post about Cookie the tears came. I could imagine your pain and then memories of losing our special Kody mixed with feeling your pain. It was a large box of tissues moment. She will always be in your heart because she brought so much love into your life.
I first found your Blueberry Oatmeal Bake recipe and quickly signed up for your emails as read about you & Cookie. I have enjoyed making several of your recipes. I am so sorry to hear about Cookie.
So sorry on the lost of your beloved Cookie. She was so fortunate to have you and you her. Hope your memories bring you comfort.
Trina
Even though we don’t actually know each other, you have inspired our lives in a way that feels personal. And so, as you experience this loss, we feel it, too. You’ve made us care about you, and Cookie, and it is heartfelt when we send our condolences and our love. Thank you for sharing the beautiful bond between you and Cookie, and for the lovely tribute.
I am so sorry for your loss! We lost our cat Pooh in August-she was 17. It is never easy. My 12 year old son and I found that journaling was very helpful. We wrote about some of our best times with her. We see her in our dreams and know it is a visit from her. We hope you take some comfort in having so many great moments with Cookie. Cookie will always be with you. Many hugs to you and your family.
Kate,
I have been following Cookie and you for about12+ years and I want to express my sincere condolences for your loss of your special companion. Cookie was an amazing dog from your very intuitive description. I wish you the best going forward and keep your special memories of Cookie close to your heart.♥️
Warm Regards,
Susan
I just saw this post about Cookie’s passing.
Instant crying. There are no words but I do want you to know that I share your grief 1000%. We lost one of our girls to heart disease. It’s devastating. I am so sorry for your loss Rest in peace sweet Cookie.
So very sorry for the loss of your beloved Cookie! She was beautiful and so loved❤️! I know too well the pain of losing our fur babies Thank you for sharing her with us!
Kate,
I’m so incredibly sorry to hear about Cookie. As you can see from the many posts, she clearly was a celebrity and will live on through you and Cookie & Kate. I hope you take comfort in all of the joy she brought you. Hang in there at this difficult time.
-Barb
Dear Kate you have blessed our family with your posts, wonderful recipes and sharing beautiful Cookie with us. We are so very sorry for your loss of such a gorgeous girl. We lost our 15 year old Kelpie in April 2020 so have a great understanding of what you might be going though. You and Cookie gave us some really special moments during the challenging moments of our loss and the ongoing COVID lockdowns in Australia. Thank you
Dear Kate,
I’ve just heard about your beloved Cookie and am writing to express my condolences. Her memory will live on with your future recipes. Dogs joy!
Be well,
Judy
judyepstein1@gmail.com
Deepest sympathies to you. Losing a beloved pet is extremely painful.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kind regards,
Margie
So sorry for your loss … you have given Cookie a wonderful life
My heart goes out to you. I know the feeling of loosing a beloved pet.
It is not easy.
Dear Kate – I purchased your cookbook many years ago and have been subscribed to your emails for years. One of my favorite things about your posts is to read about Cookie. I remember the post when you did the test to find out what kind of breeds she had in her. I remember the post when you said she had cancer and that she will be doing chemo but it was supposedly easier for dogs than humans. I remember the sweet pictures that your friend took of her. I have tears rolling down my face right now as I write this – loosing a pet is so hard. She was so lucky to have you and you have her. I can’t wait to hear more about her huge hugs and kisses. Please don’t change the name of your post. It always makes me smile when I see the email in my inbox. Xo
Thank you for your kind words, Heather. I appreciate it.
I’m so sorry. Your memories and thoughts about Cookie are so heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. May you feel at peace, knowing that you took care of Cookie with so much love throughout her life.
Dear Kate,
My deepest sympathies to you. Our pets are such precious and special family members. They are never too busy for us and provide unconditional love. Their love is sweet, innocent and pure. May you be able to honor her by modeling the characteristics and qualities you loved most about her. Thank you for giving her an amazing love filled life.
So sorry to hear about your loss! Pets bring so much to our lives and unfortunately their time is short, but the love they bring us and we give back lasts forever.
Fact, it was Cookie that initially brought me to your site as I searched for healthy recipes. Years later and many recipes later, and multiple cookbooks gifted, I am intrigued what the future will bring for you and your family. Loved following the journey thus far! :)
My condolences upon losing your BFF, Cookie. I’ve only been following your blog for a few months so don’t know much about Cookie, but losing a beloved being is sad. I recently lost my cat of 16 years, still long for her and see her in her favorite spots.
May Cookie rest in peace.
Hi Kate…I am a recipe follower (UK) and a dog owner and lover. We had our 8 year old much loved Tim, our Boxer dog, put to sleep 7 years ago. He had cancer. He was our first dog together. My husband is a man’s man and he was sobbing for days on and off, as I was. It was a Sunday and I had to go into work on the Monday. I’m in Sales and Marketing so lots of phone conversations. I was doing ok until one of my customers who I had not spoken to for 2 years rang me (spooky!) as she has a dog agility company and dogs are her life. She simply asked how I was and after holding it together all day, I completely lost the plot and broke down sobbing. She gave me some advice. She was 75 and had 15 dogs over her lifetime so had lost many. She said, get another one but never, ever as a replacement, just a new buddy. We did, 6 months later and Frankie, our much loved Boxer buddy, will be 6 next month. Cookie would want you happy again.
I am fairly new to your newsletter and just saw this. I am a pet lover and have had multiple cats over the last 50 years, each with their own unique personality and they have all brought me such joy in their own way. My first cat was a Siamese that loved to be carried like a baby and would put an arm on each side of my neck. People would sometimes ask if I had a monkey or if that was my baby (duh, did you notice the hair and long tail). With time the hurt will diminish and you will have a world of wonderful memories. I hope in time you will open your heart and rescue another.
I’m So Sorry to learn that you lost your beloved dog. Dogs are truly special ‘people’. They are there for you, no matter what and when we lose one, it’s losing family. We send our dearest condolences from Kelowna, BC