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.
So sorry to hear about Cookie. She seemed like such a special girl. Sending lots of love from Los Angeles, and will think of her as we continue to cook from your wonderful book and blog that bear her name!
xo, Caitlin and John
So sorry for your loss. Cookie was very special and she was well loved. Thank you for the pictures you shared over the years. I could see she was so smart and loving. I loved her smile and expressions. Again, so sorry for the loss, she will be missed.
Kate-
I am so very sorry this has happened. We love them and love them for days and days and then the price for that is some really awful days. We all know this is coming, but it is so incredibly hard.
Please seek out some grief counseling, that can help so much, and when you feel ready, please consider adopting a rescue animal in Cookie’s honor.
So very sorry.
Oh my heart. Big hugs to you all. ❤️
I’m so so SORRY to hear this news!! My furbabies are my BESTEST OF BEST friends!! I have two Shih Tzus Sadie and Molly!! They are my teddy bears too!! They are both 8 years young-so i would like to think that anyway!! Sadie was attacked almost 2 years ago by a pit bull mix of some sort but managed to pull thru with her skull damage-I feel so blessed about that and Molly last summer had lymphoma-we think we caught that in time!! Please stay strong!! I’ve been loving your-and Cookie’s recipes!! She is in a good spot now and no longer suffering xoxo
Reading about Cookie break my heart. You never get over losing your best friend. I’m praying that the happy memories give you comfort.
So sorry! A live well-lived, full of love and good food. Good preparation for Dog Heaven!
I’m so sorry for your loss. I too lost my beloved dog last week from kidney failure. Look for the tiny miracles in your day, every day, and you will find she is still with you! As long as she is in your heart, she will always be by your side
So sorry for your loss! Such a moving tribute. Giving my pups extra love! They’ll be by my side as we prepare one of your delicious recipes in honor or your precious Cookie.❤️
I am so sorry that you have had to say goodbye to Cookie. But, I am so pleased for you that you had so many loving years together. You were both fortunate to have had each other.
Kate I am so sorry to hear about sweet Cookie. The loss of a fur baby is excruciatingly painful and we all know you loved Cookie so much. What a beautiful tribute to her, clearly you loved her to pieces and she did you, I’m sure that’s why she stayed so long after her lymphoma diagnosis, she held on with love and the amazing care you gave her. I think with our pets we always question decisions because they can’t talk back to us and we want them to stay and yet we don’t want them to feel pain. It sounds to me as though you made the absolute best decisions for her and she knew she had the best life with you. Sending love and hugs x
So sorry for your loss!
So very sorry for your loss Kate :(
I have been there & I will be there again because I’ve found that a life isn’t complete without a dog :)
You’ll never forget Cookie but you will learn to love another because they’re like humans – completely unique & individual :) Take Care x
I am so sorry you had to say good bye to Cookie! What a lovely tribute to her and your life together. She will always be in your heart. Thanks for all you offer to us! (Our family are devoted followers of your blog and users of your cookbook!)
I understand your grief. I’m sorry to read about cookie.
My grief lingers for my Golda, who was my sidekick for 16 years. A beautiful golden retriever.
So sorry for your loss! Cookie will be remembered forever!
As long as we think and talk about and remember out loud memories of our loved ones, they will always be right there with us. My Sympathy Kate
So sorry for your loss Kate. Your wonderful tribute brought tears to my eyes.
So sorry to hear of the passing of Cookie. You remind us all to be grateful and cherish every moment with the real joys in life
I’m so sorry :(.
I am so sorry that you have had to say farewell to that sweet Cookie. Losing a pet is always heartbreaking but we move on and remember all the wonderful times Cookie shared with you. I am sad also for you and yours. Warmest regards.
I am so very sorry to hear about your beloved Cookie. They have such a way of wrapping around our hearts. May your happy memories bring you joy.
Dearest Kate,
So terribly sorry for the loss of your beloved Cookie. My heart breaks for you but I know your sorrow will be replaced with your wonderful memories of your sweet Cookie. I have loved your website and so enjoy all your fantastic recipes.
I am so sorry for your loss, Kate. I know what it’s like to lose a pet. So glad you had so many good years.
I am so sorry. She was an inspiration.
So sorry to hear. Cookie had such a happy life and she was loved by all.
Dear Kate,
I am so very sorry you have lost your soul mate pup, Cookie. I’m glad you have many memories of the beautiful and special times you shared. You gave her a wonderful life. She knew she was very loved.
My souls mate cat, Cookie (also black and white) passed in 2006 after a two year battle with a vaccine induced sarcoma.
It is so hard to lose a soul mate pet, but I can’t imagine never having or knowing that kind of special bond.
Peace be with you as you mourn her passing and remember her with love.
Kate,
My heart goes out to you. I lost my best friend a year ago to Lymphoma. We had her 12 years, but as you said that is just not enough. It will take time; but your heart will open, and you will find that it has the capacity to love again. Different than the first, but no less beautiful.
So sorry for your loss. It is so hard to lose a member of your family that has been beside you for so many years, and milestones. May the times that you shared warm your heart and bring a smile to your face.
Oh Kate, I’m so sorry. I’ve so enjoyed what you’ve shared about her over the years. Your writing made it so clear how you loved and adored her. When we love deeply, we grieve deeply, and in that vein, grief (however painful it may be), is a gift of sorts. It is the gift of remembering the depth of that love. I’m sure you miss her terribly, and I hope your memories of her will soften your grief over time. ❤️
I have tears for your loss of Cookie. Our four legged family members are so special, and it saddens me when one crosses the Rainbow Bridge. May memories live forever.
Dear Kate, I am profoundly saddened to read about the passing of this beautiful and special little pup. Cookie’s love and generous spirit will always be with you and your family. In this sense we can speak of her in the present tense…
You clearly blessed each other and may my thoughts and condolences find you now, and whenever needed in the future.
Rest in Peace Cookie. Thank you for making your Mom’s work and website all the richer for your presence.
With heartfelt love to you Kate.
Catherine Townley
First, I would like to send you my deepest condolences for the loss of sweet little Cookie. Having had several pets over the years, I understand that feeling and loss. I have been following you for several years now, bought your cookbook, and make many of your recipes (that are absolutely delicious and well balanced). Although a silent fan in the past, I had to break that silence today. Belated congratulations on your marriage and new baby! One of my favorite recipes is the roasted cauliflower and farro – I made it often. Thank you for the monthly newsletter and everything that you do!
Truly sorry for your loss.
Though I never met Cookie, I loved following along and seeing her pictures on the blog and in the cookbook. My deepest condolences, losing a pet is losing a family member.
Having been through this with 11 dogs over the years, (my wife and I are both 69) we can appreciate what you may be feeling. We wish we could say that it gets better, but for us, it truly takes away a part of your life with each loss. Helping the next dog find a permanent home is one of the best ways to honor your lost friend. Good luck to you and thank you for sharing Cookie with us.
Thank you for sharing, Chris. I appreciate your kind words.
I’m so sorry for you, but also so happy that you had such beautiful memories with Cookie. The beautiful thing about those we love is that they are always with us, even when we are not with them anymore. They will forever be a part of who we are, which is why it hurts so much when they are gone. Wishing you the best, especially in this time of difficulty.
Sending comfort and love your way! What a wonderful story about your life with Cookie.
Kate; Thank you for sharing about your lovebug Cookie. It made me cry to read your words about your long and amazing relationship together. I totally get it. I have a 14 yr old giant schnauzer, Eloise, who is my Cookie. I know that her days are numbered and so they are so much more precious in every way. The love that a dog gives is unconditional and uncomplicated. I am sending love to you and hoping that the hole in your heart will soften. Cookie crossed the Rainbow Bridge and is free of pain, but will always be with you. Kristine
I’m so sorry for your loss! Rest in peace, Cookie. ❤️
Oh Kate, I am so very sorry. You and Cookie have been a presence in my kitchen for the past 8 years, and her sweet face on your website and cookbook always makes me smile. It’s an honor to care for a precious pet as they age, and help them cross the rainbow bridge. Cookie was so very lucky to have you. Lots of love to you.
I am so sorry to hear about Cookie’s going. All my thoughts and sympathy.And all my fellow feeling.
I am so very sorry for your loss. I don’t want to imagine how heartbroken you are as I can’t think of saying goodbye to my own beloved dog. Dogs crawl in and occupy a very special place in our hearts and Cookie sounded like an incredibly loved dog. I hope you can soon remember all the joyful times as your heart starts to mend a little. Run free over the rainbow bridge Cookie.
What a wonderful tribute to Cookie! She seemed like a lovely companion, and you were fortunate to have each other for the time that you did. May memories of her continue to bring you comfort.
So sorry for your loss, but happy that Cookie gave so many wonderful memories.
What a beautiful tribute to your sweet Cookie! You clearly shared a bond that cannot be broken.
I am so sorry. We never have our fur babies long enough. It’s so hard saying goodbye. May you hold Cookie near to your heart through many treasured memories.
Dear Kate,
Thanks so much for all the delicious recipes. My family loves them all. You have made a healthy difference in the way I cook by introducing me to so many wonderful muffins and soups.
Also, wanted to express our condolences to you. Cookie certainly had a wonderful soulmate to share live with.
Vicki
Godspeed to Cookie as she crosses the rainbow bridge. It is amazing what a hole they leave in our hearts when they go – but how lucky we were to have them. Your tribute to her is beautiful. Wishing you and your family peace and many fond memories of Cookie.
Awww, Cookie will be missed. So sorry for your loss. One of my best friends lost her dog recently, also because of old age, so I’m really glad that I still have my puppy with me right now.